Chloral Hydrate
- Atc Codes:N05CC01
- CAS Codes:302-17-0
- PHARMGKB ID:302-17-0
Table of contents
- Brand Names
- Drug Combinations
- Chemistry
- Pharmacologic Category
- Mechanism of Action
- Therapeutic Use
- Pregnancy and Lactation Implications
- Contraindications
- Warnings and Precautions
- Adverse Reactions
- Toxicological Effects
- Genes that may be involved
- Drug Interactions
- Nutrition/Nutraceutical Interactions
- Dosage
- Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
- Special Considerations
Brand Names
Europe
Germany: Chloraldurat, Chloralhydrat.
North America
Canada: Chloral Hydrate; USA: Aquachloral Supertez, Somnote.
Asia
Japan: Escre.
Drug combinations
Chloral Hydrate, Boric Acid, Phenol, and Sodium Fluoride
Chemistry
Chloral Hydrate: C~2~H~3~Cl~3~O~2~. Mw: 165.40. 1,1-Ethanediol, 2,2,2-trichloro-. CAS-302-17-0.
Pharmacologic Category
Anxiolytics, Sedatives, and Hypnotics; Miscellaneous. Nonbenzodiazepine Hypnotic-Sedative. (ATC-Code: N05CC01).
Mechanism of action
Hypnotic doses produce mild cerebral depression and quiet, deep sleep. Higher doses may lead to general anesthesia and concurrent depression of respiratory and vasomotor centers. Sedative or hypnotic doses have little anticonvulsant activity. Has little analgesic activity and may produce excitement or delirium in the presence of pain. Central nervous system depressant effects are primarily due to its active metabolite trichloroethanol (mechanism unknown). In neonates, chloral hydrate itself may play a role in the immediate sedative effects.
Therapeutic use
Short-term sedative and hypnotic (<2 weeks). Sedative/hypnotic for diagnostic procedures (EEG, CT scan, MRI, ophthalmic exam, dental procedure).
Pregnancy and lactiation implications
Use with caution during pregnancy. Compatible with breast-feeding.
Unlabeled use
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to chloral hydrate or any component of the formulation. Hepatic or renal impairment. Gastritis or ulcers. Severe cardiac disease.
Warnings and precautions
Use with caution in porphyria. Considered a second line hypnotic agent in the elderly. Tolerance to hypnotic effect develops (not recommended for use >2 weeks). Trichloroethanol, a metabolite of chloral hydrate, is a carcinogen in mice. Abrupt discontinuance may lead to withdrawal symptoms. May cause false-positive urine glucose. May interfere with fluorometric urine catecholamine and urinary 17-hydroxycorticosteroid tests. Deaths and permanent neurologic injury from respiratory compromise reported in children sedated with chloral hydrate. The 325 mg suppositories contain tartrazine, which may cause allergic reactions. Syrup may contain sodium benzoate (risk of «gasping syndrome» in neonates).