CHLORAL HYDRATE

Indications & Dose:

Insomnia (short-term use) using Chloral Mixture, BP 2000

•  BY MOUTH USING ORAL SOLUTION

Adult: 0.5–2 g daily, dose to be taken at bedtime

Insomnia (short-term use), using chloral hydrate 143.3 mg/5 ml oral solution

•  BY MOUTH USING ORAL SOLUTION

Adult: 15–30 mL, alternatively 430–860 mg once daily, dose to be taken with water or milk at bedtime; maximum 70 mL per day; maximum 2 g per day Insomnia (short-term use), using chloral betaine 707 mg (:414 mg chloral hydrate) tablets

• BY MOUTH USING TABLETS

Adult: 1–2 tablets, alternatively 414–828 mg once daily, dose to be taken with water or milk at bedtime; maximum 4 tablets per day; maximum 2 g per day 

Contraindications:

Severe cardiac disease, gastritis, acute porphyria 

Side Effects:

Cautions:

Precautions:

Reduce dose in elderly and debilitated avoid prolong use (and abrupt withdrawal thereafter) 

Interaction:

Drugs

CNS depressants: Increased CNS effects of chloral hydrate

furosemide (I. V.): Increased adverse effects when given after chloral hydrate phenytoin: Increased excretion and decreased effectiveness of phenytoin warfarin: Transient increase in anticoagulant effect 

Warnings:

Adverse Effects:

Lactations:

Caution advised. 

Special Precautions:

Counselling:

Side Effects Or Adverse Reactions:

Gastric irritation, abdominal distension, flatulence, headache, dependence excitment, delirium, ketourea and rash 

CNS: Ataxia, disorientation, hangover, incoherence, paranoia, somnolence

GI: Gastric irritation, nausea, vomiting

SKIN: Rash, urticaria

Other: Drug dependence 

Patient And Carer Advice: