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03074.txt
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1994-01-17
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$Unique_ID{BRK03074}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{chloral hydrate}
$Subject{Aquachloral Supprettes Webcon Noctec Squibb Mark Sedative hypnotic
chloral hydrate sleeping aid insomnia anti-anxiety pain surgical procedures
central nervous system depressant}
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
chloral hydrate
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers)
Aquachloral Supprettes (Webcon)
chloral hydrate (various manufacturers)
Noctec (Squibb Mark)
TYPE OF DRUG
Sedative/hypnotic
INGREDIENT
chloral hydrate
DOSAGE FORMS
Capsules (250 mg and 500 mg)
Oral syrup (250 mg and 500 mg per 5-ml spoonful)
Suppositories (325 mg, 500 mg, and 650 mg)
STORAGE
Store at room temperature in a tightly closed, light-resistant container.
This medication should never be frozen. The suppositories should be kept in
the glass container in which they were dispensed.
USES
Chloral hydrate is used as a sleeping aid in the treatment of insomnia.
It is also used as an anti-anxiety or pain medication before or after surgical
procedures. Exactly how chloral hydrate works is not clearly understood, but
it is known to be a central nervous system depressant.
TREATMENT
Chloral hydrate should be taken 15 to 30 minutes before bedtime.
In order to prevent stomach irritation, you should take chloral hydrate
capsules with a full glass of water (unless your doctor directs you to do
otherwise). The capsules should be swallowed whole to avoid their bad taste.
Each dose of the oral syrup should be measured carefully with a specially
designed 5-ml measuring spoon. An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is not accurate
enough. The syrup should then be mixed with at least one-half glass (four
ounces) of a nonalcoholic beverage (to avoid stomach irritation and to mask
the taste).
To insert the suppository form of this medication, first unwrap it and
moisten it slightly with water (if the suppository is too soft, run cold water
over it or refrigerate it for 30 minutes before you unwrap it). Lie down on
your left side with your right knee bent. Push the suppository well into the
rectum with your finger. Try to avoid having a bowel movement for at least an
hour.
The use of this drug as a sleeping aid should be limited to two weeks.
After that period, chloral hydrate loses its ability to induce and sustain
sleep.
SIDE EFFECTS
Minor.
Diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness during the day, gas, headache, nausea,
stomach irritation, unpleasant taste in the mouth, or vomiting. These side
effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.
If you feel dizzy or light-headed, sit or lie down for a while; get up
slowly from a sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.
Major.
Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
confusion, difficulty in breathing, disorientation, excitation, fatigue,
feeling faint, hallucinations, hives or itching, loss of coordination,
nightmares, skin rash, or yellowing of the eyes or skin.
INTERACTIONS
Chloral hydrate interacts with a number of other types of medications:
1. Concurrent use of chloral hydrate with other central nervous system
depressants (such as alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers,
muscle relaxants, narcotics, pain medications, phenothiazine tranquilizers,
and other sleeping medications) or with tricyclic antidepressants can lead to
extreme drowsiness.
2. Chloral hydrate can increase the effects of oral anti-coagulants
(blood thinners, such as warfarin), which can lead to bleeding complications.
BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
taking, especially any listed above.
WARNINGS
* Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to chloral hydrate or to triclofos.
* Before starting to take this medication, be sure to tell your doctor if
you now have or if you have ever had gastritis, heart disease, inflammation of
the esophagus, bowel, or rectum, kidney disease, liver disease, porphyria, or
ulcers.
* If this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any
activity that requires alertness, such as driving an automobile or operating
dangerous machinery or equipment.
* Some dosage forms of this drug contain the color additive FD&C Yellow
No. 5 (tartrazine), which can cause allergic-type reactions (shortness of
breath, fainting, rash) in susceptible individuals.
* This drug has the potential for abuse and must be used with caution. A
tolerance to this medication develops quickly; do not increase the dosage or
stop taking this drug unless you first consult your doctor. If you have been
taking chloral hydrate for a long time or have been taking large doses, you
may experience anxiety, muscle twitching, tremors, weakness, dizziness,
nausea, vomiting, insomnia, or blurred vision when you stop taking it. Your
doctor may, therefore, want to reduce your dosage of this medication
gradually.
* Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Although extensive
studies in animals and humans have not been conducted, it is known that
chloral hydrate crosses the placenta. Therefore, if it is used for prolonged
periods during the last three months of pregnancy, there exists the
possibility that the infant will be born with an addiction to the medication
and will experience a withdrawal reaction (convulsions and irritability) at
birth. Also, be sure to tell your doctor if you are currently breast-feeding
an infant. Small amounts of chloral hydrate are known to pass into breast
milk and may cause excessive drowsiness in the nursing infant.
----------------
The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.