What is the most important information I should know about chloral hydrate?
Before taking chloral hydrate, tell your doctor if you are using a blood thinner such as
warfarin (Coumadin). If you are using a blood thinner, you may not be able to take chloral
hydrate, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
Chloral hydrate should be given only for a short time, such as 2 to 7 days in a row.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: uneven
heartbeats,
shallow breathing, feeling light-headed, fainting, weakness,
lack of coordination, or a
red, blistering, peeling
skin rash.
Avoid
drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of chloral
hydrate.
Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain
medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to
sleepiness caused by chloral hydrate.
Chloral hydrate can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be
careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
This medication may be habit-forming. You may have severe or life-threatening
withdrawal symptoms when you stop using chloral hydrate after using it for 2 weeks or longer.
Do not stop using this medication suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to
gradually reduce the dose.
What is chloral hydrate?
Chloral hydrate is a hypnotic and a sedative medication that slows the activity of your
central nervous system. Chloral hydrate has both fast-acting and long-lasting sedative effects.
Chloral hydrate is for short-term use as a sedative or sleep medicine. It is sometimes
given before a surgery to help you relax.
Chloral hydrate may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication
guide.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking chloral hydrate?
Do not use this medication if you have severe
kidney or
liver disease.
Before taking chloral hydrate, tell your doctor if you have:
-
heart disease or heart rhythm problems;
-
ulcer, colitis, or other stomach disorders;
-
adenoids, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders;
-
porphyria;
-
depression or mental illness;
-
thoughts of suicide; or
-
a history of drug abuse or dependence.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use chloral
hydrate, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Chloral hydrate can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use
this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
This medication may be habit-forming. You may have severe or life-threatening
withdrawal symptoms when you stop using chloral hydrate after using it for 2 weeks or longer.
Do not stop using this medication suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to
gradually reduce the dose.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the sedative effects of chloral hydrate.
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