How should I take chloral hydrate?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from
this medication.
Chloral hydrate should be given only for a short time, such as 2 to 7 days in a row.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Measure the liquid form of chloral hydrate with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup,
not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where
you can get one. Dilute the liquid medicine with water, fruit juice, milk, or ginger ale to make it
easier on your stomach.
If you take chloral hydrate as a sleep aid, take it just before bedtime.
If you take this medication as a sedative, take it after meals as directed by your
doctor.
Do not crush, chew, or open a chloral hydrate capsule. Swallow the pill whole.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any
doctor who treats you that you are using chloral hydrate.
Do not stop using chloral hydrate without first talking to your doctor. You may need
to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this
medicine. Symptoms of a chloral hydrate overdose may include extreme
drowsiness, nausea,
coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, shallow breathing, fainting, uneven
heartbeats, cold feeling,
muscle weakness, or
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
What should I avoid while taking chloral hydrate?
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.
What are the possible side effects of chloral hydrate?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
uneven heartbeats;
-
feeling light-headed, fainting;
-
shallow breathing;
-
weakness, lack of coordination; or
-
a red, blistering, peeling skin rash.
Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:
-
drowsiness, deep sleep;
-
headache, or hangover feeling;
-
nausea, vomiting, indigestion, gas, stomach pain;
-
redness or drooping of your eyelids;
-
excitement or confusion;
-
mild itching or skin rash; or
-
unpleasant taste in your mouth;
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Print
Email
Drug Info Tools
Medicare's drug plans are subsidized by the US federal government and offered through insurers.
