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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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What other drugs will affect 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. There may be other drugs not listed that can affect chloral hydrate. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Chloral hydrate has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. Animal studies have not been reported. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. The drug has been reported to cross the placenta and may be found in the amniotic fluid and the fetal blood. Chloral hydrate should be given during pregnancy when need has been clearly established.

Chloral hydrate is excreted into human milk. Caution is recommended if the drug is to be administered to a nursing woman.

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What does my medication look like?
Chloral hydrate is available with a prescription under the brand name Somnote. Other brand or generic forms may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

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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).

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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.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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