$Unique_ID{BRK01873}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{CHLORAL HYDRATE}
$Subject{Aquachloral Supprettes (Webcon)
chloral hydrate (various manufacturers)
Noctec (Squibb)}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


CHLORAL HYDRATE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     Aquachloral Supprettes (Webcon)
     chloral hydrate (various manufacturers)
     Noctec (Squibb)
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.
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, kidney disease,
liver disease, or porphyria.
     * If this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any
activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car.
     * 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.
Tolerance 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 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.  If it is used for prolonged periods
during the last three months of pregnancy, there is a chance that the infant
will be born addicted to the medication and will experience a withdrawal
reaction (convulsions and irritability) at birth.  Also, tell your doctor if
you are breast-feeding an infant.  Small amounts of chloral hydrate 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.
