Chloral Hydrate
Frequently Asked Questions
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Chloral Hydrate Capsules
What do chloral hydrate capsules do?
Chloral Hydrate has two main actions. As a sedative it can relieve tension or anxiety, and may be used with pain killers to reduce pain and anxiety after surgery.
As a hypnotic chloral hydrate can help you to sleep, but should only be used as a short-term treatment for insomnia (difficulty sleeping). Chloral hydrate can be given before surgery or dental procedures, especially to children. Tolerance to the effects of chloral hydrate develops quickly, limiting treatment periods to two weeks or less.
Federal law prohibits the transfer of chloral hydrate to any person other than the patient for whom it was prescribed. Generic chloral hydrate capsules are available.
What should my health care professional know before I take chloral hydrate?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- a drug or alcohol abuse problem
- heart disease
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- mental depression
- porphyria
- stomach or intestinal disease or digestive problems
- an unusual or allergic reaction to chloral hydrate, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Take chloral hydrate capsules by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label.
Swallow the capsules whole with a full glass of water or other liquid, such as fruit juice or ginger ale. Do not crush or chew the capsules because the contents may have an unpleasant taste.
Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
What if I miss a dose?
This will not apply if you are taking chloral hydrate before a special procedure.
If you are taking chloral hydrate regularly and miss a dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule with the next dose.
Do not take double or extra doses.
What other medicines can interact with chloral hydrate?
- alcohol
- barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures
- disulfiram
- furosemide
- medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems, such as diazepam or temazepam
- medicines for hay fever and other allergies
- medicines for mental depression
- medicines for mental problems and psychotic disturbances
- medicines for pain
- warfarin
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products.
Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs.
These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from taking chloral hydrate?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
- confusion
- difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- extreme irritability or unusual excitement
- fever, chills, or sore throat
- hallucinations, nightmares
- irregular heart beat
- skin rash and itching (hives)
- slurred speech
- slow reflexes
- staggering, tremors
- unusual weakness or tiredness
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- diarrhea
- dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, or hangover
- nausea, vomiting
- stomach upset
What do I need to watch for while I take chloral hydrate? Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress.
If you have been taking chloral hydrate regularly for a few weeks and suddenly stop taking it, you may get unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
Your prescriber or health care professional may want to gradually reduce the dose. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.
After taking chloral hydrate you may get a residual hangover effect that leaves you drowsy or dizzy. Until you know how chloral hydrate affects you, do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness.
To reduce dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol can increase possible unpleasant effects. It is not safe to drink alcohol while taking chloral hydrate.
While you are taking chloral hydrate, do not take any medicines for hay fever, allergies, or pain without asking your prescriber or health care professional for advice.
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Chloral Hydrate Oral Syrup
What does chloral hydrate oral syrup do?
Chloral Hydrate has two main actions. As a sedative it can relieve tension or anxiety, and may be used with pain killers to reduce pain and anxiety after surgery.
As a hypnotic chloral hydrate can help you to sleep, but should only be used as a short-term treatment for insomnia (difficulty sleeping). Chloral hydrate can be given before surgery or dental procedures, especially to children.
Tolerance to the effects of chloral hydrate develops quickly, limiting treatment periods to two weeks or less. Federal law prohibits the transfer of chloral hydrate to any person other than the patient for whom it was prescribed. Generic chloral hydrate oral syrup is available.
What should my health care professional know before I take chloral hydrate?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- a drug or alcohol abuse problem
- heart disease
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- mental depression
- porphyria
- stomach or intestinal disease or digestive problems
- an unusual or allergic reaction to chloral hydrate, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Take chloral hydrate oral syrup by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Shake well before using.
Use a specially marked spoon or container to measure your medicine. Ask your prescriber or health care professional if you do not have one; household spoons are not always accurate. Mix the measured dose in water, juice, or ginger ale to improve the taste.
Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
What if I miss a dose?
This will not apply if you are taking chloral hydrate before a special procedure.
If you are taking chloral hydrate regularly and miss a dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule with the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What other medicines can interact with chloral hydrate?
- alcohol
- barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures (convulsions)
- disulfiram
- furosemide
- medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems, such as diazepam or temazepam
- medicines for hay fever and other allergies
- medicines for mental depression
- medicines for mental problems and psychotic disturbances
- medicines for pain
- warfarin
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products.
Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs.
These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from taking chloral hydrate?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
- confusion
- difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- extreme irritability or unusual excitement
- fever, chills, or sore throat
- hallucinations, nightmares
- irregular heart beat
- skin rash and itching (hives)
- slurred speech
- slow reflexes
- staggering, tremors
- unusual weakness or tiredness
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- diarrhea
- dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, or hangover
- nausea, vomiting
- stomach upset
What do I need to watch for while I take chloral hydrate? Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress.
If you have been taking chloral hydrate regularly for a few weeks and suddenly stop taking it, you may get unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
Your prescriber or health care professional may want to gradually reduce the dose. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.
After taking chloral hydrate you may get a residual hangover effect that leaves you drowsy or dizzy. Until you know how chloral hydrate affects you, do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness.
To reduce dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol can increase possible unpleasant effects. It is not safe to drink alcohol while taking chloral hydrate.
While you are taking chloral hydrate, do not take any medicines for hay fever, allergies, or pain without asking your prescriber or health care professional for advice.
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Chloral Hydrate Suppositories
What do I need to watch for while I use chloral hydrate?
Chloral hydrate suppositories are not generally for use on a regular basis.
After using chloral hydrate you may get a residual hangover effect that leaves you drowsy or dizzy. Until you know how chloral hydrate affects you, do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness.
To reduce dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol can increase possible unpleasant effects. It is not safe to drink alcohol while using chloral hydrate.
While you are using chloral hydrate, do not take any medicines for hay fever, allergies, or pain without asking your prescriber or health care professional for advice.
What should my health care professional know before I take chloral hydrate?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- a drug or alcohol abuse problem
- heart disease
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- mental depression
- porphyria
- stomach or intestinal disease or digestive problems
- an unusual or allergic reaction to chloral hydrate, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Chloral hydrate suppositories are put into the rectum (back passage). Do not take by mouth. Wash your hands. Take off the foil wrapping.
Wet the tip of the suppository with water to make it easier to use. Lie on your side and raise your knee to your chest. Using your finger, gently push the suppository into the rectum. Hold it in place for a few minutes. Wash your hands. Use your doses at regular intervals. Do not use your medicine more often than directed.
Do Not Fart for at least half an hour after taking this medicine.
What if I miss a dose?
This will not apply if you are taking chloral hydrate before a special procedure.
What other medicines can interact with chloral hydrate?
- alcohol
- barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures (convulsions)
- disulfiram
- furosemide
- medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems, such as diazepam or temazepam
- medicines for hay fever and other allergies
- medicines for mental depression
- medicines for mental problems and psychotic disturbances
- medicines for pain
- warfarin
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products.
Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs.
These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from taking chloral hydrate?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
- confusion
- difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- extreme irritability or unusual excitement
- fever, chills, or sore throat
- hallucinations, nightmares
- irregular heart beat
- skin rash and itching (hives)
- slurred speech
- slow reflexes
- staggering, tremors
- unusual weakness or tiredness
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- diarrhea
- dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, or hangover
- diarrhea
- nausea, vomiting
What do I need to watch for while I take chloral hydrate? Your underwear, things can get really messy.
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
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