Chloral Hydrate

Chloral hydrate, a sedative, is used in the short-term treatment of insomnia (to help you fall asleep and stay asleep for a proper rest) and to relieve anxiety and induce sleep before surgery. It is also used after surgery for pain and to treat alcohol withdrawal. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Chloral hydrate comes as a capsule and liquid to take by mouth and as a suppository to insert rectally. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take chloral hydrate exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. The liquid should be added to a half glass of water, fruit juice, or ginger ale and you should drink it immediately. Swallow the capsule whole with a full glass of water or fruit juice; do not chew the capsule. To use the suppository, follow these steps:

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Remove the wrapper.</li>
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Dip the tip of the suppository in water.</li>
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Lie down on your left side and raise your right knee to your chest. (A left-handed person should lie on the right side and raise the left knee.)</li>
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Using your finger, insert the suppository into the rectum, about 1/2 to 1 inch (1.25 to 2.5 centimeters) in infants and children and 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) in adults. Hold it in place for a few moments.</li>
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Stand up after about 15 minutes. Wash your hands thoroughly and resume your normal activities.</li></ul> Chloral hydrate can be habit-forming; do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or for a longer period than your doctor tells you to. Continue to take chloral hydrate even if you feel well. Do not stop taking chloral hydrate without talking to your doctor, especially if you have taken large doses for a long time. Your doctor probably will decrease your dose gradually.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Chloral hydrate may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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drowsiness</li>
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upset stomach</li>
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vomiting</li>
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diarrhea</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

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skin rash</li>
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itching</li>
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confusion</li>
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difficulty breathing</li>
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slow heartbeat</li>
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extreme tiredness</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking chloral hydrate, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to chloral hydrate, aspirin, tartrazine (a yellow dye in some processed foods and drugs), or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), antihistamines, furosemide (Lasix), medications for depression or seizures, sedatives, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, and vitamins. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease, heart or stomach problems, a history of alcohol or drug abuse, or asthma. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking chloral hydrate. you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you. remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.