About chloral hydrate
Sedative-hypnotic
Used for
- Short-term treatment of insomnia
- Sedation before medical or dental procedures
Usual adult dose
Insomnia: 500 mg to 1 g by mouth at bedtime. Procedural sedation: dose varies by setting.
Usual dose in children
For procedural sedation only: dosing is weight-based and must be set by a clinician.
Common side effects
- Drowsiness and dizziness
- Nausea, vomiting, or stomach irritation
- Unsteadiness or confusion
- Slow or shallow breathing
Important warnings
- Can cause dependence and serious overdose; use only as prescribed.
- Avoid alcohol and other medicines that cause drowsiness.
- Not suitable for prolonged insomnia treatment.
- Use cautiously with breathing problems, liver disease, or kidney disease.
Pregnancy
Use is generally avoided unless a clinician determines benefits outweigh risks; human safety information is limited.
Breastfeeding
May cause sedation in a nursing infant; breastfeeding use requires clinician guidance.
Interactions
- Alcohol and opioids can dangerously increase sedation and breathing suppression.
- Sedatives, sleeping medicines, and some antihistamines increase drowsiness.
- Warfarin effects may be altered; monitoring may be needed.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.