CHLORAL HYDRATE

Brand & Generic Names

Aquachloral
Noctec
Novochlorhydrate

Basic Information

• Habit forming? Yes
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Hypnotic

Uses

• Reduces anxiety.
• Relieves insomnia.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Syrup or capsule--Swallow with milk or food to lessen stomach irritation.
Suppositories--Remove wrapper and moisten suppository with water. Gently insert larger end into rectum. Push well into rectum with finger.

When to take:
At the same time each day.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Affects brain centers that control wakefulness and alertness.

Time lapse before drug works:
30 to 60 minutes.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Confusion, weakness, breathing difficulty, throat irritation, jaundice, stagger, slow or irregular heartbeat, unconsciousness, convulsions, coma.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• If patient is unconscious and not breathing, give mouth-to- mouth breathing. If there is no heartbeat, use cardiac massage and mouth-to-mouth breathing (CPR). Don't try to make patient vomit. If you can't get help quickly, take patient to nearest emergency facility.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

Nausea, stomach pain, vomiting.

Infrequent:

"Hangover" effect, clumsiness or unsteadiness, drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, diarrhea.

Rare:

• Hallucinations, agitation, confusion, leukopenia (white blood cells causing sore throat and fever).
• Hives, rash.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to chloral hydrate.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have had liver, kidney or heart trouble.
• If you are prone to stomach upsets (if medicine is in oral form).
• If you are allergic to tartrazine dye.
• If you have colitis or a rectal inflammation (if medicine is in suppository form).

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons. More likely to have "hangover" effect.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Unborn child may become addicted to drug. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug filters into milk. May harm child. Avoid.

Infants & children:
Use only under medical supervision.

Prolonged use:
Addiction and possible kidney damage.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, pain medicine, narcotics and mind-altering drugs.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.

Others:
Frequent kidney-function tests recommended when drug is used for long time.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Anticoagulants*,	Possible hemorrhaging.
Antidepressants*	Increased chloral hydrate effect.
Antihistamines*	Increased chloral hydrate effect.
Clozapine	Toxic effect on the central nervous
	system.
Ethinamate	Dangerous increased effects of
	ethinamate. Avoid combining.
Fluoxetine	Increased depressant effects of
	both drugs.
Guanfacine	May increase depressant effects of
	either drug.
Leucovorin	High alcohol content of leucovorin
	may cause adverse effects.
MAO inhibitors*	Increased chloral hydrate effect.
Methyprylon	Increased sedative effect, perhaps
	to dangerous level. Avoid.
Mind-altering drugs*	Increased chloral hydrate effect.
Molindone	Increased tranquilizer effect.
Nabilone	Greater depression of central
	nervous system.
Narcotics*	Increased chloral hydrate effect.
Pain relievers*	Increased chloral hydrate effect.
Phenothiazines*	Increased chloral hydrate effect.
Sedatives*	Increased chloral hydrate effect.
Sertraline	Increased depressive effects of both
	drugs.
Sleep inducers*	Increased chloral hydrate effect.
Tranquilizers*	Increased chloral hydrate effect.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Increased sedative effect of both.
	Avoid.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	Decreased chloral hydrate effect.
	Avoid.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	May severely impair mental and
	physical functioning. Avoid.
Tobacco:	None expected.