PARALDEHYDE

Brand & Generic Names

Paral

Basic Information

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

Uses

• Treats convulsions.
• Treats toxic symptoms caused by drugs that may produce convulsions.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Follow doctor's instructions.
May be given orally, rectally or by injection into a muscle.

When to take:
Follow doctor's instructions.

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:
Depresses central nervous system.

Time lapse before drug works:
Oral--30 minutes to 1 hour.
Rectal--2 to 3 hours.

Don't take with:
Any other medicines (including over-the-counter drugs such as cough and cold medicines, laxatives, antacids, diet pills, caffeine, nose drops or vitamins) without consulting your doctor.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Decreased urination, breathing difficulty, confusion, slow heartbeat, weakness.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose Section.

Common:

• Skin rash, jaundice (yellow skin and eyes).
• Drowsiness, nausea, halitosis.

Infrequent:

Clumsiness, dizziness, headache.

Rare:

Abdominal cramps.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You know you are allergic to paraldehyde.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have chronic lung disease.
• If you have history of drug abuse.
• If you have liver disease.
• If you have peptic ulcer.
• If you have colitis.

Over age 60:
No special problems expected.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Effect not documented. Consult your doctor.

Infants & children:
No special problems expected.

Prolonged use:

• May be habit forming.
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check liver function.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Avoid if you feel confused, drowsy or dizzy.

Discontinuing:
May develop withdrawal symptoms, such as: convulsions, hallucinations, sweating, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting, trembling. If you experience any of these, notify your doctor right away.

Others:

• Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you take this medicine.
• May affect results in some medical tests.
• Strong odor of paraldehyde on breath lasts for 24 hours.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Central nervous system	Possible oversedation. Avoid
(CNS) depressants, other*	simultaneous use.
Clozapine	Toxic effect on the central nervous
	system.
Disulfiram	Increased paraldehyde effect. Avoid
	simultaneous use.
Sertraline	Increased depressive effects of
	both drugs.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Dangerous sedation. Avoid.
Beverages:	No special problems expected.
Cocaine:	No special problems expected.
Foods:	No special problems expected.
Marijuana:	No special problems expected.
Tobacco:	No special problems expected.