Dosing & Uses
Dosage Forms & Strengths
capsule: Schedule IV
- 500mg
syrup: Schedule IV
- 500mg/5mL
Insomnia
Indicated for use as hypnotic for simple insomnia; rarely used for this indication
500 mg to 1 g PO 15-30 minutes before bedtime; for short-term use only (ie, up to 2 weeks); not to exceed 2 g/24hr
Sedative/Anxiety
250 mg PO PC q8hr; not to exceed 2 g/day
Renal Impairment
Contraindicated in moderate-severe renal impairment
Hepatic Impairment
Contraindicated in moderate-severe hepatic impairment
Administration
Upon discontinuation withdraw gradually over 2 weeks if patient maintained on high doses for prolong periods of time; abrupt discontinuation may result in delirium
Dosage Forms & Strengths
capsule: Schedule IV
- 500mg
syrup: Schedule IV
- 500mg/5mL
Sedation for Procedures (Off-label)
50-75 mg/kg PO 30-60 min before procedure; may repeat in 30 min if necessary
Not to exceed 120 mg/kg or 1 g/dose in infants or 2 g/dose in children
Sedation/Anxiety (Off-label)
May be used prior to procedure or EEG evaluation
25-50 mg/kg/day PO divided q6-8hr; not to exceed 500 mg/dose
Interactions
Interaction Checker
No Results

Contraindicated
Serious - Use Alternative
Significant - Monitor Closely
Minor

Contraindicated (2)
- calcium/magnesium/potassium/sodium oxybates
chloral hydrate, calcium/magnesium/potassium/sodium oxybates. Either increases effects of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Contraindicated. Coadministration with alcohol or sedative hypnotics are contraindicated because of additive CNS depression.
- sodium oxybate
chloral hydrate, sodium oxybate. Either increases effects of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Contraindicated. Coadministration with alcohol or sedative hypnotics are contraindicated because of additive CNS depression.
Serious - Use Alternative (13)
- benzhydrocodone/acetaminophen
benzhydrocodone/acetaminophen, chloral hydrate. Either increases toxicity of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death may result if coadministered. Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs in patients for whom other treatment options are inadequate. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required. Monitor closely for signs of respiratory depression and sedation.
- fentanyl
fentanyl, chloral hydrate. Either increases effects of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Coadministration with other CNS depressants, such as skeletal muscle relaxants, may cause respiratory depression, hypotension, profound sedation, coma, and/or death. Consider dose reduction of either or both agents to avoid serious adverse effects. Monitor for hypotension, respiratory depression, and profound sedation.
- fentanyl intranasal
fentanyl intranasal, chloral hydrate. Either increases effects of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Coadministration with other CNS depressants, such as skeletal muscle relaxants, may cause respiratory depression, hypotension, profound sedation, coma, and/or death. Consider dose reduction of either or both agents to avoid serious adverse effects. Monitor for hypotension, respiratory depression, and profound sedation.
- fentanyl transdermal
fentanyl transdermal, chloral hydrate. Either increases effects of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Coadministration with other CNS depressants, such as skeletal muscle relaxants, may cause respiratory depression, hypotension, profound sedation, coma, and/or death. Consider dose reduction of either or both agents to avoid serious adverse effects. Monitor for hypotension, respiratory depression, and profound sedation.
- fentanyl transmucosal
fentanyl transmucosal, chloral hydrate. Either increases effects of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Coadministration with other CNS depressants, such as skeletal muscle relaxants, may cause respiratory depression, hypotension, profound sedation, coma, and/or death. Consider dose reduction of either or both agents to avoid serious adverse effects. Monitor for hypotension, respiratory depression, and profound sedation.
- hydrocodone
hydrocodone, chloral hydrate. Either increases toxicity of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death may result if coadministered. Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs in patients for whom other treatment options are inadequate. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required. Monitor closely for signs of respiratory depression and sedation.
- lemborexant
lemborexant, chloral hydrate. Either increases effects of the other by sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Use of lemborexant with other drugs to treat insomnia is not recommended.
- mefloquine
mefloquine increases toxicity of chloral hydrate by QTc interval. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Mefloquine may enhance the QTc prolonging effect of high risk QTc prolonging agents.
- metoclopramide intranasal
chloral hydrate, metoclopramide intranasal. Either increases effects of the other by Other (see comment). Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Comment: Avoid use of metoclopramide intranasal or interacting drug, depending on importance of drug to patient.
- olopatadine intranasal
chloral hydrate and olopatadine intranasal both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Coadministration increases risk of CNS depression, which can lead to additive impairment of psychomotor performance and cause daytime impairment.
- selinexor
selinexor, chloral hydrate. unspecified interaction mechanism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Patients treated with selinexor may experience neurological toxicities. Avoid taking selinexor with other medications that may cause dizziness or confusion.
- sufentanil SL
sufentanil SL, chloral hydrate. Either increases toxicity of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Coadministration may result in hypotension, profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs in patients for whom other treatment options are inadequate. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required. Monitor closely for signs of respiratory depression and sedation.
- valerian
valerian and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug.
Monitor Closely (190)
- albuterol
chloral hydrate increases and albuterol decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- alfentanil
chloral hydrate and alfentanil both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- alprazolam
alprazolam and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- amitriptyline
chloral hydrate and amitriptyline both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- amobarbital
amobarbital and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- amoxapine
chloral hydrate and amoxapine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- apomorphine
chloral hydrate and apomorphine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- arformoterol
chloral hydrate increases and arformoterol decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- aripiprazole
chloral hydrate and aripiprazole both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- armodafinil
chloral hydrate increases and armodafinil decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- azelastine
azelastine and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- baclofen
chloral hydrate and baclofen both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- belladonna and opium
chloral hydrate and belladonna and opium both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- benperidol
chloral hydrate and benperidol both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- benzphetamine
chloral hydrate increases and benzphetamine decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- brexanolone
brexanolone, chloral hydrate. Either increases toxicity of the other by sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- brompheniramine
brompheniramine and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- buprenorphine
chloral hydrate and buprenorphine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- buprenorphine buccal
chloral hydrate and buprenorphine buccal both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- buprenorphine, long-acting injection
chloral hydrate increases toxicity of buprenorphine, long-acting injection by pharmacodynamic synergism. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely. Coadministration of buprenorphine and benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants increases risk of adverse reactions including overdose, respiratory depression, and death. Cessation of benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants is preferred in most cases. In some cases, monitoring at a higher level of care for tapering CNS depressants may be appropriate. In others, gradually tapering a patient off of a prescribed benzodiazepine or other CNS depressant or decreasing to the lowest effective dose may be appropriate.
- butabarbital
butabarbital and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- butalbital
butalbital and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- butorphanol
chloral hydrate and butorphanol both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- caffeine
chloral hydrate increases and caffeine decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- carbinoxamine
carbinoxamine and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- carisoprodol
chloral hydrate and carisoprodol both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- cenobamate
cenobamate, chloral hydrate. Either increases effects of the other by sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- chlordiazepoxide
chlordiazepoxide and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- chlorpheniramine
chlorpheniramine and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- chlorpromazine
chloral hydrate and chlorpromazine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- chlorzoxazone
chloral hydrate and chlorzoxazone both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- cinnarizine
cinnarizine and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- clemastine
clemastine and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- clobazam
chloral hydrate, clobazam. Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Concomitant administration can increase the potential for CNS effects (e.g., increased sedation or respiratory depression).
- clomipramine
chloral hydrate and clomipramine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- clonazepam
clonazepam and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- clorazepate
clorazepate and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- clozapine
chloral hydrate and clozapine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- codeine
chloral hydrate and codeine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- cyclizine
cyclizine and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- cyclobenzaprine
chloral hydrate and cyclobenzaprine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- cyproheptadine
cyproheptadine and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- dantrolene
chloral hydrate and dantrolene both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- daridorexant
chloral hydrate and daridorexant both increase sedation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely. Coadministration increases risk of CNS depression, which can lead to additive impairment of psychomotor performance and cause daytime impairment.
- desipramine
chloral hydrate and desipramine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- deutetrabenazine
chloral hydrate and deutetrabenazine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- dexchlorpheniramine
dexchlorpheniramine and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- dexfenfluramine
chloral hydrate increases and dexfenfluramine decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- dexmedetomidine
chloral hydrate and dexmedetomidine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- dexmethylphenidate
chloral hydrate increases and dexmethylphenidate decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- dextroamphetamine
chloral hydrate increases and dextroamphetamine decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- dextromoramide
chloral hydrate and dextromoramide both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- diamorphine
chloral hydrate and diamorphine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- diazepam
diazepam and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- diazepam intranasal
diazepam intranasal, chloral hydrate. Either increases effects of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Coadministration may potentiate the CNS-depressant effects of each drug.
- diethylpropion
chloral hydrate increases and diethylpropion decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- difelikefalin
difelikefalin and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- difenoxin hcl
chloral hydrate and difenoxin hcl both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- dimenhydrinate
dimenhydrinate and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- diphenhydramine
diphenhydramine and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- diphenoxylate hcl
chloral hydrate and diphenoxylate hcl both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- dipipanone
chloral hydrate and dipipanone both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- dobutamine
chloral hydrate increases and dobutamine decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- dopamine
chloral hydrate increases and dopamine decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- dopexamine
chloral hydrate increases and dopexamine decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- dosulepin
chloral hydrate and dosulepin both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- doxepin
chloral hydrate and doxepin both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- doxylamine
chloral hydrate and doxylamine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- droperidol
chloral hydrate and droperidol both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- ephedrine
chloral hydrate increases and ephedrine decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- epinephrine
chloral hydrate increases and epinephrine decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- epinephrine racemic
chloral hydrate increases and epinephrine racemic decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- estazolam
estazolam and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- ethanol
chloral hydrate and ethanol both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- etomidate
etomidate and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- fenfluramine
chloral hydrate increases and fenfluramine decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- flibanserin
chloral hydrate and flibanserin both increase sedation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely. Risk for sedation increased if flibanserin is coadministration with other CNS depressants.
- fluphenazine
chloral hydrate and fluphenazine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- flurazepam
flurazepam and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- formoterol
chloral hydrate increases and formoterol decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- gabapentin
gabapentin, chloral hydrate. Either increases effects of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely. Coadministration of CNS depressants can result in serious, life-threatening, and fatal respiratory depression. Use lowest dose possible and monitor for respiratory depression and sedation.
- gabapentin enacarbil
gabapentin enacarbil, chloral hydrate. Either increases effects of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely. Coadministration of CNS depressants can result in serious, life-threatening, and fatal respiratory depression. Use lowest dose possible and monitor for respiratory depression and sedation.
- ganaxolone
chloral hydrate and ganaxolone both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- gotu kola
gotu kola increases effects of chloral hydrate by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. May enhance CNS depression.
- haloperidol
chloral hydrate and haloperidol both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- hawthorn
hawthorn increases effects of chloral hydrate by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. May enhance CNS depression.
- hops
hops increases effects of chloral hydrate by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. May enhance CNS depression.
- hydromorphone
chloral hydrate and hydromorphone both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- hydroxyzine
hydroxyzine and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- iloperidone
chloral hydrate and iloperidone both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- imipramine
chloral hydrate and imipramine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- isoproterenol
chloral hydrate increases and isoproterenol decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- kava
kava increases effects of chloral hydrate by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. May enhance CNS depression.
- ketamine
ketamine and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- ketotifen, ophthalmic
chloral hydrate and ketotifen, ophthalmic both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- lasmiditan
lasmiditan, chloral hydrate. Either increases effects of the other by sedation. Use Caution/Monitor. Coadministration of lasmiditan and other CNS depressant drugs, including alcohol have not been evaluated in clinical studies. Lasmiditan may cause sedation, as well as other cognitive and/or neuropsychiatric adverse reactions.
- levalbuterol
chloral hydrate increases and levalbuterol decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- levorphanol
chloral hydrate and levorphanol both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- lisdexamfetamine
chloral hydrate increases and lisdexamfetamine decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- lofepramine
chloral hydrate and lofepramine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- lofexidine
chloral hydrate and lofexidine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- loprazolam
loprazolam and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- lorazepam
lorazepam and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- lormetazepam
lormetazepam and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- loxapine
chloral hydrate and loxapine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- loxapine inhaled
chloral hydrate and loxapine inhaled both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- lurasidone
lurasidone, chloral hydrate. Either increases toxicity of the other by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Potential for increased CNS depressant effects when used concurrently; monitor for increased adverse effects and toxicity.
- maprotiline
chloral hydrate and maprotiline both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- marijuana
chloral hydrate and marijuana both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- melatonin
chloral hydrate and melatonin both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- meperidine
chloral hydrate and meperidine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- meprobamate
chloral hydrate and meprobamate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- metaproterenol
chloral hydrate increases and metaproterenol decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- metaxalone
chloral hydrate and metaxalone both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- methadone
chloral hydrate and methadone both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- methamphetamine
chloral hydrate increases and methamphetamine decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- methocarbamol
chloral hydrate and methocarbamol both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- methylenedioxymethamphetamine
chloral hydrate increases and methylenedioxymethamphetamine decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- midazolam
midazolam and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- midazolam intranasal
midazolam intranasal, chloral hydrate. Either increases effects of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely. Concomitant use of barbiturates, alcohol, or other CNS depressants may increase the risk of hypoventilation, airway obstruction, desaturation, or apnea and may contribute to profound and/or prolonged drug effect.
- midodrine
chloral hydrate increases and midodrine decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- mirtazapine
chloral hydrate and mirtazapine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- modafinil
chloral hydrate increases and modafinil decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- morphine
chloral hydrate and morphine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- motherwort
chloral hydrate and motherwort both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- moxonidine
chloral hydrate and moxonidine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- nabilone
chloral hydrate and nabilone both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- nalbuphine
chloral hydrate and nalbuphine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- norepinephrine
chloral hydrate increases and norepinephrine decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- nortriptyline
chloral hydrate and nortriptyline both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- olanzapine
chloral hydrate and olanzapine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- oliceridine
oliceridine, chloral hydrate. Either increases toxicity of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely. Profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death may result if coadministered. Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs in patients for whom other treatment options are inadequate. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required. Monitor closely for signs of respiratory depression and sedation.
- opium tincture
chloral hydrate and opium tincture both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- orphenadrine
chloral hydrate and orphenadrine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- oxazepam
oxazepam and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- oxycodone
chloral hydrate and oxycodone both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- oxymorphone
chloral hydrate and oxymorphone both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- paliperidone
chloral hydrate and paliperidone both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- papaveretum
chloral hydrate and papaveretum both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- papaverine
chloral hydrate and papaverine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- passion flower
passion flower increases effects of chloral hydrate by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. May enhance CNS depression.
- pentazocine
chloral hydrate and pentazocine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- pentobarbital
pentobarbital and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- perphenazine
chloral hydrate and perphenazine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- phendimetrazine
chloral hydrate increases and phendimetrazine decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- phenobarbital
phenobarbital and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- phentermine
chloral hydrate increases and phentermine decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- phenylephrine
chloral hydrate increases and phenylephrine decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- phenylephrine PO
chloral hydrate increases and phenylephrine PO decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor. .
- pholcodine
chloral hydrate and pholcodine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- pimozide
chloral hydrate and pimozide both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- pirbuterol
chloral hydrate increases and pirbuterol decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- pregabalin
pregabalin, chloral hydrate. Either increases effects of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely. Coadministration of CNS depressants can result in serious, life-threatening, and fatal respiratory depression. Use lowest dose possible and monitor for respiratory depression and sedation.
- primidone
primidone and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- prochlorperazine
chloral hydrate and prochlorperazine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- promethazine
promethazine and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- propofol
propofol and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- propylhexedrine
chloral hydrate increases and propylhexedrine decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- protriptyline
chloral hydrate and protriptyline both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- quazepam
quazepam and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- quetiapine
chloral hydrate and quetiapine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- ramelteon
chloral hydrate and ramelteon both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- remimazolam
remimazolam, chloral hydrate. Either increases toxicity of the other by sedation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely. Coadministration may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and/or death. Continuously monitor vital signs during sedation and recovery period if coadministered. Carefully titrate remimazolam dose if administered with opioid analgesics and/or sedative/hypnotics.
- risperidone
chloral hydrate and risperidone both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- salmeterol
chloral hydrate increases and salmeterol decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- scullcap
chloral hydrate and scullcap both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- secobarbital
secobarbital and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- sevoflurane
sevoflurane and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- shepherd's purse
chloral hydrate and shepherd's purse both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- sufentanil
chloral hydrate and sufentanil both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- tapentadol
chloral hydrate and tapentadol both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- temazepam
temazepam and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- terbutaline
chloral hydrate increases and terbutaline decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- thioridazine
chloral hydrate and thioridazine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- thiothixene
chloral hydrate and thiothixene both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- topiramate
chloral hydrate and topiramate both increase sedation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
- tramadol
chloral hydrate and tramadol both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- trazodone
chloral hydrate and trazodone both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- triazolam
triazolam and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- triclofos
chloral hydrate and triclofos both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- trifluoperazine
chloral hydrate and trifluoperazine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- trimipramine
chloral hydrate and trimipramine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- triprolidine
triprolidine and chloral hydrate both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- valerian
valerian increases effects of chloral hydrate by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. May enhance CNS depression.
- warfarin
chloral hydrate increases effects of warfarin by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor.
- xylometazoline
chloral hydrate increases and xylometazoline decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- yohimbine
chloral hydrate increases and yohimbine decreases sedation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
- ziconotide
chloral hydrate and ziconotide both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- ziprasidone
chloral hydrate and ziprasidone both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
- zotepine
chloral hydrate and zotepine both increase sedation. Use Caution/Monitor.
Minor (6)
- ashwagandha
ashwagandha increases effects of chloral hydrate by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. May enhance CNS depression.
- brimonidine
brimonidine increases effects of chloral hydrate by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Increased CNS depression.
- eucalyptus
chloral hydrate and eucalyptus both increase sedation. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- nettle
nettle increases effects of chloral hydrate by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. (High dose nettle; theoretical interaction) May enhance CNS depression.
- sage
chloral hydrate and sage both increase sedation. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- Siberian ginseng
Siberian ginseng increases effects of chloral hydrate by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. May enhance CNS depression.
Warnings
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity/idiosyncrasy to chloral derivatives
Marked renal, hepatic impairment; severe cardiac disease; gastritis & ulcers
Cautions
Potential toxic dose <6 years old: 50 mg/kg
Use with caution in porphyria
Use caution in long-term care patients, elderly, and neonates
Use not recommended for >2 weeks
Inform healthcare providers when taking this medication, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists
With long-term use, this medication may be habit-forming
When used nightly for more than a few weeks, medication may not work as well to help sleep problems as patient may develop tolerance; only administer for a short time; if sleep problems last, talk to healthcare professional
If taking this medication on a regular basis patient may experience withdrawal symptoms if discontinued abruptly; do not discontinue medication abruptly without calling doctor; patient should inform healthcare professional if experiencing bad effects
Avoid operating heavy machinery, including driving and doing other tasks or actions that require alertness when taking this medication; may experience drowsiness the day after taking this medication; avoid these tasks or actions until feeling fully awake
Avoid alcohol while taking this medication; do not take after drinking alcohol on the evening or before bed
Talk with healthcare professional before using other drugs and natural products that slow actions
This medication may affect certain lab tests; inform all healthcare providers and lab workers about taking this medication
If 65 or older, use medication with care; medication may cause more side effects
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy
Inform healthcare professional if pregnant or plan on getting pregnant
Lactation
Inform healthcare professional if breastfeeding; may need to discuss benefits and risks to the mother and the baby
Pregnancy Categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk. C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done. D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk. X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist. NA: Information not available.Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Unknown; produces central nervous system depression
Absorption
Onset: 30-60 min
Duration: 4-8 hr
Peak plasma levels: 7-10 mcg/mL
Metabolism
Metabolized by alcohol dehydrogenase, glucuronidation
Metabolites: trichloroethanol
Elimination
Half-life: 8-11 hr (active metabolite)
Excretion: Mostly in urine; some feces
Images
Formulary
Adding plans allows you to compare formulary status to other drugs in the same class.
To view formulary information first create a list of plans. Your list will be saved and can be edited at any time.
Adding plans allows you to:
- View the formulary and any restrictions for each plan.
- Manage and view all your plans together – even plans in different states.
- Compare formulary status to other drugs in the same class.
- Access your plan list on any device – mobile or desktop.