Chloral Hydrate
One of the oldest sedatives. It acts on the CNS to produce sleep without affecting the respiratory system significantly at standard doses.
Dosage by Body Weight
Dose for sedation: 25-50 mg/kg. Must be administered under medical supervision in a clinical setting.
- Body Weight
- 10-20 kg
- Dose
- 250 mg to 1000 mg
- Frequency
- Single dose (Pre-procedure)
- Tracking Notes
- Bitter taste; mix with juice or syrup. Monitor oxygen levels.
| Body Weight | Dose | Frequency | Tracking Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-20 kg | 250 mg to 1000 mg | Single dose (Pre-procedure) | Bitter taste; mix with juice or syrup. Monitor oxygen levels. |
Formulation
Purpose
Short-term sedative used for diagnostic procedures (like MRI or EEG) in children.
Generic Name
Chloral HydrateBranded Drug Names
Chloral Hydrate is listed as a generic drug name. Common branded medicines that may contain the same active ingredient include:
Scheduled Drug
Yes. This medicine should be supplied or used only according to applicable prescription and regulatory requirements.
Alternatives
Safety Advice
Alcohol
UNSAFEChloral Hydrate: Alcohol can worsen drowsiness, mood changes, impaired judgment, or heart rhythm effects. Avoid alcohol unless your prescriber confirms it is safe.
Pregnancy
CAUTIONChloral Hydrate: Use in pregnancy only when prescribed after weighing mental health benefits and medicine-specific risks.
Breast Feeding
CAUTIONChloral Hydrate: May pass into breast milk. Use while breastfeeding only with specialist guidance and infant monitoring.
Driving
CAUTIONChloral Hydrate: May cause sleepiness, dizziness, slowed reaction time, or concentration changes. Avoid driving if affected.
Liver
CAUTIONChloral Hydrate: Use caution in liver disease because several psychiatric or sedating medicines are processed by the liver.
Kidney
CAUTIONChloral Hydrate: Kidney disease may require monitoring or dose adjustment for some medicines in this group.