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Chloral Hydrate

Chloral hydrate is still available for use as a sedative in children undergoing procedures.  It was withdrawn as a sedative/hypnotic for adults because of its narrow therapeutic index.  In overdose it causes rapid onset of CNS depression and cardiac dysrhythmias and these are frequently lethal without intervention.

References

  • Graham SR, Day RO, Lee R, et al: Overdose with chloral hydrate: A pharmacological and therapeutic review. Medical Journal of Australia 1988; 149:686-688.
  • Pershad J, Palmisano P, Nichols M. Chloral hydrate: the good and the bad. Pediatric Emergency Care 1999; 15:432-435.
  • Sing K, Erickson T, Amitai Y et al. Chloral hydrate toxicity from oral and intravenous administration. Journal of Toxicology-Clinical Toxicology 1996; 34: 101-106.
  • Zahedi A, Grant MH, Wong DT.  Successful treatment of chloral hydrate cardiac toxicity with propranolol. American Journal of Emergency Medicine 1999; 17(5):490-491.

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About Mike Cadogan

Emergency physician with a passion for medical informatics and medical education. Co-founder of HealthEngine, iMeducate, and the GMEP. He writes more eclectically on the web as @sandnsurf | + Mike Cadogan | Contact