Chloral hydrate is an old, well-studied means of controlling insomnia. The drug helps to fall asleep more quickly, while it does not significantly affect the duration of sleep.
Material Content:
Description of the dosage form and composition
Chloral hydrate is the name of the active substance that is part of the drug of the same name. Chloral hydrate is available in powder form, less commonly in tablets. Moreover, the pills are pressed powder in a dosage of 500, 750 or 1500 mg in one tablet. Today, this tool cannot be bought at a pharmacy, it is dispensed only by prescription and is absent in most pharmacy chains. The drug is used in a hospital setting. If the patient has been prescribed this medicine, the doctor writes a prescription and you can buy the drug only in the internal pharmacy of the medical institution.
Due to the lack of the drug in pharmacies, the exact composition is unknown. Restrictions on the distribution of the drug through the pharmacy chains are associated with a high risk of developing dangerous side effects and irreversible consequences in case of an overdose.
In what cases is chloral hydrate prescribed?
The scope is due to the properties of the active substance - analgesic, sleeping pills and soothing. The drug is used as sleeping pills due to its quick action. So, drowsiness is noted 15-20 minutes after taking a therapeutic dose.
The drug is recommended for use with anxiety and nervous agitation against a background of neuropsychiatric diseases.The tool reduces nervous irritability and prevents the appearance of seizures, and therefore is widely used to treat convulsive conditions and muscle spasm.
The main indications for use:
- epileptic seizures;
- tetanus;
- eclampsia;
- spasmophilia;
- problems falling asleep with increased nervous excitability.
The drug is prescribed as a symptomatic remedy, often combined with other drugs that have a direct effect on the cause of the disorder. Chloral hydrate is advisable to use to reduce muscle hypertonicity and general sedation in situations where the patient is shown prolonged immobilization, for example, during examinations (MRI, CT).
In addition to inhibiting the activity of the central nervous system, chloral hydrate has an analgesic effect, due to which it is used as a local remedy to reduce the discomfort caused by pulpitis or caries.
The drug has an antipruritic effect and stimulates blood flow when applied topically, due to which it is used to treat focal alopecia and seborrhea of the scalp.
Instructions for use and dosage of powder
Instructions for use suggest using the drug orally or in the form of enemas.
The recommended dose depends on the indications for use:
- 200-500 mg three times a day with increased nervous excitability (as a sedative);
- 500-1000 mg half an hour before bedtime with insomnia;
- 500-1000 mg of the drug once as a sedation before surgery or a long examination.
An adult is allowed to take no more than 2000 mg of the drug at a time up to three times a day. If the dose is exceeded, there is a risk of developing dangerous side effects. In general, doses are selected individually for each patient, depending on the indications.
To prepare a solution of chloral hydrate for internal use, stir the right amount of powder in a glass of water. To minimize the negative effect on the gastric mucosa, it is recommended to mix the drug with enveloping fluids or fruit juice. Enema is done with water, the dosage does not change.
The treatment of eclampsia, seizures, and tetanus with chloral hydrate is carried out exclusively in a hospital setting.
The drug loses a significant part of sleeping pills after 14 days of regular intake, therefore it is prescribed in small courses.
During pregnancy and lactation
The use of chloral hydrate during pregnancy and lactation is prohibited, since the drug overcomes the placental barrier and penetrates into breast milk. The only exception is eclampsia and preeclampsia of pregnant women, as these conditions potentially threaten the life of the mother and fetus. Therapy in this case is carried out only in a medical institution.
Contraindications, side effects and overdose
The drug is forbidden to take with alcohol.
Other contraindications:
- intolerance to the active substance;
- gastritis and stomach ulcer;
- porphyria;
- alcoholism and drug addiction;
- severe renal and liver failure.
Rectal administration is prohibited for inflammation of the rectum. The medicine inhibits the activity of the central nervous system and can cause a decrease in blood pressure. Against the background of taking the drug, general weakness, loss of strength, dizziness and headache associated with arterial hypotension may occur. Less commonly, the drug causes dyspeptic disorders and exacerbation of chronic gastrointestinal diseases.
Large doses of the drug have a narcotic effect, because of this the drug is banned for free sale in pharmacies.
Overdose can lead to hallucinations, psychosis, depersonalization syndrome and disorientation. Taking large doses is also accompanied by tremors, a sense of anxiety. Systematic overdose is potentially dangerous with cardiac arrest, the development of acute renal and hepatic insufficiency, up to a coma with subsequent death.
Analogs
There are no complete analogues of the drug, since the active substance is prohibited for free distribution.
If the drug is considered as a remedy for insomnia, you can replace it with the following medicines:
- Donormil;
- Novo-Passit;
- Somnol;
- Valocordin-Doxylamine.
In any case, the doctor should prescribe therapy and select analogues. Self-medication can harm your health.
