📋 Indications & Clinical Dosage
*Insomnia (short-term use), using chloral hydrate:*
Adult: 15-30 -, alternatively 430-860 mg once daily, dose to be taken with water or milk at bedtime; max. 70 - per day; max. 2 g per day.
Children: 1-12 yrs: 30-50 mg/kg, max chloral hydrate 1 gm daily.
⛔ Contraindications
Severe cardiac disease, acute porphyrias, gastritis, severe renal or hepatic impairment.
⚠️ Precautions & Warnings
Avoid prolonged use (and abrupt withdrawal thereafter), reduce dose in debilitated and elderly, avoid contact with skin and mucous membranes. Reduce dose in mild to moderate hepatic impairment; can precipitate coma. Avoid in severe impairment.
🔄 Drug Interactions
CNS depressants, IV furosemide.
⚠️ Adverse Reactions / Side Effects
Abdominal distention, headache, excitement, delirium (especially on abrupt withdrawal), dependence, flatulence, gastric irritation, ketonuria, nausea, rash, tolerance, vomiting
🤰 Pregnancy & Lactation Safety
Lactation / Breastfeeding:
Risk of sedation in infant; avoid
📚 Official Regulatory & Clinical References
- Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP): Drug Registration, S.R.O. Price Gazettes & National Essential Medicines List (NEML).
- World Health Organization (WHO): Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology (ATC/DDD Index).
- Formulary Standards: British National Formulary (BNF) & Pakistan National Formulary (PNF) guidelines.