Drug interactions
Chloral hydrate + Dextromoramide
Severity: Major
Chloral hydrate and Dextromoramide: major interaction.
Last updated Sources: UK SmPC
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Dextromoramide is a potent opioid analgesic, and with chloral hydrate it can cause deep sedation, respiratory depression and coma. The risk is greatest at higher doses and in opioid-naive or elderly patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chloral hydrate and Dextromoramide can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Why it happens
Additive CNS and respiratory depression from opioid and sedative-hypnotic activity.
What to do
Avoid combining where possible; if necessary use reduced doses and monitor respiratory rate and level of consciousness. Ensure naloxone is accessible.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Chloral hydrate and Dextromoramide, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
References
- Chloral Hydrate 143mg/5ml Oral Solution - SmPC sections 4.3/4.5 (class statement: narcotic analgesics; "Concomitant use with antipsychotics, hypnotics, anxiolytics/sedatives, antidepressant agents, centrally acting muscle relaxants, narcotic analgesics, anti-epile") — electronic medicines compendium (UK SmPC)
Other interactions of Chloral hydrate
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Chloral hydrate Contraindicated
- Chloral hydrate + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Chloral hydrate Major
- Alprazolam + Chloral hydrate Major
- Amobarbital + Chloral hydrate Major
- Belladonna and opium + Chloral hydrate Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chloral hydrate with Dextromoramide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Chloral hydrate and Dextromoramide can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Dextromoramide is a potent opioid analgesic, and with chloral hydrate it can cause deep sedation, respiratory depression and coma. The risk is greatest at higher doses and in opioid-naive or elderly patients.
How serious is the interaction between Chloral hydrate and Dextromoramide?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid combining where possible; if necessary use reduced doses and monitor respiratory rate and level of consciousness. Ensure naloxone is accessible.
What other medicines interact with Chloral hydrate?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Chloral hydrate with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Sodium oxybate, Alfentanil. The full list is on the Chloral hydrate page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
