Drug interactions
Chloral hydrate + Diphenoxylate-atropine
Severity: Moderate
Chloral hydrate and Diphenoxylate-atropine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
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
Chloral hydrate is a sedative-hypnotic that depresses the CNS, and combining it with an opioid such as diphenoxylate can deepen sedation. Respiratory depression is possible at higher doses or in vulnerable patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chloral hydrate and Diphenoxylate-atropine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Chloral hydrate belongs to Central Nervous System; Diphenoxylate-atropine belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Additive CNS and respiratory depression.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses and monitor sedation level and respiratory rate, particularly in children and older adults.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Diphenoxylate-atropine
- Diphenoxylate-atropine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Diphenoxylate-atropine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Diphenoxylate-atropine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Diphenoxylate-atropine Major
- Alvimopan + Diphenoxylate-atropine Major
- Amitriptyline + Diphenoxylate-atropine Major
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 Diphenoxylate-atropine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chloral hydrate and Diphenoxylate-atropine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Chloral hydrate is a sedative-hypnotic that depresses the CNS, and combining it with an opioid such as diphenoxylate can deepen sedation. Respiratory depression is possible at higher doses or in vulnerable patients.
How serious is the interaction between Chloral hydrate and Diphenoxylate-atropine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the lowest effective doses and monitor sedation level and respiratory rate, particularly in children and older adults.
What other medicines interact with Diphenoxylate-atropine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Diphenoxylate-atropine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine. The full list is on the Diphenoxylate-atropine page.
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