Drug interactions
Chloral hydrate + Diphenoxylate
Severity: Moderate
Chloral hydrate and Diphenoxylate: 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
Diphenoxylate is an opioid-related antidiarrheal that can cause CNS and respiratory depression, particularly in overdose or in young children. Together with chloral hydrate, sedation may be increased.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chloral hydrate and Diphenoxylate 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 belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from opioid-like and sedative-hypnotic activity.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses and monitor sedation and breathing, especially in children and the elderly. Avoid exceeding recommended diphenoxylate doses.
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 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
Other interactions of Diphenoxylate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chloral hydrate with Diphenoxylate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chloral hydrate and Diphenoxylate 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. Diphenoxylate is an opioid-related antidiarrheal that can cause CNS and respiratory depression, particularly in overdose or in young children. Together with chloral hydrate, sedation may be increased.
How serious is the interaction between Chloral hydrate and Diphenoxylate?
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 and breathing, especially in children and the elderly. Avoid exceeding recommended diphenoxylate doses.
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.
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