Drug interactions
Chloral hydrate + Dipipanone
Severity: Major
Chloral hydrate and Dipipanone: 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
Chloral hydrate is a sedative-hypnotic and dipipanone is an opioid analgesic, so together they produce additive central nervous system and respiratory depression. Excessive drowsiness, reduced alertness and, at higher doses, breathing difficulty may occur.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chloral hydrate and Dipipanone 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 pharmacodynamic CNS and respiratory depression from a sedative-hypnotic combined with an opioid.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses of both drugs and monitor sedation level and respiratory rate, especially at initiation or dose increases. Avoid the combination in patients with respiratory compromise or in the elderly where possible.
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?
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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 Dipipanone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Chloral hydrate and Dipipanone 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. Chloral hydrate is a sedative-hypnotic and dipipanone is an opioid analgesic, so together they produce additive central nervous system and respiratory depression. Excessive drowsiness, reduced alertness and, at higher doses, breathing difficulty may occur.
How serious is the interaction between Chloral hydrate and Dipipanone?
MediHelp rates it major, 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 of both drugs and monitor sedation level and respiratory rate, especially at initiation or dose increases. Avoid the combination in patients with respiratory compromise or in the elderly where possible.
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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