Drug interactions
Chloral hydrate + Dosulepin
Severity: Moderate
Chloral hydrate and Dosulepin: 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
Dosulepin is a sedating tricyclic antidepressant and chloral hydrate is a hypnotic, so their combination amplifies drowsiness and psychomotor impairment. Tricyclics are also dangerous in overdose, and added sedatives increase the risk of respiratory depression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chloral hydrate and Dosulepin 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; Dosulepin belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from the sedative-hypnotic and the antihistaminic, sedating tricyclic antidepressant.
What to do
Monitor for excessive sedation and consider dose reduction of one agent. Warn patients about driving and alcohol, and limit supplies in patients at risk of overdose.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Chloral hydrate and Dosulepin, 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.
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 Dosulepin
- Dosulepin + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Dosulepin + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Dosulepin + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Dosulepin + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Dosulepin Major
- Buprenorphine + Dosulepin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chloral hydrate with Dosulepin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chloral hydrate and Dosulepin 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. Dosulepin is a sedating tricyclic antidepressant and chloral hydrate is a hypnotic, so their combination amplifies drowsiness and psychomotor impairment. Tricyclics are also dangerous in overdose, and added sedatives increase the risk of respiratory depression.
How serious is the interaction between Chloral hydrate and Dosulepin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for excessive sedation and consider dose reduction of one agent. Warn patients about driving and alcohol, and limit supplies in patients at risk of overdose.
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.
