Drug interactions
Chloral hydrate + Ephedrine
Severity: Moderate
Chloral hydrate and Ephedrine: 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
Ephedrine is a sympathomimetic stimulant that may partly offset chloral hydrate sedation, but the net effect is unpredictable. Chloral hydrate metabolites may also sensitize the myocardium to catecholamines, and ephedrine can add to the risk of tachyarrhythmias.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chloral hydrate and Ephedrine 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; Ephedrine belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Opposing pharmacodynamic CNS effects, with theoretical myocardial sensitization to sympathomimetics by chloral hydrate metabolites.
What to do
Monitor heart rate, rhythm and blood pressure when used together. Do not rely on ephedrine to reverse sedation.
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 Ephedrine
- Ephedrine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chloral hydrate with Ephedrine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chloral hydrate and Ephedrine 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. Ephedrine is a sympathomimetic stimulant that may partly offset chloral hydrate sedation, but the net effect is unpredictable. Chloral hydrate metabolites may also sensitize the myocardium to catecholamines, and ephedrine can add to the risk of tachyarrhythmias.
How serious is the interaction between Chloral hydrate and Ephedrine?
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 heart rate, rhythm and blood pressure when used together. Do not rely on ephedrine to reverse sedation.
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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