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Drug interactions

Chloral hydrate + Imipramine

Severity: Moderate

Chloral hydrate and Imipramine: 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

Imipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant with sedative effects, and combining it with chloral hydrate can intensify drowsiness and impair psychomotor function. Respiratory depression is a concern at high doses or in overdose.

What this interaction means in plain words

Chloral hydrate and Imipramine 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; Imipramine belongs to Central Nervous System.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Additive CNS depression from the hypnotic and the sedating tricyclic antidepressant.

What to do

Monitor for oversedation and adjust doses as needed. Counsel against alcohol and driving.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Chloral hydrate with Imipramine?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chloral hydrate and Imipramine 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. Imipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant with sedative effects, and combining it with chloral hydrate can intensify drowsiness and impair psychomotor function. Respiratory depression is a concern at high doses or in overdose.

How serious is the interaction between Chloral hydrate and Imipramine?

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 oversedation and adjust doses as needed. Counsel against alcohol and driving.

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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