Drug interactions
Chloral hydrate + Marijuana
Severity: Moderate
Chloral hydrate and Marijuana: 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
Cannabis has sedative and psychomotor-impairing effects, which can add to the hypnotic action of chloral hydrate. Increased drowsiness, dizziness and impaired judgment may result.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chloral hydrate and Marijuana 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.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression via cannabinoid receptor effects and GABAergic action of chloral hydrate.
What to do
Counsel patients to avoid cannabis while taking chloral hydrate and to avoid driving. Reduce sedative dose if excessive drowsiness occurs.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chloral hydrate with Marijuana?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chloral hydrate and Marijuana 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. Cannabis has sedative and psychomotor-impairing effects, which can add to the hypnotic action of chloral hydrate. Increased drowsiness, dizziness and impaired judgment may result.
How serious is the interaction between Chloral hydrate and Marijuana?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Counsel patients to avoid cannabis while taking chloral hydrate and to avoid driving. Reduce sedative dose if excessive drowsiness occurs.
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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