Drug interactions
Chloral hydrate + Norepinephrine
Severity: Moderate
Chloral hydrate and Norepinephrine: 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
Chloral hydrate is a recognized sensitizer of the myocardium to catecholamines, and halogenated hydrocarbon-like sensitization can predispose to ventricular arrhythmias when vasopressors are given. This matters mainly with intravenous norepinephrine in sedated or ill patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chloral hydrate and Norepinephrine 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
Chloral hydrate and its metabolites may increase myocardial sensitivity to catecholamines, raising arrhythmia risk.
What to do
Use continuous ECG monitoring when norepinephrine is infused in patients who recently received chloral hydrate, and titrate the vasopressor to the lowest effective dose.
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 Norepinephrine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chloral hydrate and Norepinephrine 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 is a recognized sensitizer of the myocardium to catecholamines, and halogenated hydrocarbon-like sensitization can predispose to ventricular arrhythmias when vasopressors are given. This matters mainly with intravenous norepinephrine in sedated or ill patients.
How serious is the interaction between Chloral hydrate and Norepinephrine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use continuous ECG monitoring when norepinephrine is infused in patients who recently received chloral hydrate, and titrate the vasopressor to the lowest effective dose.
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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