Drug interactions
Chloral hydrate + Sodium oxybate
Severity: Contraindicated
Chloral hydrate and Sodium oxybate: contraindicated 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
Both agents depress the central nervous system, and together they can cause profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, or death. Oxybate labeling prohibits use with sedative hypnotics.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chloral hydrate and Sodium oxybate are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Chloral hydrate belongs to Central Nervous System; Sodium oxybate belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS and respiratory depression through pharmacodynamic synergism (GABAergic sedative plus GHB-receptor and GABA-B agonism).
What to do
Do not combine; stop chloral hydrate or use a non-sedating alternative before starting sodium oxybate.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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Other interactions of Chloral hydrate
Other interactions of Sodium oxybate
- Alprazolam + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Amobarbital + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Butorphanol + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Clonazepam + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Clorazepate + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Eszopiclone + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chloral hydrate with Sodium oxybate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Chloral hydrate and Sodium oxybate are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Both agents depress the central nervous system, and together they can cause profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, or death. Oxybate labeling prohibits use with sedative hypnotics.
How serious is the interaction between Chloral hydrate and Sodium oxybate?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Do not combine; stop chloral hydrate or use a non-sedating alternative before starting sodium oxybate.
What other medicines interact with Chloral hydrate?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Chloral hydrate with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Alfentanil, Alprazolam. The full list is on the Chloral hydrate page.
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