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Indications & Uses
Pediclor is indicated for:
Pharmacology
Chloral hydrate has been used for many years as a sedative and hypnotic, in both human and veterinary medicine. Its pharmacological effect comes from its metabolite, trichloroethanol. Several mechanisms have been proposed for how it depresses the central nervous system. These include potentiating the function of GABAA receptors, inhibiting excitatory amino acid-activated currents mediated by N-methyl-D-aspartate, and allosteric modulation of the 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 receptor-mediated depolarization of the vagus nerve.
Dosage Reference
Reference Information Only
Dosages shown are general references from official sources. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized dosing.
Adults:
Treatment with chloral hydrate should be as short as possible, and it must not go beyond 2 weeks. Repeat courses are not recommended. They can only be given after a medical specialist has re-assessed the patient, because the risk of abuse and dependence grows the longer the treatment lasts. After prolonged treatment, the dose should be tapered slowly before stopping.
Chloral Hydrate Oral Solution is not generally recommended for children and adolescents. If it is used, a medical specialist should supervise it. Chloral Hydrate 143 mg/5 ml Oral Solution is taken as a single daily dose, 15 to 30 minutes before bedtime, with water or milk.
Adults: The usual dose is 430-860 mg (15-30 ml of the 143 mg/5 ml strength). Higher doses should not exceed a maximum of 2 g chloral hydrate (70 ml of the 143 mg/5 ml strength) per dose.
Elderly: The dose is the same as for adults. For the frail elderly, or for those with hepatic impairment, a reduction in dose may be appropriate (see section 4.4).
Children 12 years and over: The usual dose is 430-860 mg (15-30 ml of the 143 mg/5 ml strength). Higher doses should not exceed a maximum of 2 g chloral hydrate (70 ml of the 143 mg/5 ml strength) per dose.
Children (between 2 and 11 years): 30-50 mg/kg (1-1.75 ml/kg of the 143 mg/5 ml strength) of bodyweight. The dose should not exceed 1 g chloral hydrate (35 ml of the 143 mg/5 ml strength) per dose.
Children under 2 years: Chloral hydrate should not be used, because its safety and efficacy in children under 2 years has not been established.
Side Effects
Side-effect information is not available for this brand yet.
Cautions & Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
Side effects with Chloral Hydrate can be kept down by using the lowest effective dose for the shortest time needed to control symptoms. Tolerance, dependence, withdrawal and misuse: all of these have been reported with this medicine. Patients on prolonged treatment should not stop it abruptly, because sudden withdrawal may cause delirium and hallucinations. The medicine should be withdrawn slowly. People with a history of alcohol or drug abuse or dependence may be at greater risk of abusing or misusing it. Before prescribing, the doctor should assess each patient's risk of abuse or misuse. Patients on treatment should also be monitored for any behaviours or conditions of abuse or misuse. Gastrointestinal disorders: use Chloral Hydrate with caution in patients with a history of gastritis, oesophagitis, gastric or duodenal ulceration or perforation. It is contraindicated in patients with active gastritis, oesophagitis, gastric or duodenal ulcers or perforation. Hepatic and renal impairment: use it with caution in patients with mild to moderate hepatic and renal impairment. It is contraindicated in severe hepatic and renal impairment. Elderly patients: older people are more likely to have the undesirable effects of hypnotics, such as ataxia and confusion, which may lead to falls and injury. For the frail elderly, the lowest effective dose is recommended. QT prolongation: use it with caution and particular care in patients with low potassium levels, bradyarrhythmia, congenital long QT syndrome and other heart disorders (especially arrhythmia). Pediatric population: liver metabolism is immature in neonates and in children under 2 years of age. So the half-life of the medicine may be extended, and the risk of undesirable effects is higher.
Contraindications
Chloral hydrate must not be given to anyone with hypersensitivity to it or to any of the excipients. It is also not for patients with severe hepatic impairment, severe renal impairment or severe cardiac disease. Patients with active gastritis, oesophagitis, gastric or duodenal ulcers or perforation must not take it either, and the same applies to patients susceptible to acute attacks of porphyria.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Pregnancy: There isn't much information on how chloral hydrate might harm a human pregnancy. It is known to cross the human placenta at term, but it was used in relatively few pregnancies and no detectable increase in abnormal outcomes was seen. Some data suggest that giving sedative doses of chloral hydrate to neonates for a long time makes hyperbilirubinemia more likely.
Breast Feeding: Low levels of chloral hydrate have been found in breast milk. Breastfeeding infants may be sedated by the chloral hydrate in the milk. Still, the highest concentration measured in milk (about 15 µg/ml) was considerably lower than what would be found in blood at a clinically active dose (100 µg/ml).
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Use in Special Populations
Hepatic impairment: Chloral Hydrate must not be used in people with severe hepatic impairment. There are no specific guidelines on adjusting the dose in mild or moderate hepatic impairment. The liver breaks down Chloral Hydrate extensively, so the dose may need to be changed.
Renal impairment: Chloral Hydrate must not be used in people with renal failure or severe renal impairment. In mild and moderate renal impairment, there are no specific guidelines on dose adjustment either, but the dose may need to be changed.
Storage
Keep Chloral Hydrate below 25°C. Store the bottle upright in its outer carton, so the light can't reach it.
Common questions about Pediclor 143.3 mg/5 ml
What is Pediclor 143.3 mg/5 ml Syrup?
Pediclor 143.3 mg/5 ml Syrup is a medicine that contains Chloral Hydrate. It is made by Beacon Pharmaceuticals PLC.
What is Pediclor used for?
Pediclor is used for: Insomnia.
Can I take Pediclor during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Pregnancy: There isn't much information on how chloral hydrate might harm a human pregnancy. It is known to cross the human placenta at term, but it was used in relatively few pregnancies and no detectable increase in abnormal outcomes was seen. Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
How should I store Pediclor?
Keep Chloral Hydrate below 25°C. Store the bottle upright in its outer carton, so the light can't reach it.
Is there a cheaper medicine with the same ingredient?
Pediclor is already among the lowest-priced brands of Chloral Hydrate at this strength.
Do I need a prescription for Pediclor?
Pediclor is a prescription (Rx) medicine. Take it as your doctor advises.