WARNINGOVERDOSE, COMBINATIONS, & WITHDRAWAL CAN BE FATAL
High doses alone or ordinary doses in combination with other depressants can fatally stop breathing. After prolonged dependency, stopping suddenly can cause seizures, delirium, or death.
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Chloral Hydrate
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.
Duration
Subjective Effects
Pharmacology
Interactions
An unlisted combination is an unknown one, not a safe one. Check a dedicated combination chart before mixing.
Tolerance
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
HighChloral hydrate is habit-forming with documented cases of psychological addiction. Historical case reports describe individuals becoming dependent, including one case of escalating to fifteen times the usual dose nightly.
Physical
HighLong-term use is associated with rapid development of tolerance and physical dependence. Abrupt cessation after chronic high-dose use can cause violent withdrawal symptoms.
Toxicity
Chloral hydrate has caused numerous documented fatalities, often in combination with other CNS depressants such as alcohol, barbiturates, or opioids. Accidental overdoses have occurred in young children undergoing dental or surgical procedures. The substance has been used as a date rape drug due to its sedative properties.
LD50 Data
| Species | Route | Value |
|---|---|---|
| inhalation | inhalation (4-hour exposure) | 440 mg/m³ |
Long-term use is associated with severe liver failure.
Chronic use is associated with severe kidney failure.
Long-term use is associated with severe heart failure. The substance carries a conditional risk of causing torsades de pointes, a potentially life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia.
Chronic use is associated with gastric discomfort.
Long-term use may cause rashes.
Seizure Risk
Acute overdose often involves convulsions along with nausea, vomiting, confusion, slowed or uneven respiration, abnormal heart rhythm, and coma.
History & Culture
Legality
Article Status
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