Chloral hydrate

Background

• Sedative-hypnotic used for insomnia
• Binds GABA-A receptor
• Active metabolite trichloroethanol (TCE)

Pharmacokinetics

• Onset: 30-60 min
• Duration: 4-8 hr
• Half-Life: 8-11 hr (active metabolite)
• Excretion: Mostly in urine; some feces
• Potential toxic dose
  • <6 years old: 50 mg/kg
• Adults: 3-10g