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Sedative (Procedural)

Chloral Hydrate

Brand names: Chloral Elixir Paediatric, Welldorm

Chloral hydrate is a sedative-hypnotic used for short-term sedation, including to facilitate diagnostic procedures and imaging in children.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It is metabolised to trichloroethanol, an active metabolite that depresses the central nervous system to produce sedation.

Prescribing in practice

  • It causes dose-dependent respiratory depression and over-sedation, so children must be appropriately monitored, and it should be avoided in significant respiratory, cardiac, hepatic or renal impairment.
  • Paediatric dosing should follow a children's formulary, as accumulation of the active metabolite can prolong sedation in neonates.
  • It is a gastric irritant and is best given diluted and with or after food to reduce nausea and mucosal irritation.

Monitoring

Monitor conscious level, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation during and after sedation until the child has fully recovered.

Counselling the patient

  • Your child may remain drowsy for some time after the procedure and should be supervised.
  • Give the medicine diluted in water, milk or juice to reduce stomach upset.
  • Seek urgent help if breathing becomes slow or your child is very difficult to rouse.

Evidence & guidelines

Chloral hydrate is an established agent for procedural sedation in children within current prescribing references.

Reference: RCPCH/RCR Sedation Guidelines; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

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