Noctec
"Sleep disorder drugs (hypnotic and sedative drugs) overview
Insomnia, a disorder in which there is difficulty sleeping, occurs occasionally in most people but usually lasts only a few days. The body then "corrects" itself "...
Noctec
Noctec Side Effects Center
Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP
Noctec (chloral hydrate) is a hypnotic used to treat insomnia and to calm patients before surgery or other procedures. Common side effects include drowsiness, trouble waking up, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, and headache.
The recommended dosage of Noctec for adults is 500 mg to 1 g, taken ½ hour before surgery, or as directed by your doctor. Noctec may interact with other medications, including oral anticoagulants, IV furosemide, and other CNS depressants. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness or clear vision while taking Noctec. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Noctec should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed. This medication is excreted in human milk; use while breastfeeding may cause sedation in the infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding. Stopping this medication suddenly may cause withdrawal symptoms.
Our Noctec (chloral hydrate) Side Effects Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is Prescribing information?
The FDA package insert formatted in easy-to-find categories for health professionals and clinicians.
Noctec FDA Prescribing Information: Side Effects
(Adverse Reactions)
SIDE EFFECTS
Occasionally a patient becomes somnambulistic and he may be disoriented and incoherent and show paranoid behavior. Rarely, excitement, tolerance, addiction, delirium, drowsiness, staggering gait, ataxia, lightheadedness, vertigo, dizziness, nightmares, malaise, mental confusion and hallucinations have been reported.
Hematelogical
Leukopenia and eosinophilia have occasionally occurred.
Dermatological
Allergic skin rashes including hives, erythema, eczematoid dermatitis, urticaria, and scarlatiniform exanthems have occasionally been reported.
Some patients experience gastric irritation and occasionally nausea and vomiting, flatulence, diarrhea, and unpleasant taste occur.
Miscellaneous
Rarely, headache, hangover, idiosyncratic syndrome, and ketonuria have been reported.
DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE
Controlled Substance
Drug Enforcement Administration Schedule IV.
Abuse
Chloral hydrate may be habit- forming. Patients known to be addiction- prone and patients who actively solicit hypnotics in increasing doses are potential addicts. Many patients take higher doses of hypnotics than they admit, and slurring of speech, incoordination, tremulousness, and nystagmus should arouse suspicion. Drowsiness, lethargy, and hangover are frequently observed from excessive drug intake.
Dependence
Prolonged use of larger than usual therapeutic doses may result in psychic and physical dependence. Tolerance and psychologic dependence may develop by the second week of continued administration.
Chloral hydrate addicts may take huge doses of the drug (i.e., up to 12 g nightly has been reported). This abuse is similar to alcohol addiction and sudden withdrawal may result in central nervous excitation, with tremor, anxiety, hallucination, or even delirium which may be fatal. In patients suffering from chronic chloral hydrate intoxication, gastritis is common and skin eruptions may develop. Parenchymatous renal injury may also occur. Withdrawal should be undertaken in a hospital and supportive treatment similar to that used during barbiturate withdrawal is recommended.
Read the entire FDA prescribing information for Noctec (Chloral Hydrate) »
Additional Noctec Information
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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