Chloral Hydrate Dosage

Usual Adult Dose for Insomnia

500 mg to 1 g 15 to 30 minutes before bedtime.

Usual Adult Dose for Sedation

250 mg 3 times daily after meals, or

500 mg to 1 g 30 minutes before surgery

Usual Pediatric Dose for Insomnia

Oral, Rectal:
Hypnotic: 50 mg/kg/dose at bedtime
Maximum dose: 1 g/dose
Total maximum: 1 g/day for infants and 2 g/day for children

Usual Pediatric Dose for Sedation

Neonatal: Oral, Rectal:
For sedation prior to a procedure: 25 mg/kg. Repeat doses should be used with great caution as drug and metabolites accumulate with repeated use; toxicity has been reported after 3 days in a preterm neonate and after 7 days in a term neonate receiving chloral hydrate 40 to 50 mg/kg every 6 hours.

Infants and Children:
Oral, Rectal:
Sedation, anxiety: 25 to 50 mg/kg/day divided every 6 to 8 hours
Maximum dose: 500 mg/dose
Prior to EEG: 25 to 50 mg/kg/dose 30 to 60 minutes prior to EEG; may repeat in 30 minutes to a total maximum of 100 mg/kg or 1 g total for infants and 2 g total for children.
Sedation, nonpainful procedure: 50 to 75 mg/kg/dose 30 to 60 minutes prior to procedure; may repeat 30 minutes after initial dose if needed.
Maximum dose: 120 mg/kg or 1 g total for infants and 2 g total for children

Renal Dose Adjustments

Chloral hydrate is contraindicated for use in patients with a creatinine clearance below 50 mL/min.

Liver Dose Adjustments

Contraindicated for use in patients with liver dysfunction.

Precautions

Adults: Single or daily dosages should not exceed 2 grams.

Chloral hydrate may be habit forming. The drug should not be discontinued abruptly.

Dialysis

Chloral hydrate is contraindicated for use in patients with a creatinine clearance below 50 mL/min.

See also...