Chloral Hydrate
Aliases: Noctec, Somnos, Somnote, Welldorm, Mickey finn, chloral-hydrate, aquachloral
Categories
Summary
Chloral hydrate is one of the oldest sedative-hypnotics, first synthesized in 1832. It has a very narrow therapeutic window and overdose can cause severe respiratory depression, cardiac arrhythmias, coma, and death. Chronic use can lead to liver damage and rapid tolerance development. Combination with alcohol (creating a Mickey Finn) is especially dangerous. Discontinued in the US in 2012 but still available in some countries.
Dose Information
| ROA | Light | Common | Strong | Heavy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral | 200mg | 200-500mg | 500-1000mg | 1000mg+ |
Light
Common
Strong
Heavy
Onset, Duration & After-effects
| ROA | Onset | Peak | Offset | After Effects | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral | 20-60 min | 1-2 hrs | 2-6 hrs | 24 hrs | 300-0 min |
| Rectal | 15-45 min | 1-2 hrs | 2-6 hrs | 24 hrs | 300-0 min |
Tolerance
Build-up
varies by mechanism; therapeutic tolerance may develop over weeks of regular use
Reset
typically days to weeks after discontinuation
Effects
Positive
- Muscle relaxation
- Physical euphoria
- Anxiolytic
- Muscle Relaxant
Negative
- Respiratory depression
- Motor impairment
- Sedation
- Sedative
- Dystaxia
- Hypnotic
Positive
- Anxiety suppression
- Reduced anxiety
- Cognitive euphoria
Negative
- Motor control loss
- Amnesia
- Dizziness
- Thought deceleration
- Emotion suppression
- Compulsive redosing
- Delusions of sobriety
Positive
- Increased libido
- Appetite enhancement
- Increased music appreciation
Negative
- Disinhibition
- Double vision
- Acuity suppression
- Dehydration
- Visual acuity suppression
- Dulled perception
- Perception of bodily heaviness