Chloral Hydrate use while Breastfeeding
Medically reviewed by drugclasses.com. Last updated on Mar 12, 2024.
Drugs containing Chloral Hydrate: Somnote, Aquachloral Supprettes
Chloral Hydrate Levels and Effects while Breastfeeding
Summary of Use during Lactation
Short-term or occasional use of chloral hydrate during breastfeeding is unlikely to adversely affect the breastfed infant, especially if the infant is older than 2 months. Because the active metabolite of chloral hydrate has a long half-life, other sedative-hypnotics are preferred for long-term use during breastfeeding, especially while nursing a neonate or preterm infant. Monitor the infant for sedation, poor feeding and poor weight gain.
Drug Levels
Maternal Levels. In a study of 50 women who were given 1.3 grams of chloral hydrate rectally on day 3 postpartum, peak chloral hydrate milk levels of about 10 mg/L occurred within the first hour and fluctuated between 6 and 10 mg/L for 10 hours after the dose. Milk levels of the active metabolite, trichloroethanol, reached a peak of about 40 mg/L at 45 minutes after the dose and gradually decreased to about 12 mg/L over the next 23 hours.[1]
After 1.3 grams of dichloralphenazone daily dichloralphenazone (equivalent to about 1 gram of chloral hydrate), milk trichloroethanol levels were found to range from 1.3 to 3.2 mg/L in one woman.[2]
Infant Levels. After a 1.3 gram maternal dose of dichloralphenazone (equivalent to about 1 gram of chloral hydrate), trichloroethanol was detected in the breastfed infant's plasma 21 hours later.[2]
Effects in Breastfed Infants
An old review article states that if an infant is breastfed within 45 minutes of a maternal dose of chloral hydrate while she is taking 1.5 grams twice daily, the infant will fall into a prolonged, restless sleep.[3]
A single maternal rectal dose of 1.3 grams chloral hydrate in 50 women was stated to not adversely affect their breastfed newborn infants.[1]
Minimal morning sedation occurred in a 5-month-old breastfed infant whose mother was taking 1.3 grams of dichloralphenazone (equivalent to about 1 gram of chloral hydrate) every evening plus chlorpromazine 100 mg 3 times daily. The infant's overall development was said to be normal at 3 months of age.[2]
Effects on Lactation and Breastmilk
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
References
- 1.
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Bernstine JB, Meyer AE, Bernstine RL. Maternal blood and breast milk estimation following the administration of chloral hydrate during the puerperium. J Obstet Gynaecol Br Emp. 1956;63:228–31. [PubMed: 13320217]
- 2.
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Lacey JH. Dichloralphenazone and breast milk. Br Med J. 1971;4:684. [Letter] [PMC free article: PMC1799850] [PubMed: 5134581]
- 3.
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Reed CB. A study of the conditions that require removal of the child from the breast. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1908;6:514–27.
Substance Identification
Substance Name
Chloral Hydrate
CAS Registry Number
302-17-0
Drug Class
Breast Feeding
Lactation
Milk, Human
Hypnotics and Sedatives
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