Chloral hydrate toxicity: Difference between revisions

(Text replacement - "UGIB" to "upper gastrointestinal bleeding")
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*Binds GABA-A receptor
*Binds GABA-A receptor
*Active metabolite trichloroethanol (TCE)
*Active metabolite trichloroethanol (TCE)
*Sometimes still used in pediatrics for children undergoing procedures
*Rarely used in practice in adult medicine
*‘Mickey Finn’ most commonly refers to a mixture of ethanol and chloral hydrate, aka a "knockout drink."
*‘Mickey Finn’ most commonly refers to a mixture of ethanol and chloral hydrate, aka a "knockout drink."


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==Management==
==Management==
''Generally supportive care''
''Generally supportive care''
*Airway management
*Airway management with intubation and ventilation for CNS depression
*BP monitoring  
*BP monitoring  
**IVF. Try to avoid catecholaminergic pressors
**IVF
**Avoid catecholaminergic [[vasopressors]]
*Monitor for dysrhythmias
*Monitor for dysrhythmias
**Treat with beta-blockers to include [[esmolol]] infusion, [[metoprolol]], or [[propanolol]]<ref>Zahedq A, Grant MH, Wong DT. Successful treatment of chloral hydrate cardiac toxicity with propranolol. American Journal of Emergency Medicine 1999; 17(5):490-491.</ref>
**Give or titrate BB until response


*Decontamination not useful for isolated chloral hydrate ingestions due to rapidl absorption
*Decontamination not useful for isolated chloral hydrate ingestions due to rapidl absorption
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==External Links==
==External Links==
 
*See [http://lifeinthefastlane.com/tox-library/toxicant/anaesthetics/chloral-hydrate/ life in the fast lane's Chloral hydrate toxicity page]
==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>


[[Category:Toxicology]][[Category:Pharmacology]]
[[Category:Toxicology]][[Category:Pharmacology]]

Revision as of 03:00, 28 February 2017

Background

  • Sedative-hypnotic used for insomnia
  • Binds GABA-A receptor
  • Active metabolite trichloroethanol (TCE)
  • Sometimes still used in pediatrics for children undergoing procedures
  • Rarely used in practice in adult medicine
  • ‘Mickey Finn’ most commonly refers to a mixture of ethanol and chloral hydrate, aka a "knockout drink."

Pharmacokinetics

  • Onset: 30-60 min[1]
  • Duration: 4-8 hr
  • Half-Life: 5 mins (for chloral hydrate)
    • 8-11 hr (active metabolite)
  • Metabolism: Hepatic metabolism
  • Excretion: Mostly in urine; some feces
  • Potential toxic dose
    • <6 years old: 50mg/kg
    • Adults: 3-10g

Clinical Features

Similar to barbiturates and hydrocarbons[2]

Differential Diagnosis

Sedative/hypnotic toxicity

Evaluation

Evaluation

  • Clinical diagnosis

Workup

  • ECG: Dysrhythmias
  • CXR: Pneumonitis or pulmonary edema
  • LFTs: monitor for hepatic injury
  • BUN/Cr: monitor for renal injury
  • Troponin: Myocardial injury
  • Consider endoscopy

Management

Generally supportive care

  • Airway management with intubation and ventilation for CNS depression
  • BP monitoring
  • Monitor for dysrhythmias
  • Decontamination not useful for isolated chloral hydrate ingestions due to rapidl absorption
  • Assume corrosive GI injury until ruled out.

Disposition

Asymptomatic

  • Observe for 4 hours

Symptomatic

  • Admit for monitoring
  • GI: Endoscopy within 24 hrs
  • CV: Telemetry

See Also

External Links

References

  1. Medscape: Chloral hydrate
  2. Whyte IM. Chapter 140 Miscellaneous Anziolytics, Sedatives and Hypnotics; in Dart R, Medical Toxicology (3rd edition), Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2004.
  3. Zahedq A, Grant MH, Wong DT. Successful treatment of chloral hydrate cardiac toxicity with propranolol. American Journal of Emergency Medicine 1999; 17(5):490-491.