Chloral hydrate toxicity: Difference between revisions

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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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*Excretion: Mostly in urine; some feces
*Excretion: Mostly in urine; some feces
*Potential toxic dose  
*Potential toxic dose  
**<6 years old: 50 mg/kg
**<6 years old: 50mg/kg
**Adults: 3-10g
**Adults: 3-10g


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''Similar to [[barbiturates]] and [[hydrocarbons]]<ref>Whyte IM. Chapter 140 Miscellaneous Anziolytics, Sedatives and Hypnotics; in Dart R, Medical Toxicology (3rd edition), Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2004.</ref>''
''Similar to [[barbiturates]] and [[hydrocarbons]]<ref>Whyte IM. Chapter 140 Miscellaneous Anziolytics, Sedatives and Hypnotics; in Dart R, Medical Toxicology (3rd edition), Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2004.</ref>''
*Neuro
*Neuro
**Sedation, ataxia, coma
**Sedation, [[ataxia]], [[coma]]
*GI
*GI
**Erosive gastritis, [[UGIB]], strictures
**Erosive [[gastritis]], [[upper gastrointestinal bleeding]], strictures
**[[Hepatitis]]
**[[Hepatitis]]
**Breath smells like pears
**Breath smells like pears
*Renal
*Renal
**Nephrotoxicity, proteinuria
**Nephrotoxicity, [[proteinuria]]
*CV
*CV
**[[Hypotension]]
**[[Hypotension]]
**Myocardial depression
**Myocardial depression
**Tachydysrhythmias secondary to catecholamine hypersensitivity: Sinus tachycardia, PVCs, [[ventricular tachycardia]], [[ventricular fibrilation]], [[Torsades]]
**[[Tachyarrhythmias]] secondary to catecholamine hypersensitivity: [[Sinus tachycardia]], [[PVCs]], [[ventricular tachycardia]], [[ventricular fibrilation]], [[Torsades]]
*Resp
*Respiratory
**Resp depression, airway obstruction (from muscle relaxation)
**[[Respiratory failure|Respiratory depression]], airway obstruction (from muscle relaxation)
**Aspiration pneumonitis
**[[Aspiration pneumonitis]]


==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
{{Sedatve/hypnotic toxicity types}}
{{Sedatve/hypnotic toxicity types}}


==Diagnosis==
==Evaluation==
===Evaluation===
===Evaluation===
*Clinical diagnosis
*Clinical diagnosis
===Workup===
===Workup===
*[[ECG]]: Dysrhythmias
*[[ECG]]: Dysrhythmias
*[[CXR]]: Pneumonitis or pulmonary edema
*[[CXR]]:  
*LFTs: monitor for hepatic injury
**[[Pneumonitis]] or [[pulmonary edema]]
**Chloral hydrate may be radiopaque
*[[LFTs]]: monitor for hepatic injury
*BUN/Cr: monitor for renal injury
*BUN/Cr: monitor for renal injury
*[[Troponin]]: Myocardial injury
*[[Troponin]]: Myocardial injury
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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 [[propranolol]]<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 rapid absorption
*Assume corrosive GI injury until ruled out.
*Assume corrosive GI injury until ruled out.


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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:Toxicology]][[Category:Pharmacology]]

Latest revision as of 18:04, 16 October 2019

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

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 rapid 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.