Hi Graham,

My son was just prescribed 'chloral hydrate' for excessive myclonic jerks with sleep disturbance. 3ml a night, which can be upped to 5ml if needed.

Could you please tell me if there are side effects to this medicine and if it will react with his other medicines- prilosec 25mg per day and flovent 125mg 2x per day.

I am hesitant to use this product because I am not sure of its safety in children. Should this be a concern? Parker is now 2years old and weighs 12kg.

Thank you

rachel, I don't see chloral hydrate used very often anymore. I'm not sure how long parker has been on it but I am assuming it is really only temporary. It is not going to interact with his other meds but the respiratory depression side effect may be a problem if he is asthmatic (flovent). Also, it can be hard on the stomach especially in a child with gerd and especially when given at bedtime. Your concerns for the safety of this drug are normal, considering its side effect profile. There is the potential for metabolites of this drug to build up so the doctor would want to be watching him closely. It can have a side effect of excitation instead of drowsiness (another unwanted side effect at bedtime). I don't certainly don't want to turn you away from this drug but again it should only be for short term, with close supervision of the Dr. and that 5ml dose would be the absolute maximum.
Thanks Graham Ph.C.

Thank you. We haven't started it yet and I should have added that he has been given it by a ped neurologist, and there is only one place here I can actually get it so I am assuming that it isn't used as much here also. That is why I am taking caution with it.

If we decide to go ahead, he will talking for a period of up to three months. Would you consider this short term? Parker will have these jerks for up to 3 hours a night, and is very restless for the rest, so I have to weigh up whether or not the med is worth him getting him better sleep.

I wasn't told that it can be hard on the tummy or make him exciteable, or the problem with asthma, his asthma is mild though (unless he is unwell). I was told if it didn't work after two nights, we were to ring and get another med prescribed. Thank you for the heads up on the possible effects.

Hi Rachel, 3 months would be short term, 3 months and 1 day probably wouldn't be. Even if it works, you might want look at another med beyond the 3 months. Based on the type of doctor you mentioned, I would certainly trust their judgement for now.
Good luck
Graham Ph.C.