What Is Paraldehyde?

Paraldehyde is a sedative medication a doctor may prescribe, usually in a hospital setting, to address convulsions or extreme anxiety. It acts as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, and can be very dangerous if it is not given correctly. For this reason, doctors are cautious about prescribing it and take precautions to protect patients on the drug. Patients who use paraldehyde at home typically receive it in sterile glass ampules and are given careful instructions on its use.

This drug can act as an anticonvulsant, sedative, or hypnotic. One common historical use of paraldehyde was in the treatment of patients who developed convulsions during alcohol withdrawal. The drug also has a history of use in psychiatric settings to address agitation and distress on the part of patients. It is available in an oral solution as well as formulas for injectable and rectal use.

Patients with a history of lung, liver, and gastrointestinal problems may not be good candidates for paraldehyde. The lungs and liver play an important role in metabolizing the medication, and it can overload these organs if they are already under stress. The drug also tends to stress the intestinal tract and may lead to ulcers and other problems. Patients on paraldehyde can experience side effects like nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, and stomach pains. These side effects should be reported, as they may be a warning sign of a bad reaction to the drug. Patients may also notice a strong odor on their breath while taking the drug; this is normal, as it occurs when the lungs express metabolites of the medication.

When patients stop taking paraldehyde, they can experience withdrawal symptoms, including hallucinations, convulsions, and excessive sweating. A doctor will need to evaluate the patient to determine if any additional treatment is necessary to protect the patient's health. It may be necessary to wean the patient off the drug more carefully or to use another medication to balance out these withdrawal symptoms.

Doctors have a number of medications beyond paraldehyde to choose from, and will evaluate the needs of a specific case to decide on the best treatment. Patients with a history of bad reactions to this drug should make sure this is recorded so a doctor knows not to use the drug. It is also important to go over existing medications so the doctor can check for potentially bad reactions. Patients may find it helpful to take paraldehyde with milk or juice to temper the stomach irritation, or to consider changing delivery formats if the drug causes intolerable side effects when taken orally.