Yes

Anticonvulsant

Treatment of seizures associated with status epilepticus, tetanus, eclampsia, and convulsant drug toxicity

C-IV

C

Severe hepatic insufficiency, respiratory disease, GI inflammation or ulceration, disulfiram

Use with caution in patients with asthma or other bronchopulmonary disease

>10%:

Central nervous system: Drowsiness

Dermatologic: Skin rash

Gastrointestinal: Strong and unpleasant breath, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, irritation of mucous membrane

Respiratory: Coughing

1% to 10%:

Central nervous system: Clumsiness, dizziness, "hangover effect"

Local: Thrombophlebitis

<1%:

Cardiovascular: Cardiovascular collapse, pulmonary edema

Central nervous system: Psychological and physical dependence with prolonged use

Endocrine & metabolic: Metabolic acidosis

Hepatic: Hepatitis

Respiratory: Respiratory depression

Barbiturates and alcohol may enhance CNS depression

Concurrent use of paraldehyde and disulfiram produces a "disulfiram reaction"; this combination is contraindicated

Unknown mechanism of action; causes depression of CNS, including the ascending reticular activating system to provide sedation/hypnosis and anticonvulsant activity. Hypnotic activity is rapid, with sleep induction in 10-15 minutes. It has no analgesic properties and may reduce excitement or delirium in the presence of pain.

Oral, rectal:

Note: Rectal: Mix paraldehyde 2:1 with oil (cottonseed or olive)

Children:

Sedative: 0.15 mL/kg

Hypnotic: 0.3 mL/kg

Seizure: 0.3 mL/kg every 2-4 hours per rectum; maximum dose: 5 mL

Adults:

Sedative: 5-10 mL

Hypnotic dose: 10-30 mL

Dosing adjustment in hepatic impairment: Dosage may need to be reduced

Outpatients: Take exactly as directed (do not increase dose or frequency or discontinue without consulting prescriber). Oral: Dilute with milk or iced fruit juice to mask taste and odor; do not use plastic equipment for administration. While using this medication, do not use alcohol and other prescription or OTC medications (especially pain medications, sedatives, antihistamines, or hypnotics) without consulting prescriber. Do not use solution if it has a brown color. You may experience drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision (use caution when driving or engaging in tasks requiring alertness until response to drug is known); nausea, vomiting (small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, chewing gum, or sucking lozenges may help). Report chest pain or palpitation; difficulty breathing or unusual cough; sudden, severe headache; persistent GI symptoms (cramping, constipation, vomiting, anorexia); worsening of seizure activity, or loss of seizure control. Pregnancy/breast-feeding precautions: Inform prescriber if you are or intend to be pregnant. Breast-feeding is not recommended.

Discard unused contents of any container which has been opened for more than 24 hours; do not use discolored solution or solutions with strong smell of acetic acid (vinegar); dilute in milk or iced fruit juice; Do not use any plastic equipment for administration, use glass syringes and rubber tubing; outdated preparations can be toxic

Rectal: Mix paraldehyde 2:1 with oil (cottonseed or olive)

Stability: Decomposes with exposure to air and light to acetaldehyde which then oxidizes to acetic acid; store in tightly closed containers; protect from light

Liquid, oral or rectal: 1 g/mL (30 mL)