Common Side Effects

• The most common side effects of chloral are not normally serious in nature, and your doctor can usually minimize these effects by providing you with a lower dosage. Many patients who take chloral experience nausea, stomach pain and vomiting. In addition, some describe other gastrointestinal effects, such as gas, diarrhea and an unpleasant aftertaste.
  
  

Other Side Effects

• Chloral also has the potential to cause a number of other troublesome or annoying, but not dangerous, side effects. Neurologic and psychiatric effects of the drug include disorientation, paranoia, dizziness, nightmares and staggering. Occasionally, patients develop skin reactions, such as hives, dryness or dark red blotches. After taking the drug, some patients report feelings similar to a hangover, such as dry mouth, sensitivity to light and malaise. Other side effects of chloral include difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath and slurred speech.
  
  

Drug Interactions

• There are some medications that produce unwanted side effects when used in conjunction with chloral. When combined with blood thinners such as warfarin, chloral increases your risk of experiencing uncontrollable bleeding during surgery or following an injury. The use of intravenous diuretic furosemide after a dose of chloral sometimes causes hot flashes, increased blood pressure and sweating. Because chloral often causes drowsiness, be careful not to mix the drug with other medications that make you sleepy, as this could seriously impair your ability to remain alert. Examples of drugs to avoid include narcotics, sleeping pills and other sedatives, anti-epileptic drugs and anti-anxiety medications.
  
  

Addiction

• The most serious side effect of chloral is the possibility for addiction or physical dependence after using the drug for an extended period of time. This dependence sometimes leads to abuse of the drug, which can result in overdose and accidental death. In addition, if you discontinue using chloral after forming a dependence, it is likely that you will experience unpleasant physical side effects known as withdrawal. Effects of chloral withdrawal frequently causes confusion, hallucinations, vomiting, restlessness, excitement and trembling.
  
  

Considerations

• Since it impairs reflexes and alertness, do not operate a motor vehicle or heavy machinery while taking chloral. It is also important to avoid alcohol, as drinking exacerbates the sedative effects of the medication. If you have kidney or liver disease, your doctor will most likely not prescribe chloral for you because the drug has the potential to further damage your organs and cause increased complications. In addition, if you have gastritis or any inflammation of your digestive tract, do not take chloral, as this can heighten the irritation.