CHLORAL HYDRATE-ETHANOL INTERACTIONS IN MOUSE AND DOG

The concurrent administration of ethanol to mice markedly enhanced the depressant action of chloral hydrate. The effect suggests a potentiation, rather than a simple summation, of the depressant actions of the two compounds. When chloral hydrate and ethanol were given together to mice, the disappearance of ethanol as well as of trichloroethanol was inhibited. In contrast to mice, ethanol disappearance was not altered in dogs when chloral hydrate was given concurrently. The metabolism of chloral hydrate, however, was altered by ethanol. Peak blood concentrations of chloral hydrate were elevated and blood trichloroethanol concentrations rose more rapidly and attained greater peak and subsequent levels. The interaction between chloral hydrate and ethanol in dogs may involve an inhibition of the oxidation of chloral hydrate to trichloroacetic acid resulting in its greater availability for reduction to trichloroethanol. © 1969.