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What Are the Side Effects of Paraldehyde?

Paraldehyde is the generic name of a prescription medication available in the United States and Canada. Despite its effectiveness at treating convulsions caused by alcoholism and helping anxious patients relax, paraldehyde poses a risk of side effects.

  1. Common Side Effects

    • The most common side effects of paraldehyde include drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, stomach pains and unpleasant breath odor.

    Features

    • Gastrointestinal side effects of paraldehyde are most common when the drug is taken orally rather than as an injection or a rectal suppository. The side effects are most likely to develop when you first begin treatment with paraldehyde and diminish gradually as your body becomes acclimated to the drug, reports the Mayo Clinic.

    Drug Interactions

    • When taken with other drugs that cause the central nervous system to slow down, like alcohol, tricyclic antidepressants, antihistamines and sedatives, symptoms of drowsiness caused by paraldehyde may be exacerbated. The drug Antabuse increases your likelihood of developing side effects from paraldehyde.

    Risks

    • Some patients develop hallucinations, trembling and muscle cramps while taking paraldehyde. Patients with a history of alcohol and drug abuse must be closely monitored while taking paraldehyde, because addiction to or dependence on the drug is possible.

    Considerations

    • Because it is unknown whether paraldehyde is passed through breast milk, doctors rarely prescribe the drug for nursing mothers. If you have a medical history of colitis, emphysema, bronchitis, asthma, gastroenteritis or stomach ulcers, paraldehyde may not be safe for you, cautions the Mayo Clinic.

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