Achieving value and sustainability in prescribing medication: consultation
Cloral hydrate
Recommendations
- prescribe only if for an exception or indication named in this guidance
- consider deprescribing in individuals currently prescribed this item where appropriate
- prescribe only if no other item or intervention is clinically appropriate
- prescribe only if no other item or intervention is available
Exceptions:
- Short term use (less than two weeks) in adults initiated by a specialist for severe insomnia, when insomnia is interfering with daily life and other therapies have failed
- Short term use (less than two weeks) in children and adolescents with a suspected or definite neurodevelopmental disorder, which has been initiated by a specialist for severe insomnia, where the benefits of short-term use outweigh any potential risk.
- Off-label use of chloral hydrate in the management of children and young people with movement disorders initiated and monitored by a specialist.