Chloral Hydrate is sleep inducing and hypnotic medicine. It is an old drug and its chemical structure was discovered in 1832. The drug soon gain popularity as it was easy to prepare and could be used in minor surgical procedures like dental surgery. Chloral Hydrate is thought to act on GABA receptors. Its action on GABA receptors is what makes it a date rape substance. A date rape substance is anything used to knock out the subject for abuse. In its action as date rape drug it has some similarities with Gamma Hydroxy butyric Acid (GHB) which is more potent than Chloral Hydrate in its action. However its more common usage is as somnolent and as a short term treatment of sleeplessness. Long term use of Chloral Hydrate results in dependence or addiction. The drug has been shown to have a mutagenic action which means it causes gene mutations. Its usage in pregnancy should strictly be avoided to safeguard against any complication.

Street name of the drug is “Mickey Finn”. As with all sedatives, chloral hydrate also suppresses respiratory and circulatory system resulting in heavy breathing and dropped pulse. Over dose can be fatal. In the United States it is legal to obtain the drug without prescription of a qualified medical practitioner and is controlled as Schedule IV substance.

With the advent of Barbiturates and later Benzodiazepines or Benzos, the drug has lost its popularity and usage. However its illegal or street usage is still very much in as the substance is readily soluble in water or alcohol. Alcohol potentiates its effects manifolds. An alcoholic solution of substance is called “Knock Out Drops”.

Chloral Hydrate