Products
Paraldehyde is no longer commercially available as a finished drug product in many countries.
Structure and properties
Paraldehyde (C6H12O3, Mr = 132.2 g/mol) is a trimeric acetaldehyde. It exists as a colorless to pale yellow transparent liquid that solidifies to a crystalline mass at low temperature and is readily soluble in water.
Effects
Paraldehyde (ATC N05CC05) is sedative, sleep-inducing, and antispasmodic.
Indications
Formerly used as a sedative and sleep-inducing agent, as an antiepileptic.
