Home Drug Guide Ethchlorvynol

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Ethchlorvynol

Brand Names Placidyl

Classification

Therapeutic: Sedative, Hypnotic

Pharmacological: GABA-A receptor modulator

FDA Approved Indications

  • Short-term management of insomnia

Mechanism of Action

Ethchlorvynol enhances the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at GABA-A receptors, producing sedative and hypnotic effects.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Usually 200-300 mg at bedtime, may be adjusted based on response. Not to exceed 600 mg/day.

Pediatric: Not recommended for use in children due to safety concerns.

Geriatric: Use with caution; start at lower doses due to increased sensitivity and risk of adverse effects.

Renal Impairment: Adjust dose based on renal function; close monitoring advised.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; dose adjustment may be necessary.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Well absorbed orally.

Distribution: Widely distributed in body tissues; crosses the blood-brain barrier.

Metabolism: Minimal hepatic metabolism.

Excretion: Primarily excreted unchanged in the urine.

Half Life: Approximately 4-8 hours.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to ethchlorvynol or related compounds.
  • Severe hepatic or renal impairment.

Precautions

  • Use with caution in elderly patients, patients with a history of substance abuse, or respiratory depression.
  • Potential for dependence, abuse, and withdrawal symptoms.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Drowsiness, dizziness (Common)
  • Impaired coordination (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Retinal toxicity, visual disturbances (Rare)
  • Respiratory depression, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • CNS depressants (e.g., alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids) increase sedative effects.

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor for signs of excessive sedation, respiratory depression, dependency.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk of sedation-related accidents
  • Potential for dependence

Implementation: Administer at bedtime, monitor patient response, and assess sleep quality.

Evaluation: Evaluate effectiveness in improving sleep and monitor for adverse effects.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants while taking this medication.
  • Do not operate heavy machinery until effects are known.
  • Report signs of allergic reactions, unusual sleepiness, or mood changes.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Potential for dependence, abuse, and withdrawal if used long-term or in high doses.

Genetic Factors: No specific genetic testing recommended.

Lab Test Interference: May interfere with sleep studies and liver function tests.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, hypotension.

Treatment: Supportive care, airway management, activated charcoal if ingestion is recent, and benzodiazepines for seizures if necessary.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature away from moisture and light.

Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.