Chloral hydrate API Manufacturers & Suppliers
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Chloral hydrate | CAS No: 302-17-0 | GMP-certified suppliers
A medication that provides short‑term relief of insomnia and supports preoperative sedation needs, offering controlled calming effects for targeted procedural use.
Therapeutic categories
Primary indications
- Mainly used as a hypnotic in the treatment of insomnia
- However, it is only effective as a hypnotic for short-term use
- May be used as a routine sedative preoperatively to decrease anxiety and cause sedation and/or sleep with respiration depression or cough reflex
Product Snapshot
- Chloral hydrate is supplied as oral and topical small‑molecule formulations including solutions, syrups, capsules, and ointments
- It is used as a short-term hypnotic for insomnia and as a routine sedative for preoperative anxiety reduction
- It has approved, investigational, illicit, and veterinary-approved status across markets including the United States and Canada
Clinical Overview
Pharmacologically, chloral hydrate is a central nervous system depressant belonging to the chlorohydrin class of organic compounds. After administration, it is rapidly metabolized, mainly by hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase, to trichloroethanol, which is considered the primary active moiety. Trichloroethanol enhances inhibitory neurotransmission through potentiation of GABA‑A receptor activity, producing sedation and hypnosis. A further oxidative metabolite, trichloroacetic acid, is pharmacologically inactive but contributes to the overall elimination profile.
Absorption after oral dosing is rapid, with onset of sedative effects occurring within 30 to 60 minutes. Distribution is widespread, and both chloral hydrate and trichloroethanol cross the placenta and enter breast milk. Metabolites are primarily renally excreted, with elimination half‑lives influenced by hepatic function, renal clearance, and age. Accumulation can occur with repeated dosing due to slower elimination of trichloroacetic acid.
Safety considerations include risk of respiratory depression, paradoxical agitation in some patients, cardiac arrhythmias, gastrointestinal irritation, and hepatotoxic or nephrotoxic effects with excessive or prolonged exposure. Drug interactions may arise with other CNS depressants or substances affecting alcohol dehydrogenase activity. Overdose can result in profound CNS depression and requires supportive management.
Notable legacy brand names have existed, but contemporary use is limited and varies by region due to safer alternatives. For API procurement, suppliers should provide documentation verifying identity, impurity profile, stability data, and compliance with pharmacopeial or regional regulatory specifications to ensure suitability for formulation development.
Identification & chemistry
| Generic name | Chloral hydrate |
|---|---|
| Molecule type | Small molecule |
| CAS | 302-17-0 |
| UNII | 418M5916WG |
| DrugBank ID | DB01563 |
ADME / PK
| Absorption | Rapidly absorbed in the GI tract following oral or rectal administration. Chloral hydrate and its active metabolite, trichloroethanol, have been detected in CSF, umbilical cord blood, fetal blood, and amniotic fluid. |
|---|---|
| Metabolism | Metabolized by the liver and erythrocytes to form trichloroethanol, an active metabolite. This reaction is catalyzed by alcohol dehydrogenase and other enzymes. Oxidation of chloral hydrate and trichloroethanol to trichloroacetic acid in the liver and kidneys also occurs to a lesser extent. Trichloroethanol also undergoes glucuronidation to produce an inactive metabolism. |
| Route of elimination | Trichloroethanol, trichloroethanol glucuronide, and trichloroacetic acid are excreted in the urine. Some trichloroethanol glucuronide may be secreted into bile and excreted in the feces. |
Formulation & handling
- Highly water‑soluble small molecule suitable for simple aqueous oral solutions and syrups, with attention to its hygroscopic solid-state handling.
- Formulations should minimize exposure to heat and moisture to limit decomposition and maintain hydrate integrity.
- Topical and oral products require consideration of its reactivity with alcohol-containing excipients to avoid undesired interactions.
Regulatory status
| Lifecycle | Patent protection for the API has lapsed in both the United States and Canada, placing the product in a mature, largely genericized market. Commercial activity is characterized by established competition and limited remaining exclusivity drivers. |
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| Markets | Canada, US |
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Supply Chain
| Supply chain summary | Chloral hydrate is an older sedative‑hypnotic with no active originator presence, and the supply landscape is dominated by numerous packagers and generic manufacturers. Branded and non‑brand products are marketed primarily in the US and Canada, with limited evidence of broader global distribution. Patent expiry long ago enables established generic competition, reflected in the wide range of suppliers. |
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Chloral hydrate is a type of Hypnotics
Hypnotics belong to the pharmaceutical API category, which refers to a class of drugs primarily used to induce sleep or alleviate insomnia. These substances act on the central nervous system (CNS) to promote sedation and relaxation, aiding individuals in falling asleep and maintaining a healthy sleep pattern.
Hypnotics work through various mechanisms, targeting receptors and neurotransmitters involved in regulating sleep-wake cycles. They can enhance the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter that reduces brain activity and induces sedation. By increasing GABAergic signaling, hypnotics help reduce anxiety, calm the mind, and facilitate sleep onset.
Commonly prescribed hypnotics include benzodiazepines, non-benzodiazepine receptor agonists, and melatonin receptor agonists. Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam and temazepam, bind to GABA receptors, intensifying the inhibitory effects of GABA. Non-benzodiazepine receptor agonists like zolpidem and zopiclone act selectively on certain GABA receptors, inducing sleep without causing significant muscle relaxation or antianxiety effects. Melatonin receptor agonists like ramelteon mimic the effects of melatonin, a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle.
Hypnotics are widely prescribed for individuals experiencing sleep disturbances due to various conditions, including insomnia, jet lag, shift work disorder, or other sleep-related disorders. These APIs are manufactured by pharmaceutical companies and can be formulated into different dosage forms, including tablets, capsules, or liquid preparations.
It's essential to note that the use of hypnotics should be carefully monitored, as prolonged or excessive use may lead to dependence, tolerance, or adverse effects. Therefore, consultation with a healthcare professional is necessary to ensure safe and appropriate use of hypnotics for optimal sleep management.
Chloral hydrate API manufacturers & distributors
Compare qualified Chloral hydrate API suppliers worldwide. We currently have 3 companies offering Chloral hydrate API, with manufacturing taking place in 2 different countries. Use the table below to review supplier type, countries of origin, certifications, product portfolio and GMP audit availability.
| Supplier | Type | Country | Product origin | Certifications | Portfolio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caesar & Loretz GmbH (CAE... | Distributor | Germany | Unknown | BSE/TSE, CoA, GMP, ISO9001, MSDS | 211 products |
| Chemische Fabrik Berg | Producer | Germany | Germany | CoA, GMP | 20 products |
| Hänseler AG | Distributor | Switzerland | Germany | CoA, GMP | 174 products |
When sending a request, specify which Chloral hydrate API quality you need: for example EP (Ph. Eur.), USP, JP, BP, or another pharmacopoeial standard, as well as the required grade (base, salt, micronised, specific purity, etc.).
Use the list above to find high-quality Chloral hydrate API suppliers. For example, you can select GMP, FDA or ISO certified suppliers. Visit our help page to learn more about sourcing APIs via Pharmaoffer.
