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Paraldehyde

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paraldehyde (pârăl`dəhīd'), nervous system depressant depressant, any one of various substances that diminish functional activity, usually by depressing the nervous system. Barbiturates, sedatives, alcohol, and meprobamate are all depressants. Depressants have various modes of action and effects.
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 similar to alcohol in its effects and used as a sedative sedative, any of a variety of drugs that relieve anxiety. Most sedatives act as mild depressants of the nervous system, lessening general nervous activity or reducing the irritability or activity of a specific organ.
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. A colorless flammable liquid with a disagreeable odor, paraldehyde produces sleep for up to 12 hr. with little or no muscle, heart, or respiratory depression. It is often given to alcoholics having delirium tremens, to induce sleep, and is also used to calm psychiatric patients. Like alcohol and other depressants it is addictive (see drug addiction and drug abuse drug addiction and drug abuse, chronic or habitual use of any chemical substance to alter states of body or mind for other than medically warranted purposes.
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). Paraldehyde is also used in the manufacture of synthetic resins, as a preservative, and in preparing leather. It is produced by treating acetaldehyde with a small amount of sulfuric acid.
paraldehyde [pə′ral·də‚hīd]
(organic chemistry)
C6H12O3Acetaldehyde polymer; colorless, flammable, toxic liquid, miscible with most organic solvents, soluble in water; melts at 12.6°C, boils at 124.5°C; used as a chemical intermediate, in medicine, and as a solvent.

Paraldehyde 

a trimer of acetaldehyde. Colorless liquid, boiling point 1240C. The structure of paraldehyde is

The compound readily depolymerizes upon heating with a small quantity of sulfuric acid, and is thus a convenient storage form of acetaldehyde. Paraldehyde exhibits a weak narcotic effect.



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We used barbiturates and paraldehyde for the particularly uncooperative.
Methanol, ethanol, and paraldehyde levels were normal.
Intravenous diazepam achieved quicker sedation of patients, compared with rectal paraldehyde in one study, and there was no difference in sedation times between intramuscular diazepam and oral barbital in another, said Dr.
 
 
 
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