Paraldehyde - Uses, Side Effects, and Environmental Fate

Paraldehyde was first synthesized in 1829 by Wildenbusch and introduced into clinical practice in the United Kingdom by the Italian physician Vincenzo Cervello in 1882. Paraldehyde, a polymer of acetaldehyde, is a clear colorless or slightly yellow transparent liquid with a strong aromatic as well as a disagreeable taste that at low temperatures, it solidifies into a crystalline mass. This agent decomposes with strong into toxic products that may be released into water, soil, or atmosphere.

Uses

Paraldehyde, a hypnotic and sedative with anticonvulsant effects, occasionally is used in control of seizures and status epilepticus resistant to conventional treatment, alcohol withdrawal, and delirium tremens. Also, paraldehyde is used as a solvent, chemical intermediate, and dyestuff intermediate.

Side Effects

The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Paraldehyde, which give rise to further complications include Convulsions, Hallucinations.

The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Paraldehyde are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Drowsiness, Rashes, Nausea and vomiting, Respiratory depression, Rectal irritation, Stomach pain.

Environmental Fate

Paraldehyde is used in resin manufacture, as a preservative, and in other processes as a solvent. Paraldehyde may enter to the environment via industrial effluents or hospital wastes. Acetaldehyde and acetic acid are two products of degradation of paraldehyde. This compound and its degradation products may be released into water, soil, or atmosphere and then they may be removed from the atmosphere by precipitation.