Expert: JM Starkman, MD - 7/26/2011

Question
It is to my understanding that often prior to surgery chloral hydrate will be used for preoperative sedation. I have read that some common side effects are nausea and vomiting because of gastric irritation. I also read that they come in 2 forms, oral and rectal.

My question is if used in rectal form as opposed to oral being it bypasses the digestive track is it more likely to eliminate the nause and vomiting symptoms

Answer
You didn't mention what country you're from.  In the US, Europe and Australia chloral hydrate is not used much any more--if at all-- as it has been supplanted by benzodiazepines and other iv medications. Some pediatric anesthesiologists may still employ it for small children.  Using a medication rectally does not bypass the bloodstream:  it is absorbed from the lower (instead of the upper) part of the alimentary canal into the portal system, processed by the liver and passed into the systemic bloodstream where it acts on the central nervous system to provide sedation--and possibly the side effect of nausea and vomiting. So, the short answer to your question is "no".