Isopral

ISOPRAL, Isopralum, trichloroisopropyl alcohol, CCl₃-CH(OH)CH₃, a hypnotic from the fatty series. Colorless transparent crystals, volatile at ordinary temperature, with a camphor-like odor and a burning, scratching taste; melts at 49°, easily soluble in alcohol, ether, and fatty oils, difficultly soluble in water. Isopral is easily absorbed by the skin and digestive tract, quickly passes into the blood, and is excreted in the urine in the form of conjugated glucuronic acid. Its action is expressed in the depression of the respiratory and vascular centers, lowering of blood pressure, and depression of cardiac activity; like chloral hydrate, Isopral reduces reflex activity; therefore it is used for insomnia caused by increased excitability of the brain, and not by painful sensations. The hypnotic effect of Isopral is twice as strong as that of chloral hydrate, but its paralyzing effect on the heart is also stronger. As side effects of Isopral are noted: dizziness, headache, lassitude, heartburn, urticaria, disturbance of urination. Contraindicated in heart diseases. Dose: 0.5-1.0 before sleep; externally Isopral is used as a hypnotic in doses of 3.0 at a time, rubbing it together with 1.0 of castor oil and alcohol and covering with a compress of gutta-percha paper.