Paraldehyde

What is paraldehyde?

Paraldehyde is a medicine that helps to control seizures. Paraldehyde is given rectally.

How should I give my child paraldehyde?

Give your child this medicine:

• exactly as your doctor, nurse, and/or pharmacist tells you, to stop prolonged seizures

What supplies will I need to give my child paraldehyde?

• scissors
• an ampoule of paraldehyde
• a bottle of olive oil
• a syringe
• a needle that is 18 gauge in size
• a red rubber catheter
• a water-based gel lubricant (do not use Vaseline)
• a square piece of gauze that is 2 inches wide and 2 inches long
• a towel
• a cup

How do I give my child paraldehyde?

1. Cut the end off the red catheter so that it will fit tightly over the end of the syringe.
2. Pull the catheter off the syringe. Put the catheter aside.
3. Pour a small amount of olive oil into the cup and put it aside.
4. Put the needle on the syringe. Make sure the needle is tight. Take the cover off the needle.
5. Use a gauze square to hold the top of the ampoule of paraldehyde (for your protection), then snap off the top of the ampoule. The ampoule is the glass tube that contains the medicine.
6. Hold the ampoule with your thumb and first finger. Put the tip of the needle into the paraldehyde. Then pull back on the plunger of the syringe to fill the syringe with paraldehyde. Tilt the ampoule, if you need to, so you can fill the syringe. Fill the syringe with ________mL of paraldehyde. Take the needle off the syringe.
7. Put the tip of the syringe into the cup of olive oil. Pull back on the plunger until you have ________ mL of olive oil in the syringe.
8. Put the red catheter over the end of the syringe. Put the jelly on the buttocks half of the catheter.
9. Place your child on their left side with their knees bent. Put a towel under your child's buttocks.
10. Insert about half the length of the catheter into your child's rectum.
11. Squeeze your child's buttocks together with one hand. Then push slowly on the plunger of the syringe with the other hand. It should take you about 5 minutes to give your child the paraldehyde. After you have finished giving the medicine, slowly take the catheter out.
12. Hold your child's buttocks together for about 5 minutes. If the paraldehyde comes out right after you give it, you may give your child the paraldehyde again.
13. Paraldehyde may irritate the skin. Wash your child's buttocks with soapy water after you have finished giving the medicine.

What other important information should I know about paraldehyde?

• Tell your child's doctor if your child has any unusual or allergic reaction to paraldehyde or any other medicines.
• Keep a list of all medications your child is on and show the list to the doctor or pharmacist. Check with your child's doctor or pharmacist before you give your child any other medicine, even medicine you can buy without a doctor's order (prescription).
• Do not share your child's medicine with others. Do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.
• Make sure you always have enough paraldehyde on hand in case your child needs it. Call your pharmacy at least 2 days before your child runs out of medicine to order refills.
• Keep paraldehyde at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Do NOT store it in the bathroom or kitchen.
• Do not keep any medicines that are out of date. Check with your pharmacist about the best way to throw away outdated or leftover medicines.
  

Keep paraldehyde out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much paraldehyde, call your local Poison Information Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free. 

• Call 1-844 POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, from anywhere in Canada except Quebec.
• Call 1-800-463-5060 if you live in Quebec.