Triclofos sodium syrup (Tricloryl® syrup) is mainly used for pretreatment in EEG examinations and sedation before CT and MRI. The unpleasant taste of the syrup, however, occasionally causes compliance problems with children. As we had also experienced difficulties in obtaining sufficient supplies of this medicine for a few months, we prepared a chloral hydrate syrup in our hospital as a substitute for triclofos sodium syrup, aiming to reduce the unpleasant taste and smell of chloral hydrate in the process. Stability and sterility were also investigated. The results of a taste test in healthy volunteers showed that the taste and smell of a 4% chloral hydrate syrup were improved by using an apple flavor, aspartame and a simple syrup base. In our stability and sterility study under the storage condition of 4°C with shading over 6 months, the potency of the syrup was maintained (95 %) and there was no bacterial contamination. These results suggest that the 4% chloral hydrate syrup prepared in our hospital as a substitute for triclofos sodium syrup could improve the compliance of children.
