Chloral hydrate is an older hypnotic that is rarely used today. What is its active metabolite?
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Correct answer: Trichloroethanol
Chloral hydrate is a prodrug that is rapidly converted by alcohol dehydrogenase in the liver to trichloroethanol, the compound responsible for the sedative-hypnotic effects. Trichloroacetic acid is also formed, but it is pharmacologically inactive.
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