Oral and rectal absorption of chloral hydrate and its betaine complex.

Chloral hydrate and its betaine complex was administered orally and rectally to nine healthy male subjects. The urinary excretion, which was a reflection of absorption, of a metabolite, trichloroacetic acid, was determined. No statistically significant difference was found between the oral absorption of chloral hydrate and its betaine complex and between the rectal absorption of chloral hydrate and its betaine complex. A statistical difference was found between the oral and rectal absorption of chloral hydrate and between the oral and rectal absorption of chloral betaine.