PARALDEHYDE Meaning and
Definition
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Paraldehyde is a colorless liquid chemical compound known for its sedative and hypnotic properties. It is chemically classified as a cyclic trimeric acetal, with the molecular formula C6H12O3. Paraldehyde has been used for medical purposes, primarily as a sedative and anticonvulsant, since the late 19th century.
Due to its sedative properties, paraldehyde has been used to treat conditions such as insomnia, anxiety, and alcohol withdrawal symptoms. It depresses the central nervous system and induces sleep by affecting the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which helps regulate brain activity.
Paraldehyde is typically administered orally or through injection. The liquid has a pungent, fruity odor and a bitter taste. It has a slow onset of action, with effects lasting for several hours. However, its use has decreased over the years due to concerns about its side effects and the development of more effective medications.
Common side effects of paraldehyde include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and respiratory depression. In higher doses, it can also cause more severe effects such as confusion, seizures, and respiratory arrest. Therefore, it is crucial for paraldehyde to be administered only under medical supervision and in carefully monitored doses.
Overall, paraldehyde is a sedative and hypnotic agent used in the medical field. Its use has declined over time due to the development of alternative medications, but it still remains an important historical compound in the field of pharmacology.
Common Misspellings for PARALDEHYDE
- oaraldehyde
- laraldehyde
- -araldehyde
- 0araldehyde
- pzraldehyde
- psraldehyde
- pwraldehyde
- pqraldehyde
- paealdehyde
- padaldehyde
- pafaldehyde
- pataldehyde
- pa5aldehyde
- pa4aldehyde
- parzldehyde
- parsldehyde
- parwldehyde
- parqldehyde
- parakdehyde
Etymology of PARALDEHYDE
The word "paraldehyde" is derived from the Greek words "para" meaning "beside" or "near" and "aldehyde" referring to a class of organic compounds.
The term "aldehyde" comes from the Latin word "alcohol dehydrogenatum", which means "dehydrogenated alcohol". "Alcohol" is derived from the Arabic word "al-kuḥūl", which originally referred to a fine powder used as antimony eyeliner. Over time, the term came to refer to various distilled spirits and eventually to a class of organic compounds that contain a carbonyl group (C=O) attached to a carbon atom.
On the other hand, the prefix "para" comes from the Greek word "para" meaning "beside" or "near". In chemistry, it often denotes two substituents located on opposite sides of an atom or a benzene ring.
Similar spelling word for PARALDEHYDE
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