Chlormethiazole: an effective oral sedative for cranial CT scans in children.

Oral chlormethiazole was assessed as an alternative form of sedation for cranial computerized axial tomography in children aged 0-9 years. It was found to be highly effective with a rapid onset of action, brief period of action and no side effects. It was found to be preferable to intramuscular lytic cocktail, being particularly suitable for day cases. Chlormethiazole might lend itself to use in other non-painful procedures in childhood.