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ACS Chemical Neuroscience Feb 2023Commonly known as "Quaaludes," methaqualone () is a sedative-hypnotic medication, with effects resembling barbiturates and other downers, that exerts its effects through... (Review)
Review
Commonly known as "Quaaludes," methaqualone () is a sedative-hypnotic medication, with effects resembling barbiturates and other downers, that exerts its effects through modulation of γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors (GABAR). Following the discovery of the sedative and euphoric effects of methaqualone (), it was quickly adopted by pharmaceutical companies and promoted by clinicians around the world as a "safe" sleeping pill option, and for a period it was available over the counter. The popularity of methaqualone () soared worldwide, and many people began to use it recreationally for its sedative-hypnotic-like psychoactive effects. Not long after its introduction, many individuals began to misuse the drug leading to overdoses and drug dependence which brought to light methaqualone's () addictive nature. In this review, the background, synthesis, pharmacology, metabolism, and pharmacokinetics of methaqualone () will be covered along with its discovery, history, and the derivatives that are currently available around the world through manufacture in clandestine laboratories.
Topics: Humans; Methaqualone; Hypnotics and Sedatives; Substance-Related Disorders; Drug Overdose
PubMed: 36651763
DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00697 -
International Clinical... Apr 1988Methaqualone is considered a sedative hypnotic drug with a pattern of pharmacological effects similar to those of barbiturates such as pentobarbital. It does have...
Methaqualone is considered a sedative hypnotic drug with a pattern of pharmacological effects similar to those of barbiturates such as pentobarbital. It does have chemical similarities to the barbiturates but was, in fact, synthesized as part of an Indian program looking for antimalarial drugs (Brown and Goenechea, 1973). Methaqualone was selected for the focus of this study five years ago, because of its popularity as a euphoriant among casual recreational drug users in the Boston area. Methaqualone, instead of a barbiturate hypnotic, was therefore used to test our proposed methodology for the assessment of the abuse liability of sedative drugs. As one reviews the history of the clinical use and illicit abuse of methaqualone, it appears particularly unfortunate that a study of this sort was neither completed nor available to our Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in 1965. It was at this time that the drug was approved for prescription use and placed in Schedule V, a schedule which essentially places no restrictions on the clinical use of a prescription drug (Falco, 1976). This paper will both review the development of methaqualone and present an experimental methodology for assessing its abuse liability under seminaturalistic conditions.
Topics: Adult; Euphoria; Female; Humans; Hypnotics and Sedatives; Male; Methaqualone; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 3397524
DOI: 10.1097/00004850-198804000-00001 -
JAMA Jun 1973
Topics: Humans; Methaqualone; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 4739957
DOI: 10.1001/jama.1973.03220250043015 -
British Medical Journal Jan 1969
Topics: Humans; Methaqualone; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 5761820
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.1.5636.122-d -
Archiwum Medycyny Sadowej I Kryminologii 2023The aim of this review article was to collect and analyze the available information on methaqualone and its derivatives reported by users in dedicated online forums.... (Review)
Review
The aim of this review article was to collect and analyze the available information on methaqualone and its derivatives reported by users in dedicated online forums. Methaqualone is a sedative-hypnotic drug that has been widely used for medical purposes in the past, but is now illegal in most countries due to its high abuse potential. The review collected information on doses, routes of administration, desirable and side effects of intoxication and other relevant aspects of the abuse of these compounds. The results of the study suggest that methaqualone and its derivatives continue to be used by some individuals despite their illicit status and potential health risks. The review, in the absence of other more reliable toxicological data, provides valuable insights from direct users on the use of these substances.
Topics: Humans; Methaqualone; Hypnotics and Sedatives
PubMed: 38186032
DOI: 10.4467/16891716AMSIK.22.003.18213 -
North Carolina Medical Journal Nov 1981
Topics: Coma; Humans; Methaqualone; Myoclonus; Respiratory Insufficiency
PubMed: 6947139
DOI: No ID Found -
The Journal of the Maine Medical... May 1974
Topics: Adult; Coma; Humans; Male; Methaqualone; Motor Activity; Substance-Related Disorders; Suicide
PubMed: 4826100
DOI: No ID Found -
Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 1973
Review
Topics: Animals; Biopharmaceutics; Carbon Isotopes; Chemical Phenomena; Chemistry; Chromatography; Humans; Hydroxylation; Methaqualone; Mice; Placebos; Rats; Spectrum Analysis; Structure-Activity Relationship; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 4572797
DOI: 10.1002/cpt1973143314 -
The American Journal of Psychiatry Sep 1973
Topics: Aphrodisiacs; Humans; Methaqualone; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 4727769
DOI: 10.1176/ajp.130.9.1044-b -
Forensic Science International Nov 2001Methaqualone (2-methyl-3-o-tolyl-4(3H)-quinazolinone) is the illicit synthetic drug of choice amongst South African drug users. Historically police and forensic... (Review)
Review
Methaqualone (2-methyl-3-o-tolyl-4(3H)-quinazolinone) is the illicit synthetic drug of choice amongst South African drug users. Historically police and forensic investigation has proven that all methaqualone seized by the South African Police Service originates from illicit manufacturing sites both inside, and outside South Africa's borders. From a drug enforcement, and forensic point of view it is, thus, of utmost importance that the various synthetic routes available to the illicit "chemist" are fully documented and understood. This is a prerequisite for effective illicit laboratory investigation, as well as chemical and precursor monitoring. This paper gives a brief introduction to the current status with regard to methaqualone use and production in South Africa, as well as an extensive review of the synthesis of methaqualone and selected isomers reported since 1946. A table summarizing synthetic routes reported in 32 reference sources is provided.
Topics: Humans; Hypnotics and Sedatives; Isomerism; Methaqualone; South Africa; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 11672968
DOI: 10.1016/s0379-0738(01)00484-4