Methaqualone

Methaqualone, formerly sold under the brand name Quaalude and Mandrax, is a sedative and hypnotic medication. It is a member of the quinazolinone class. Methaqualone, formerly sold under the brand name Quaalude and Mandrax, is a sedative and hypnotic medication. It is a member of the quinazolinone class. The sedative–hypnotic activity of methaqualone was first noted in the 1950s. In 1962, methaqualone was patented in the US by Wallace and Tiernan. Its use peaked in the early 1970s for the treatment of insomnia, and as a sedative and muscle relaxant. Methaqualone became increasingly popular as a recreational drug and club drug in the late 1960s and 1970s, known variously as 'ludes' or 'sopers' (also 'soaps') in the U.S. and 'mandrakes' and 'mandies' in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. The substance was sold both as a free base and as salt (hydrochloride). It is also a common date rape drug. Methaqualone is a sedative that increases the activity of the GABA receptors in the brain and nervous system. When GABA activity is increased, blood pressure drops and the breathing and pulse rates slow, leading to a state of deep relaxation. These properties explain why methaqualone was originally mainly prescribed for insomnia. Methaqualone was not recommended for use while pregnant and is in pregnancy category D. Overdose can lead to nervous system shutdown, coma and death. An overdose can cause delirium, convulsions, hypertonia, hyperreflexia, vomiting, kidney failure, coma, and death through cardiac or respiratory arrest. It resembles barbiturate poisoning, but with increased motor difficulties and a lower incidence of cardiac or respiratory depression. The standard one tablet adult dose of Quaalude brand of methaqualone was 300 mg when made by Lemmon. A dose of 8000 mg is lethal and a dose as little as 2000 mg could induce a coma if taken with an alcoholic beverage.