Methaqualone and Glutethimide

LUDING OUT

Methaqualone is a sedative-hypnotic drug that is similar in effect to barbiturates, a generalcentral nervous system depressant. The sedative-hypnotic activity was first noted by Indian researchers in the 1950s and in 1962 methaqualone itself was patented in the US by Wallace and Tiernan. Its use peaked in the early 1970s as a hypnotic, for the treatment of insomnia, and as a sedativeand muscle relaxant. It has also been used illegally as a recreational drug. Clandestinely produced methaqualone is seized by government agencies and police forces around the world.

Methaqualone was introduced as an anxiolytic (Quaalude, Sopor) in 1965 as safe Barbiturate substitutes. Experience showed, however, that their addiction liability and the severity of withdrawal sympotoms were similar to those of Barbiturates. By 1972, taking Methaqualone with wine was a popular in college past time. excessive use leads to tolerance, dependence and withdrawal symptoms similar to those barbiturates. overdose by glutethimide and methaqualone is more difficult to treat than barbiturates overdose, and deaths have frequently occurred.

MEDICINAL USE

Methaqualone is a depressant 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, most commonly in 300 mg dosage.

Methaqualone peaks in the bloodstream within several hours, its effects generally lasting four to eight hours. Regular users build up a physical tolerance, requiring larger doses for the same effect. Overdose can lead to nervous system shut down, coma and death.

Methaqualone is not recommended for use while pregnant and is in pregnancy category D. Methaqualone is available in Canada by prescription as a Schedule III drug.

RECREATIONAL USE

Methaqualone became increasingly popular as a recreational drug in the late 1960s and early 1970s, known variously as 'ludes or sopers (also soapers) in the U.S. and mandrakes and mandiesin Great Britain. The drug was used during sexual activity due to heightened sensitivity and lowered inhibition coupled with relaxation and euphoria.

The drug was often used by people who went dancing at glam rock clubs in the early 1970s and at discos in the late 1970s. (One slang term for Quaaludes was disco biscuits.) In the mid 1970s there were bars in Manhattan called juice bars that only served non-alcoholic drinks that catered to people who liked to dance on methaqualone.

Smoking methaqualone, either by itself or as an adulterant added to various legal and illegal smoking mixtures, gained popularity in the US among a few during the mid-1970s. Because the various binders and inert ingredients that were contained in the pill form were toxic when smoked, this practice was roundly decried by the medical community as a serious health risk. Smoking methaqualone pills can lead to emphysema and other chronic lung disorders, most notably talcosis.

EFFECTS

Effects can include euphoria, drowsiness, reduced heart rate, reduced respiration, increased sexual arousal (aphrodisia), and paresthesias (numbness of the fingers and toes). Larger doses can bring about respiratory depression, slurred speech, headache, and photophobia (a symptom of excessive sensitivity to light).

An overdose can cause delirium, convulsions, hypertonia, hyperreflexia, vomiting, renal 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. Toxicity is treated with diazepam and sometimes other anticonvulsants.