Methaqualone: Difference between revisions

{{Short description|Sedative–hypnotic drug withdrawn due to recreational abuse}}

{{cs1 config|name-list-style=vanc|display-authors=6}}

{{Infobox drug

| Watchedfields = changed

| verifiedrevid = 418472840

| IUPAC_name = 2-Methyl-3-''o''-tolyl-4(3''H'')-quinazolinone;<br />3,4-Dihydro-2-methyl-4-oxo-3-''o''-tolylquinazoline;<br />2-Methyl-3-(2-methylphenyl)-4-(3''H'')-quinazolinone

| width = 175

| image2 = [https://www.discretemedicine.com/product/methadol Methaqualone] ball-and-stick model.png

| width2 = 250

<!-- Clinical data -->

| pronounce = {{IPAc-en|m|ɛ|θ|ə|ˈ|k|w|eɪ|l|oʊ|n}}

| tradename = Bon-Sonnil, Dormogen, Dormutil, Mequin, Mozambin, Pro Dorm, Quaalude, Somnotropon, Torinal, Tuazolona<br/>

'''Methaqualone hydrochloride''':<br/> Cateudyl, Dormir, Hyptor, Melsed, Melsedin, Mequelon, Methasedil, Nobadorm, Normorest, Noxybel, Optimil, Optinoxan, Pallidan, Parest, Parmilene, Pexaqualone, Renoval, Riporest, Sedalone, Somberol, Somnifac, Somnium, Sopor, Sovelin, Soverin, Sovinal, Toquilone, Toraflon, Tualone, Tuazol

| legal_AU = S9

| legal_BR = F2

| legal_BR_comment = <ref>{{Cite web |author=Anvisa |author-link=Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency |date=2023-07-24 |title=RDC Nº 804 - Listas de Substâncias Entorpecentes, Psicotrópicas, Precursoras e Outras sob Controle Especial |trans-title=Collegiate Board Resolution No. 804 - Lists of Narcotic, Psychotropic, Precursor, and Other Substances under Special Control|url=https://www.in.gov.br/en/web/dou/-/resolucao-rdc-n-804-de-24-de-julho-de-2023-498447451 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230827163149/https://www.in.gov.br/en/web/dou/-/resolucao-rdc-n-804-de-24-de-julho-de-2023-498447451 |archive-date=2023-08-27 |access-date=2023-08-27 |publisher=[[Diário Oficial da União]] |language=pt-BR |publication-date=2023-07-25}}</ref>

| legal_CA = Schedule III

| legal_UK = Class B

| legal_US = Schedule I

| legal_DE = Anlage II

| legal_UN = P II

| pregnancy_US = D<!-- Identifiers -->

| CAS_number_Ref = {{Cascite|correct|??}}

| DrugBank_Ref = {{Drugbankcite|correct|drugbank}}

| ChemSpiderID_Ref = {{Chemspidercite|correct|chemspider}}

| ChemSpiderID = 6055

| UNII_Ref = {{Fdacite|correct|FDA}}

| UNII = 7ZKH8MQW6T

| KEGG_Ref = {{Keggcite|correct|kegg}}

| KEGG = D00557

| ChEMBL_Ref = {{Ebicite|correct|EBI}}

| ChEMBL = 282052

<!-- Chemical data -->

| smiles = Cc1ccccc1-n1c(C)nc2ccccc2c1=O

| StdInChI_Ref = {{Stdinchicite|correct|chemspider}}

| StdInChI = 1S/C16H14N2O/c1-11-7-3-6-10-15(11)18-12(2)17-14-9-5-4-8-13(14)16(18)19/h3-10H,1-2H3

| StdInChIKey_Ref = {{Stdinchicite|correct|chemspider}}

| StdInChIKey = JEYCTXHKTXCGPB-UHFFFAOYSA-N

| drug_name=|alt=|caption=|type=|MedlinePlus=|legal_status=|licence_EU=|pregnancy_AU=|pregnancy_category=|licence_US=|elimination_half-life=Biphasic (10–40; 20–60 hours)|protein_bound=70–80%

<!-- Definition and medical uses -->

'''Methaqualone''' is a [[hypnotic]] [[sedative]]. It was sold under the brand names '''Quaalude''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|w|eɪ|l|uː|d}} {{respell|KWAY|lood}}) and '''Sopor''' among others, which contained 300&nbsp;mg of methaqualone, and sold as a [[combination drug]] under the brand name '''Mandrax''', which contained 250&nbsp;mg methaqualone and 25&nbsp;mg [[diphenhydramine]] within the same tablet, mostly in Europe. Commercial production of methaqualone was halted in the mid-1980s due to widespread abuse and addictiveness. It is a member of the [[quinazolinone]] class.

<!-- History, society and culture -->

The sedative–hypnotic activity of methaqualone was recognized in 1955. In 1962, methaqualone was patented in the United States by [[Novadel-Agene|Wallace and Tiernan]].<ref>{{US Patent|3135659}}</ref> 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 use|recreational drug]] and [[club drug]] in the late 1960s and 1970s, known variously as "ludes" or "disco biscuits"<ref name="newsweek">{{cite news | vauthors = Bekiempis V |title=Do People Still Take Quaaludes? |url=https://www.newsweek.com/do-people-still-take-quaaludes-357914 |access-date=22 July 2023 |work=Newsweek |publisher=NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC |date=August 2, 2015}}</ref> due to its widespread use during the popularity of [[disco]] in the 1970s, or "sopers" (also "soaps") in the United States and Canada, and "mandrakes" and "mandies" in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. The substance was sold both as a [[free base]] and as a salt (hydrochloride). This use means the drug is [[prohibition of drugs|controlled]] in most countries, and is so under Schedule II of the [[United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances]].

== Medical use ==

Methaqualone primarily acts as a sedative, relieving anxiety and promoting sleep. Methaqualone binds to [[GABAA receptor|GABA-A receptors]], and it shows negligible affinity for a wide array of other potential targets, including other receptors and [[neurotransmitter transporter]]s.<ref name="Hammer-2015">{{cite journal | vauthors = Hammer H, Bader BM, Ehnert C, Bundgaard C, Bunch L, Hoestgaard-Jensen K, Schroeder OH, Bastlund JF, Gramowski-Voß A, Jensen AA | title = A Multifaceted GABAA Receptor Modulator: Functional Properties and Mechanism of Action of the Sedative-Hypnotic and Recreational Drug Methaqualone (Quaalude) | journal = Molecular Pharmacology | volume = 88 | issue = 2 | pages = 401–420 | date = August 2015 | pmid = 26056160 | pmc = 4518083 | doi = 10.1124/mol.115.099291 }}</ref> Methaqualone is a positive [[allosteric modulator]] at many subtypes of GABA-A receptor, similar to classical [[benzodiazepine]]s such as [[diazepam]]. GABA-A receptors are inhibitory, so methaqualone tends to inhibit action potentials, similar to GABA itself or other GABA-A agonists. Unlike most benzodiazepines, methaqualone acts as a negative allosteric modulator at a few GABA-A receptor subtypes, which tends to cause an excitatory response in neurons expressing those receptors. Because methaqualone can be either excitatory or inhibitory depending on the subunit composition of the GABA-A receptor, it can be characterized as a mixed GABA-A receptor modulator.<ref name="Hammer-2015" /> The methaqualone binding site is distinct from the [[benzodiazepine]], [[barbiturate]], and [[neurosteroid]] binding sites on the GABA-A receptor complex, and it may partially overlap with the [[etomidate]] binding site.<ref name="Hammer-2015" />

Methaqualone was not recommended for use while pregnant and is in [[pregnancy category#United States|pregnancy category D]].<ref>{{Cite web| work = TheDrugSafety.com |title=Methaqualone in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding|url=http://thedrugsafety.com/methaqualone/|access-date=15 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002101854/http://thedrugsafety.com/methaqualone/|archive-date=2012-10-02|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Overdose ==

An [[Drug overdose|overdose]] can lead to nervous system shutdown, [[coma]] and [[death]].<ref>

{{Cite web | title= Recreational drugs tranquilizers | publisher= Drug Library EU | url= http://www.druglibrary.eu/library/books/recreationaldrugs/tranquilizers.htm | url-status= dead | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130302121332/http://www.druglibrary.eu/library/books/recreationaldrugs/tranquilizers.htm | archive-date= 2013-03-02 }}</ref>

Additional effects are [[delirium]], [[convulsion]]s, [[hypertonia]], [[hyperreflexia]], [[vomiting]], [[kidney failure]], coma, and death through [[cardiac arrest|cardiac]] or [[respiratory arrest]]. It resembles barbiturate poisoning, but with increased motor difficulties and a lower incidence of cardiac or respiratory depression.

The standard single tablet adult dose of Quaalude brand of methaqualone was 300&nbsp;mg when made by Lemmon. A dose of 8000&nbsp;mg is lethal and a dose as little as 2000&nbsp;mg could induce a coma if taken with an [[alcoholic beverage]].<ref name=Linder>{{Cite news | vauthors = Linder L | title= Quaalude manufacturer: Image hurt by street use | newspaper= Lawrence Journal-World | date= 28 May 1981 |via=[[Google Newspapers]] | agency= Associated Press |volume=123 |issue=148 |publication-place=[[Lawrence, Kansas|Lawrence]], [[Kansas]], United States of America | veditors = Simons Jr DC, Mayer B, Nordyke R, Torrey A | url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2199&dat=19810528&id=VpkyAAAAIBAJ&pg=4915,6415336 | access-date= 16 August 2013 | page= 6 | quote= Eckman/Fisher}}</ref>

== Pharmacology ==

Methaqualone peaks in the bloodstream within several hours, with a half-life of 20–60 hours. It has a diverse mechanism of action and mainly acts as a [[GABAA receptor|GABA_A receptor]] modulator, leading to increased inhibitory transmission and downstream sedative effects via [[Allosteric modulator|allosteric modulation]] and [[Receptor agonism|agonism]] of several GABA_AR subtypes.<ref name="Hammer-2015" />

Similar to other [[GABAergic]] agents, methaqualone will produce tolerance and physical dependence with extended periods of use.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Suzuki T, Koike Y, Chida Y, Misawa M | title = Cross-physical dependence of several drugs in methaqualone-dependent rats | journal = Japanese Journal of Pharmacology | volume = 46 | issue = 4 | pages = 403–410 | date = April 1988 | pmid = 3404770 | doi = 10.1254/jjp.46.403 | doi-access = free }}</ref>

== History ==

Methaqualone was first synthesized in India in 1951 by Indra Kishore Kacker and [[Syed Husain Zaheer]], who were conducting research on finding new [[antimalarial medication]]s.<ref name=Linder /><ref>{{Cite journal | vauthors = van Zyl EF | title = A survey of reported synthesis of methaqualone and some positional and structural isomers | journal = Forensic Science International | volume = 122 | issue = 2–3 | pages = 142–9 | date = November 2001 | pmid = 11672968 | doi = 10.1016/S0379-0738(01)00484-4}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | vauthors = Kacker IK, Zaheer SH | title = Potential Analgesics. Part I. Synthesis of substituted 4-quinazolones | journal = J. Ind. Chem. Soc. | volume = 28 | date = 1951 | pages = 344–346}}</ref> By 1965, it was the most commonly prescribed sedative in Britain, where it has been sold legally under the names Malsed, Malsedin, and Renoval. In 1965, a methaqualone/antihistamine combination was sold as the sedative drug Mandrax in Europe, by Roussel Laboratories (now part of [[Sanofi|Sanofi S.A.]]). In 1972, it was the sixth-bestselling sedative in the US,<ref name="pmid6261132">{{cite journal | vauthors = Foltz RL, Fentiman AF, Foltz RB | title = GC/MS assays for abused drugs in body fluids | journal = NIDA Research Monograph | publisher = United States Department of Health and Human Services | location = Washington, D.C. | volume = 32 | pages = 1–198 | date = August 1980 | pmid = 6261132 | url = http://www.drugabuse.gov/pdf/monographs/32.pdf | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20041022175440/http://www.drugabuse.gov/pdf/monographs/32.pdf | archive-date = 2004-10-22}}</ref> where it was legal under the [[Brand#Brand name|brand name]] Quaalude.

Quaalude in the United States was originally manufactured in 1965 by the pharmaceutical firm [[William H. Rorer, Inc.]], based in [[Fort Washington, Pennsylvania]]. The drug name "Quaalude" is a [[portmanteau]], combining the words "quiet interlude" and shared a stylistic reference to another drug marketed by the firm, [[Maalox]].<ref name="Time">{{Cite magazine |title=Dividends: Dropping the Last 'Lude |magazine=Time |date=28 November 1983 |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,926386,00.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081222021600/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,926386,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 22, 2008 |access-date=16 August 2013}}</ref>

In 1978, Rorer sold the rights to manufacture Quaalude to the Lemmon Company of [[Sellersville, Pennsylvania]]. At that time, Rorer chairman John Eckman commented on Quaalude's bad reputation stemming from illegal manufacture and use of methaqualone, and illegal sale and use of legally prescribed Quaalude: "Quaalude accounted for less than 2% of our sales, but created 98% of our headaches."<ref name=Linder />

Both companies still regarded Quaalude as an excellent sleeping drug. Lemmon, well aware of Quaalude's public image problems, used advertisements in medical journals to urge physicians "not to permit the abuses of illegal users to deprive a legitimate patient of the drug". Lemmon also marketed a small quantity under another name, Mequin, so doctors could prescribe the drug without the negative connotations.<ref name=Linder />

The rights to Quaalude were held by the JB Roerig & Company division of [[Pfizer]], before the drug was discontinued in the United States in 1985, mainly due to its psychological addictiveness, widespread abuse, and illegal recreational use.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Quaaludes Again | vauthors = Silverstein S |publisher=Captain Wayne's Mad Music.com |url=http://www.madmusic.com/song_details.aspx?SongID=12080}}</ref>

== Society and culture ==

=== Brand names ===

It was sold under the brand name Quaalude and sometimes stylized "Quāālude" in the [[United States]] and [[Canada]],<ref>{{Cite book | vauthors = Rile K |title=Winter Music |date=1983 |publisher=Little, Brown and Company |location=Boston and Toronto |isbn=978-0-316-74657-1 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/wintermusic00rile/page/41 41, 59] |edition=First |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/wintermusic00rile/page/41 }}</ref> and Mandrax in the [[United Kingdom|UK]], [[South Africa]], and [[Australia]].

=== Regulation ===

Methaqualone was initially placed in Schedule I as defined by the UN [[Convention on Psychotropic Substances]], but was moved to Schedule II in 1979.<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.incb.org/incb/en/psychotropic-substances/green-lists.html |title=green-lists| vauthors = Sandouk L |website=www.incb.org|access-date=2017-09-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918112353/http://www.incb.org/incb/en/psychotropic-substances/green-lists.html|archive-date=2017-09-18|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In Canada, methaqualone is listed in Schedule III of the [[Controlled Drugs and Substances Act]] and requires a prescription, but it is no longer manufactured. Methaqualone is banned in India.<ref name=ban>{{Cite web|url=http://cdsco.nic.in/html/drugsbanned.html |title=Drugs banned in India |publisher=Central Drugs Standard Control Organization, Dte.GHS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India |access-date=2013-09-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221053621/http://cdsco.nic.in/html/drugsbanned.html |archive-date=2015-02-21}}</ref>

In the United States it was withdrawn from the market in 1983 and made a Schedule I drug in 1984.<ref>{{Cite web |work = PubChem |title=Methaqualone |url= https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/6292 |access-date=2021-05-19| publisher = U.S. National Library of Medicine |language=en}}</ref>

=== Recreational ===

[[File:Quaalude.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A variety of methaqualone pills and capsules]]

Methaqualone became increasingly popular as a recreational drug in the late 1960s and 1970s, known variously as "ludes" or "sopers" (also "soaps") in the United States and "mandrakes" and "mandies" in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. ''Sopor'' is a Latin word for sleep.

The drug was more tightly regulated in Britain under the [[Misuse of Drugs Act 1971]] and in the U.S. from 1973. It was withdrawn from many developed markets in the early 1980s. In the United States it was withdrawn in 1983 and made a [[Controlled Substances Act#Schedule I drugs|Schedule I]] drug in 1984. It has a DEA [[ACSCN]] of 2565 and in 2022 the aggregate annual manufacturing quota for the United States was 60<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Established Aggregate Production Quotas for Schedule I and II Controlled Substances and Assessment of Annual Needs for the List I Chemicals Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine, and Phenylpropanolamine for 2022 | work = Federal Register, the Daily Register of the United States Government | author = Drug Enforcement Administration |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/12/02/2021-26227/established-aggregate-production-quotas-for-schedule-i-and-ii-controlled-substances-and-assessment }}</ref> grams.

Mention of its possible use in some types of cancer and AIDS treatments has periodically appeared in the literature since the late 1980s. Research does not appear to have reached an advanced stage. The DEA has also added the methaqualone analogue [[mecloqualone]] (also a result of some incomplete clandestine syntheses) to Schedule I as ACSCN 2572, with a manufacturing quota of 30 g.<ref name=":0" />

Gene Haislip, the former head of the Chemical Control Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), told the PBS documentary program ''[[Frontline (American TV program)|Frontline]]'', "We beat 'em." By working with governments and manufacturers around the world, the DEA was able to halt production and, Haislip said, "eliminated the problem".<ref>{{cite web | vauthors = Ferns S | url = http://www.deamuseum.org/education/transcripts/DEAM_GeneHaislip_102507.pdf | title = Lecture: Gene Haislip : The Chemical Connection: A Historical Perspective on Chemical Control | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140331040934/http://www.deamuseum.org/education/transcripts/DEAM_GeneHaislip_102507.pdf | archive-date= 31 March 2014 | work = Drug Enforcement Administration Museum Lecture Series | location = Arlington, Virginia | date = 25 October 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | vauthors = Piccini S | url = https://alumni.wm.edu/magazine_pdf/2010-spring.pdf#page=38 | title = Drug Warrior: The DEA's Gene Haislip '60, B.C.L. '63 Battled Worldwide Against the Illegal Drug Trade – and Scored a Rare Victory | work = William & Mary Alumni Magazine | publisher = [[College of William & Mary]] | date = Spring 2010 }}</ref> Methaqualone was manufactured in the United States under the name Quaalude by the pharmaceutical firms [[William H. Rorer, Inc.|Rorer]] and Lemmon with the numbers 714 stamped on the tablet, so people often referred to Quaalude as 714's, "Lemmons", or "Lemmon 7's".

Methaqualone was also manufactured in the US under the trade names Sopor and Parest. After the legal manufacture of the drug ended in the United States in 1982, underground laboratories in [[Mexico]] continued the illegal manufacture of methaqualone throughout the 1980s, continuing the use of the "714" stamp, until their popularity waned in the early 1990s. Drugs purported to be methaqualone are in a significant majority of cases found to be inert, or contain diphenhydramine or benzodiazepines.

Illicit methaqualone is one of the most commonly used recreational drugs in [[South Africa]]. Manufactured clandestinely, often in India, it comes in tablet form, but is smoked with marijuana. This method of ingestion is known as "white pipe".<ref name="SA">{{Cite web|url=http://www.drugaware.co.za/mandrax.html|title=Mandrax|year=2003|work=DrugAware|publisher=Reality Media|access-date=2009-08-13}}</ref><ref name="Cochrane">{{Cite journal | vauthors = McCarthy G, Myers B, Siegfried N | title = Treatment for methaqualone dependence in adults | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | issue = 2 | pages = CD004146 | date = April 2005 | pmid = 15846700 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD004146.pub2}}</ref> It is popular elsewhere in Africa and in India.<ref name="Cochrane" />

=== Chemical weapon – Project Coast ===

{{main|Project Coast}}

Illegal efforts to weaponize methaqualone have occurred. During the 1980s, the [[apartheid]] regime in South Africa ordered the covert manufacture of a large amount of methaqualone at the [[Front organization|front company]] [[Delta G Scientific Company]], as part of a secret [[chemical weapon]]s program known as [[Project Coast]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Project Coast: Apartheid's Chemical and Biological Warfare Program |url=https://unidir.org/sites/default/files/publication/pdfs//project-coast-apartheid-s-chemical-and-biological-warfare-programme-296.pdf |publisher=United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) |location=Geneva, Switzerland}}</ref> Methaqualone was given the codename ''MosRefCat'' (Mossgas Refinery Catalyst). Details of this activity came to light during the 1998 hearings of the post-apartheid [[Truth and Reconciliation Commission (South Africa)|Truth and Reconciliation Commission]].

=== Sexual assault ===

{{Main|Drug-facilitated sexual assault}}

Actor [[Bill Cosby]] admitted in a civil deposition to giving Quaalude to women before [[Bill Cosby sexual assault cases|allegedly sexually assaulting them]].<ref>{{Cite news | vauthors = Bowley G, Ember S |date=2015-07-19 |title=Bill Cosby, in Deposition, Said Drugs and Fame Helped Him Seduce Women |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/19/arts/bill-cosby-deposition-reveals-calculated-pursuit-of-young-women-using-fame-drugs-and-deceit.html |access-date=2023-01-24 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | vauthors = Bowley G, Somaiya R |date=2015-07-07 |title=Bill Cosby Admission About Quaaludes Offers Accusers Vindication |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/08/business/bill-cosby-said-in-2005-he-obtained-drugs-to-give-to-women.html |access-date=2023-01-24 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Film director and convicted rapist [[Roman Polanski]] has administered Quaalude to a 13-year-old girl before sexually assaulting her.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-01-30 |title=What does Hollywood's reverence for child rapist Roman Polanski tell us? |url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/jan/30/hollywood-reverence-child-rapist-roman-polanski-convicted-40-years-on-run |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref>

=== Popular culture ===

Quaaludes are mentioned in the 1983 film ''[[Scarface (1983 film)|Scarface]]'', when

Al Pacino's character Tony Montana says, "Another quaalude... she'll love me again."

Quaaludes are also referenced extensively in the 2013 film [[The Wolf of Wall Street (2013 film)|''The Wolf of Wall Street'']].<ref>{{Cite web | vauthors = Loughrey C | date = 18 September 2017 |title=Jordan Belfort had to teach Leonardo DiCaprio how to look like he was on drugs for Wolf of Wall Street |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/wolf-of-wall-street-leonardo-dicaprio-jordan-belfort-look-like-on-drugs-for-movie-quualudes-a7952646.html |access-date= 24 January 2023 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref> Many songs also refer to quaaludes, including the following: [[David Bowie]]'s "[[Time (David Bowie song)|Time]]" ("Time, in quaaludes and red wine") and "[[Rebel Rebel]]" ("You got your cue line/And a handful of 'ludes"); "Cosmic Doo Doo" by the American [[country music]] singer-songwriter [[Blaze Foley]] ("Got some quaaludes in their purse"); "[[That Smell]]" by [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]] ("Can't speak a word when you're full of 'ludes"); "[[Flakes]]" by [[Frank Zappa]] ("(Wanna buy some mandies, Bob?)"); "[[Straight Edge (song)|Straight Edge]]" by [[Minor Threat]] ("Laugh at the thought of eating ludes"); and "Kind of Girl" by [[French Montana]] ("That high got me feelin' like the Quaaludes from ''Wolf of Wall Street''"). It is also used by Patrick Melrose in Edward St Aubyn's 1992 novel "Bad News".{{cn|date=May 2024}}

Parody [[glam rock]]er "Quay Lewd", one of the costumed performance personae used by [[The Tubes|Tubes]] singer [[Fee Waybill]], was named after the drug.

[[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (season 18)|Season 18]] of ''[[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit]]'' addresses Quaalude administration as a [[date rape drug]] in episode 9, "Decline and Fall", which aired January 18, 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.christiantimes.com/trends/law-order-svu-season-18-episode-9-spoilers-bob-gunton-guest-stars-as-billionaire-rapist.html|title='Law & Order: SVU' season 18 episode 9 spoilers: Bob Gunton guest stars as billionaire rapist|website=The Christian Times|author=Janna Dela Cruz|language=en|date=January 15, 2017|access-date=February 19, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvfanatic.com/2017/01/law-and-order-svu-season-18-episode-9-review-decline-and-fall/|website=TV Fanatic|title=Law & Order: SVU Season 18 Episode 9 Review: Decline and Fall|author=Jack Ori|date=January 18, 2017|access-date=February 19, 2023}}</ref>

==Further reading ==

{{refbegin}}

* {{cite journal | vauthors = Hammer H, Bader BM, Ehnert C, Bundgaard C, Bunch L, Hoestgaard-Jensen K, Schroeder OH, Bastlund JF, Gramowski-Voß A, Jensen AA | title = A Multifaceted GABAA Receptor Modulator: Functional Properties and Mechanism of Action of the Sedative-Hypnotic and Recreational Drug Methaqualone (Quaalude) | journal = Molecular Pharmacology | volume = 88 | issue = 2 | pages = 401–420 | date = August 2015 | pmid = 26056160 | pmc = 4518083 | doi = 10.1124/mol.115.099291 }}

{{refend}}

== References ==

{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

{{Commons category}}

* [https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/methaqualone/ Erowid Vault – Methaqualone (Quaaludes)]

{{Hypnotics and sedatives}}

{{GABAA receptor positive modulators}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulators]]

[[Category:Quinazolinones]]

[[Category:Sedatives]]

[[Category:Hypnotics]]

[[Category:Amidines]]

[[Category:Withdrawn drugs]]