Methaqualone (brand name Quaalude in the US and Mandrax in the UK) is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant of the quinazolinone class that acts as a sedative and hypnotic. The sedative–hypnotic activity of methaqualone was first noted by 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 sedative and muscle relaxant. It is still produced and used clandestinely as a recreational drug throughout the world. The drug was popular in the 1970s with hippies and in the disco club scene, known as ludes (from "quaaludes") or disco biscuits.
Metaqualon molecular structure diagram from the DrugsPRO substance library.
Also known as: Methaqualone, 714s, Sopor, Ludes, Quack, Parest, Quaalude, Mandrax, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Sopes, Mandrakes, Quacks
Classification
Chemical: Medicine
Chemical: Quinazolinone
Psychoactive: Depressant
Tag: Anxiolytic
Tag: GABAergic
Tag: Habit-Forming
Tag: Muscle Relaxant
Tag: Sedative
Effects
Sedation
Physical Euphoria
Muscle Relaxation
Respiratory Depression
Anxiolytic
Sedative
Anxiety Suppression
Thought Deceleration
Dream Potentiation
Analysis Suppression
Euphoria
Compulsive Redosing
Disinhibition
Increased Libido
Increased Music Appreciation
Changes In Felt Gravity
Visual Acuity Suppression
Double Vision
Routes of Administration
Oral
Dosage
Heavy: 600+ mg
Light: 75 – 150 mg
Common: 150 – 300 mg
Strong: 300 – 500 mg
Threshold: 75 mg
Duration
Onset: 0.33-0.75 h
Peak: 2-4 h
Offset: 2-4 h
After Effects: 6-24 h
Total Duration: 4-8 h
Smoked
Dosage
Heavy: 300 mg
Light: 50 – 100 mg
Common: 100 – 200 mg
Strong: 200 – 300 mg
Threshold: 50 mg
Duration
No data available for this section yet.
Harm Reduction
Check interactions before mixing substances, pay attention to dose spacing and hydration, and treat all dosage guidance as approximate rather than guaranteed safe.
Sources
Substance data is aggregated from the following public harm-reduction and reference sources.
This static page is intended as a readable non-JS and prerender-friendly library export.
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Metaqualone - DrugsPRO substansvejledning
Metaqualone: Methaqualone (brand name Quaalude in the US and Mandrax in the UK) is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant of the quinazolinone class that acts as a sedative and hypnotic. The sedative–hypnotic activity of methaqualone was first noted by researchers in the 1950s and in 1962 methaqu
