Quaaludes: Uses, Effects & History of Abuse - Drugs.com (2024)

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Nov 19, 2020.

Generic name: methaqualone
Common brand names: Quaalude, Sopor
Other formal names: Cateudil, Dormutil, Hyminal, Isonox, Melsed, Melsedin, Mequelone, Mequin, Methadorm, Mozambin, Optimil, Parest, Renoval, Somnafac, Toquilone Compositum, Triador, Tuazole.
Common or street names: Bandits, Beiruts, Blou Bulle, Disco Biscuits, Ewings, Flamingos, Flowers, Genuines, Lemmon 714, Lemons, Lennons, Lovers, Ludes, Mandies, Qua, Quaaludes, Quack, Quad, Randy Mandies, 714, Soaper, Sopes, Sporos, Vitamin Q, Wagon Wheels

• What are they?
• History
• Uses
• Dosage
• Overdose
• Contraindications
• Side Effects
• Abuse

What are quaaludes?

Quaaludes (methaqualone) are a synthetic, barbiturate-like, central nervous system depressant and a popular recreational drug in the U.S. from the 1960s until the 1980s, when its use was made illegal by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). The active ingredient, methaqualone, is an anxiolytic (lowers anxiety) and a sedative-hypnotic drug that leads to a state of drowsiness.

These drugs, imprinted with the number "714" on the tablet, were initially introduced as a safe barbiturate substitute to help induce sleep, but were later shown to have addiction and withdrawal symptoms similar to other prescription barbiturates.

Quaaludes are rarely encountered on the streets in the U.S. today, but are occasionally confiscated coming across the border.

History of quaaludes

Quaaludes were first synthesized in India in 1950's. It was introduced into America in the 1960s and by the late '60s and '70s it became a popular recreational drug, often found in discos and referred to as a "disco biscuit".

• The abuse potential of Quaaludes soon became apparent and in 1973 methaqualone was placed in Schedule II of the Controlled Substance Act, making it difficult to prescribe and illegal to possess without a prescription.
• In 1984 it was moved to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Federal Schedule I, so Quaaludes are no longer legally available in the United States. Schedule I drugs have a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical treatment use in the U.S., and lack accepted safety for use under medical supervision.

Quaaludes that are sold only for illicit recreational use now are synthesized in illegal laboratories. Illegally produced Quaaludes can contain other central nervous system depressants such as benzodiazepines or even fentanyl.

In the 1960s a methaqualone and diphenhydramine combination pill called Mandrax was sold as a sedative. Current Mandrax pills, made illegally, may also contain benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or ephedrine.

Uses of quaaludes

In 1972, Quaaludes were one of the most frequently prescribed sedatives in United States.

In prescribed doses, Quaaludes promotes relaxation, sleepiness and sometimes a feeling of euphoria (happiness, calmness). It causes a drop in blood pressure and slows the pulse rate. These properties are the reason why it was initially thought to be a useful sedative and anxiolytic.

It became a recreational drug due to its euphoric ("high") effect. Quaaludes were a popular drug of abuse during much of the 1970s, even though both the US and Britain tightened control around their use and dispensing.

Quaaludes dosage

When it was a legal medication, methaqualone was available in tablet and capsule form and came in different strengths.

• Oral methaqualone dosages ranged from 75 to 150 mg for light sedation.
• A commonly prescribed dose was 300 mg. Up to 600 mg was used for strong sedation.
• Tolerance develops rapidly and some users may take up to 2000 mg daily to achieve the same effects.
• Onset of action is approximately 30 minutes after taking methaqualone and duration of action is between 5 to 8 hours.

Overdose

Quaaludes are a central nervous system (CNS) depressant.

• Examples of other CNS depressants include meprobamate, diazepam (Valium) and gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB).
• Overdose of methaqualone can lead to seizures, coma or death.

The range of dangerous doses vary widely. Because these drugs are made in illegal labs, the strength and contents of the actual product may not be known, putting the user at even higher risk.

Taking doses of over 300 mg can be dangerous for first-time users. Quaalude doses of about 8,000 mg per day can be fatal, but depend upon the state of the user's tolerance.

Death can result at much lower doses if Quaaludes are taken with alcohol (ethanol), which is also a central nervous system depressant. "Luding out" where Quaaludes were taken with wine, became a popular college pastime in the 70's.

Learn More: Drug abuse: A National Epidemic

Quaaludes use during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Quaaludes are not recommended during pregnancy as the effects on human fetal development are not clear.

There is no data available about the effects of Quaaludes in breastfeeding.

Contraindications

Quaaludes should not be taken with alcohol or with other central nervous system depressants. This increases the depressant effects and can be fatal.

Do not drive or operate machinery while taking Quaaludes.

Quaalude side effects

Common side effects of Quaaludes include:

• dizziness
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• abdominal cramps
• fatigue
• itching
• rashes
• sweating
• dry mouth
• tingling sensation in arms and legs
• seizures
• reduced heart rate
• slowed breathing (respiration).

Quaaludes can also cause erectile dysfunction and difficulty achieving org*sms. At high doses it can cause mental confusion and loss of muscle control (ataxia).

As with most drugs of abuse, it was found that Quaaludes users made poor decisions and lacked normal abilities under its influence. Driving skills of Quaalude users were often impaired and lead to fatal car accidents.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur.

Quaaludes abuse and dependence

Abuse of Quaaludes creates a barbiturate-type dependence. It is highly addictive and frequent users build a tolerance to it, meaning they need to take higher doses to achieve the same euphoric effect. This makes Quaalude use dangerous, increasing the likelihood of an overdose or death. They can also cause withdrawal symptoms similar to barbiturates, which includes:

• restlessness
• irritability
• nausea
• vomiting
• weakness
• headache
• insomnia
• tremors
• mental confusion
• seizures.

See also

• Bath Salts
• Cannabis
• Cocaine
• Commonly Abused Drugs and Substances
• Devil's Breath
• Ecstasy
• GHB
• Gray Death
• Hashish (Hash)
• Heroin
• Ketamine
• Krokodil
• LSD
• Marijuana
• MDMA (Ecstasy, Molly)
• Mescaline (Peyote)
• Opium
• PCP (Phencyclidine)
• Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms)
• Rohypnol
• Speed (methamphetamine)
• Synthetic Cannabinoids (Synthetic Marijuana, Spice, K2)
• TCP (Tenocyclidine)
• Tianeptine
• U-47700 (Pink)
• Xylazine (Tranq Dope)

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circ*mstances.

Medical Disclaimer