What Is a Quaalude (Methaqualone)?
Quaalude is the brand name for methaqualone, a synthetic, barbiturate-like central nervous system (CNS) depressant. Although it has effects similar to barbiturates, it belongs to the quinazolinone class of drugs. As a sedative-hypnotic, methaqualone was originally prescribed to treat insomnia and anxiety. Its mechanism of action involves enhancing the activity of the GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) neurotransmitter in the brain. This slows down brain activity, reduces anxiety, relaxes muscles, and can induce feelings of euphoria and drowsiness. The drug binds to a site on GABAA receptors that is distinct from those used by benzodiazepines and barbiturates.
The Rise and Fall: A History of Misuse
Methaqualone was first synthesized in India in 1951 during research for new antimalarial medications. It was patented in the U.S. in 1962 and introduced as a supposedly safer alternative to barbiturates, which were known to be highly addictive. By the late 1960s and 1970s, it became the sixth best-selling sedative in the US under brand names like Quaalude and Sopor.
Its popularity, however, quickly shifted from medical to recreational use. Known on the street as "ludes" or "disco biscuits," Quaaludes became a fixture in the party and club scenes of the 1970s. Users discovered that resisting the drug's sleep-inducing effects could produce a potent, euphoric high. This led to rampant abuse, and by 1981, the DEA estimated that Quaaludes were the second most-used recreational drug in the U.S., after marijuana.
The widespread abuse, high potential for addiction, and increasing reports of overdose—especially when mixed with alcohol—led to significant regulatory action. In 1973, methaqualone was moved to Schedule II, making it more difficult to prescribe. Ultimately, due to continued public health concerns, its legal manufacture in the U.S. was halted, and in 1984, the DEA reclassified it as a Schedule I drug, making it illegal to manufacture, possess, or distribute.
Pharmacological Effects, Dangers, and Overdose Risk
The desired effects of Quaaludes include euphoria, relaxation, reduced anxiety, and muscle relaxation. However, the side effects are numerous and dangerous. They include slurred speech, impaired coordination (ataxia), dizziness, confusion, and memory loss. With high doses, users can experience extreme confusion and a loss of muscle control.
One of the greatest dangers associated with Quaaludes is overdose, the risk of which is significantly amplified when the drug is combined with other CNS depressants like alcohol. This combination can lead to severe respiratory depression, coma, seizures, and death. Tolerance can develop quickly, potentially leading users to consume increased amounts to achieve desired effects, which in turn increases the risk of a fatal overdose. The risk of fatal overdose increases at higher doses.
Today, pills sold illicitly as Quaaludes are not from original pharmaceutical production. They are manufactured in clandestine labs and often contain other dangerous substances, including the potent synthetic opioid fentanyl, dramatically increasing the risk of accidental death. The DEA has warned that counterfeit pills are a significant public health threat, with a large percentage containing lethal doses of fentanyl.
Sedative-Hypnotic Comparison
While Quaaludes, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates are all CNS depressants, they have distinct characteristics.
| Feature | Methaqualone (Quaalude) | Benzodiazepines (e.g., Valium, Xanax) | Barbiturates (e.g., Phenobarbital) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drug Class | Quinazolinone | Benzodiazepine | Barbiturate |
| Primary Mechanism | Positive allosteric modulator of GABAA receptors at a unique site | Enhances GABA's effect by binding to the benzodiazepine site on GABAA receptors | Increases the duration of GABA-gated chloride channel opening |
| Original Medical Use | Insomnia, anxiety, muscle relaxant | Anxiety, insomnia, seizures, muscle spasms | Sedation, seizures, insomnia |
| Legal Status (U.S.) | Schedule I (Illegal) | Schedule IV (Prescription only) | Schedule II, III, or IV (Prescription only) |
| Abuse Potential | Very High | High | Very High |
Conclusion
Quaalude, the brand name for methaqualone, is a powerful and dangerous sedative-hypnotic drug that belongs to the quinazolinone class. Though it was once a legal prescription medication marketed as a safer alternative to barbiturates, its high potential for abuse, addiction, and fatal overdose led to its prohibition. It is now classified as a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States, meaning it has no accepted medical use and is illegal to possess. The legacy of Quaalude serves as a critical lesson in pharmacology and public health, demonstrating how quickly a prescribed medication can become a widespread public danger. Any substance purported to be a Quaalude today is illicitly made and carries an extreme risk of containing unknown, lethal substances like fentanyl.
