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Drug Information > Methaqualone
Drug Appearance:
Tablets
Street Names:
• Ludes • Sopor • Lemmon • QuaaludeSigns of Use:
Slow heart rate and breathing, lowered blood pressure, sleepiness, feelings of well-being, loss of coordination, laziness, impaired perception, confusion, later hangover
Dangers:
Anxiety, insomnia
Common forms of Methaqualone:
| Proprietary (Trade) Name | Substance | DEA Schedule* |
| Sopor® | Methaqualone | II |
Further Information
Glutethimide (Doriden®) was introduced in 1954 and methaqualone ("Quaalude" Sopor®) in 1965 as safe barbiturate substitutes. Experience demonstrated, however; that their addiction liability and the severity of withdrawal symptoms were similar to those of barbiturates.
By 1972, "luding out," taking methaqualone with wine, was a popular college pastime. Excessive use leads to tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal symptoms similar to those of barbiturates.
In the United States, the marketing of methaqualone pharmaceutical products stopped in 1984, and methaqualone was transferred to Schedule I of the CSA. In 1991, glutethimide was transferred into Schedule II in response to an upsurge in the prevalence of diversion, abuse, and overdose deaths. Today, there is little medical use of glutethimide in the United States.
Source: DEA
Detection
| Substance: | Urine | Hair | Saliva |
| Methaqualone | 1-7 days | N/A | N/A |
*Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Schedule I and II drugs have a high potential for abuse. They require greater storage security and have a quota on manufacture among other restrictions. Schedule I drugs are available for research only and have no approved medical use. Schedule II drugs are available only through prescription, cannot have refills and require a form for ordering. Schedule III and IV drugs are available with prescription, may have 5 refills in 6 months and may be ordered orally. Most Schedule V drugs are available over the counter.
