Methaqualone

Methaqualone
Clinical data
Pronunciation/mɛθəˈkwln/
Trade namesQuaalude, Sopor, Mandrax
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
  • AU: S9 (Prohibited substance)
  • BR: Class F2 (Prohibited psychotropics)[1]
  • CA: Schedule III
  • DE: Anlage II (Authorized trade only, not prescriptible)
  • UK: Class B
  • US: Schedule I
  • UN: Psychotropic Schedule II
Pharmacokinetic data
Protein binding70–80%
Elimination half-lifeBiphasic (10–40; 20–60 hours)
Identifiers
IUPAC name
  • 2-Methyl-3-o-tolyl-4(3H)-quinazolinone;
    3,4-Dihydro-2-methyl-4-oxo-3-o-tolylquinazoline;
    2-Methyl-3-(2-methylphenyl)-4-(3H)-quinazolinone
CAS Number
PubChem CID
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEBI
ChEMBL
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
ECHA InfoCard100.000.710
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC16H14N2O
Molar mass250.301 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
Melting point113 °C (235 °F)
SMILES
  • Cc1ccccc1-n1c(C)nc2ccccc2c1=O
InChI
  • InChI=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 Y
  • Key:JEYCTXHKTXCGPB-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y
  (verify)

Methaqualone is a sedative-hypnotic medication that was widely prescribed during the mid-20th century. It was marketed under various brand names, including Quaalude (/ˈkwld/ KWAY-lood) and Sopor, typically containing 300 mg of methaqualone per tablet. A combination drug known as Mandrax was sold primarily in Europe, containing 250 mg of methaqualone and 20 mg of diphenhydramine in a single tablet.

Methaqualone belongs to the quinazolinone class of compounds. Its commercial production was discontinued in many countries during the mid-1980s due to widespread misuse, addiction, and associated public health concerns.

  1. ^ Anvisa (2023-07-24). "RDC Nº 804 - Listas de Substâncias Entorpecentes, Psicotrópicas, Precursoras e Outras sob Controle Especial" [Collegiate Board Resolution No. 804 - Lists of Narcotic, Psychotropic, Precursor, and Other Substances under Special Control] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário Oficial da União (published 2023-07-25). Archived from the original on 2023-08-27. Retrieved 2023-08-27.