Glutethimide &
Methaqualone
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.
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