Methaqualone Alcohol

Miscellaneous Pharmaceutical Processes. Solvent extraction is used for the preparation of many products that ate either isolated from naturally occurring materials or purified during synthesis. Among these are sulfa dmgs, methaqualone [72-44-6] phenobarbital [50-06-6] antihistamines, cortisone [53-06-5] estrogens and other hormones (qv), and reserpine [50-55-5] and alkaloids (qv). Common solvents for these appHcations are chloroform, isoamyl alcohol, diethyl ether, and methylene chloride. Distribution coefficient data for dmg species are important for the design of solvent extraction procedures. These can be determined with a laboratory continuous extraction system (AKUEVE) (244). 

Also known as methaqualone, Quaalude, ludes and wallbangers. This drug is addictive, sometimes fatal (especially when combined with alcohol) and is best left alone. 

Chloral hydrate, glutethimide, and methaqualone also produce a depressant effect. Chloral hydrate is dangerous to use as an anesthetic, but it has been used to treat persons undergoing withdrawal from heroin, GHB, and alcohol. A mixture of chloral hydrate and alcohol is termed a Mickey Finn and has been used as a date rape drug. 

The sedative and hypnotic effects of methaqualone are greatly increased when the drug is mixed with other CNS depressants such as alcohol or marijuana and can result in coma or death. 

For instance, blurring of vision and diplopia are caused by the use of imipramine, iproniazid, chlorpromazine, thioridazine, and promethazine. Impairment of visual acuity is caused by chlorpropamide, tolbutamide, alcohol, chlorpromazine, phenylbutazone, indomethacin, chloroquine, sulfonamides, ethambutol, chloramphenicol, isonex, clioquinol, quinine, streptomycin, and paraaminosalicylate. Yellow vision (xanthopsia) has been traced to the use of sulfonamides, streptomycin, methaqualone, barbiturates, chlorothiazide,... 

Alcohol is just one of many drugs used to facilitate rape. Others include marijuana, cocaine, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, chloral hydrate, methaqualone ( quaaludes ), heroin, morphine, and LSD. Three of the more commonly used drugs today—and the ones that are the focus of this book—are Rohypnol, gamma hydroxybutyrate ( GHB ), and ketamine. Though Rohypnol and GHB were initially used as recreational drugs at clubs and raves, word soon spread among American youth that these drugs could be used quite effectively to commit rape. 

A teaspoon of GHB powder (about 2.5 grams), dissolved in warm water and taken on an empty stomach, produces within 15 minutes a dramatic effect akin to alcohol or methaqualone intoxication- Most people find the effect pleasant, but in some individuals, especially with higher doses, GHB can cause nausea and marked incoordination along with "hypersomnolence" (a kind of temporary stupor). When combined with alcohol, adverse effects are more likely. 

Sedative-hypnotic drugs and anxiolytic drugs are CNS depressants that are used medically to reduce anxiety and/or induce sleep. They may also be used as anticonvulsants. Phenobarbital, for example, is often the maintenance drug of choice for seizure-prone individuals. In general, the sedative-hypnotic family of drugs includes alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and such barbiturate-like drugs as chloral hydrate, glutethi-mide, meprobamate, and methaqualone. 

PCP (phencyclidine), an anitpal tranquilizer, is often sold on the street in capsules or tablet a[s "THC," and falsely believed to be synthetic marijuana, wn t believe it for a minute. Real THC is much too expensive to produce or market for street use. PCP is also sprayed on parsley, catnip, mint leaves or weak marijuana and sold as "angel dust or "super grass." PCP has an extraordinarily high bummer potential, and in addition can cause an overdose if taken in too great an amount, or In concert with alcohol, barbiturates, methaqualone, etc. 

Alcohol, methaqualone and diphenhydramine , (p.47), are all CNS depressants, the effeets of whieh are additive. A hangover ean oeeur because the elimination half-life of methaqualone is long (10 to 40 hours). 

The CNS depressant effects of alcohol and its detrimental effects on the skills relating to driving or handling other potentially dangerous machinery are increased by the concurrent use of methaqualone with or without diphenhydramine. 

A double-blind study in 12 healthy subjects given two Mandrax tablets (methaqualone 250 mg with diphenhydramine 25 mg) showed that the resulting sedation and reduction in cognitive skills were enhanced by alcohol 0.5 g/kg. Residual amounts of a single-dose ofMandrax continued to interact for as long as 72 hours. Methaqualone blood levels are also raised by regular moderate amounts of alcohol. Enhanced effects were also seen in another study. ... 

---