Methaqualone overdose

By 1972, luding out —taking methaqualone with wine—was popular on college campuses. Excessive use of the drug leads to tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal symptoms similar to those of barbiturates. Overdose by methaqualone is more difficult to treat than barbiturate overdose, and deaths have frequently occurred. In the United States, the marketing of methaqualone pharmaceutical products was discontinued in 1984, and the drug became a Schedule I controlled substance. However, some level of occasional abuse has continued. 

Toxicity. The estimated minimum lethal dose is 5 g in non-tolerant subjects. Drug accumulation is likely in chronic dosing because of the long half-life. Toxic effects may be associated with plasma concentrations greater than 2 pg/ml, and plasma concentrations greater than about 8 pg/ml are likely to produce coma and may be lethal. The 2 -hydroxymethyl metabolite, which has been found unconjugated in both blood and urine in overdose cases, may contribute to the degree of intoxication. Abuse of methaqualone, particularly when taken in conjunction with diphenhydramine, has been reported. 

Methaqualone is completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract within 2h. The rate of absorption of the HCl salt is faster than that of the freebase form because of faster dissolution in the stomach. Methaqualone is nearly completely metabolized by the liver by hydroxylation. It is highly lipophilic with a volume of distribution of 2-6lkg. The elimination half-life is 40 h for therapeutic doses and may be prolonged after overdose. Metabolites are excreted in the urine. These metabolites may be found in the urine up to 7 days postingestion. 

This category includes various sedative agents ranging from light to heavy in both effects and overdose potential. Specifically. Librium. Valium, the chlorpromazines (Thorazine. Stellazine). Miltown. and the currently popular methaqualone preparations such as Quaaludes, Sopors. Mandrax (Canada UK), and many more. 

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. 

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