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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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