Methaqualone
Timeline
| 1955 | Methaqualone was first synthesized in India by M.L. Gujral and was soon being marketed as a non-addictive sleeping pill. 1 | |
| 1960 | Methaqualone is sold by the Boots company under the names Melsed and Melsedin and by Marck as Renoval. 1 | |
| 1965 | Methaqualone is sold by Roussel labs in combination with an antihistamine under the name Mandrax. 1 | |
| Late 60s | Methaqualone becomes a commercial success in the United States where it is sold under the name Quaalude. It also becomes a popular street drug. 1 | |
| 1971 | Methaqualone becomes regulated in Britain under the UK Misuse of Drugs Act due to its increasing popularity as a recreational drug. | |
| 1973 | Methaqualone is placed in Schedule II in the United States making it difficult to prescribe and illegal to possess without a prescription. | |
| Early 80s | Methaqualone is withdrawn from the market in Britain due to its addictive qualities. | |
| 1984 | Methaqualone is moved to Schedule I in the United States, making it illegal to buy, sell, or possess. |
References
- Rudgley R. The Encyclopaedia of Psychoactive Substances. Thomas Dunne Books, 1998.