Etaqualone

Etaqualone

Etaqualone is a quinazolinone class GABAergic and is an analogue of methaqualone that was developed in the 1960s by a team at William H. Rorer Inc. and was marketed mainly in France and some other European countries. It has sedative, hypnotic and anxiolytic effects caused by its agonist activity at the β subtype of the GABAa receptor and was used for the treatment of insomnia.

History

Etaqualone was developed in the 1960s as a safe alternative to barbiturates to treat anxiety and insomnia. However, it was found to have similar problems of abuse and addiction as the drugs it was designed to replace, and was fairly quickly withdrawn from the market due to these issues.

Pharmacology

Etaqualone is a central nervous system depressant and its effects are primarily due to its agonist activity at the β subtype of the GABAa receptor. It has similar effects to benzodiazepines but is structurally distinct and so is classed as a nonbenzodiazepine sedative.

Side Effects

Side effects of etaqualone can include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and sweating. Overdose can cause respiratory depression, coma, and death.

Legal Status

Etaqualone is a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States, and is similarly controlled in other parts of the world. It is rarely used in medicine today.

See Also

• Methaqualone
• GABAa receptor
• Benzodiazepine

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