Sedatives & Hypnotics
Methaqualone (Quaalude / Mandrax)
Street names: Quaalude, Ludes, Mandrax, Mandies, Disco biscuits
Overdose? Act now. Call emergency services — say "unresponsive, not breathing". Give naloxone for opioid-like signs. Hotlines
⚡What it does
- Sedative-hypnotic: relaxation, euphoria, disinhibition, legendary 'aphrodisiac' myth
- At higher doses: stumbling 'luding out'
⚠Key risks
- The original party pill of the 1970s — banned after dependence and overdose epidemics
- Respiratory depression, seizures in overdose
- South Africa's mandrax epidemic continues — smoked with cannabis ('white pipe')
- Modern black-market 'ludes' are almost always fake (benzos, diphenhydramine)
- Withdrawal: seizures, hallucinations
✚Overdose signs
- Deep coma
- Slow/absent breathing
- Seizures
- Pinpoint-then-dilated pupils
Category comparison — Sedatives & Hypnotics
| Substance | Class | Top risks | Street price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Methaqualone (Quaalude / Mandrax) | Schedule I | The original party pill of the 1970s — banned after dependence and overdose epidemics; Respiratory depression, seizures in overdose | Fake tablets $5–$20 |
| Zolpidem (Ambien/Stilnox) | Schedule IV | Sleep-walking, sleep-driving, hallucinations; Dependence and rebound insomnia | ~$2–$10 per 10 mg tablet |
| Secobarbital (Seconal) | Schedule II | Barbiturates: tiny margin between dose and death; Fatal in overdose, brutal withdrawal (seizures) — replaced by benzos in medicine | ~$15–$40 per capsule where diverted |
| Carisoprodol (Soma) | Schedule IV | Converts to meprobamate (Miltown) — dependence; Popular 'Soma Coma' mix with opioids — deadly | ~$1–$8 per 350 mg tablet |
| Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) | Not scheduled | Overdose causes hallucinations, seizures, heart rhythm problems; Abuse usually in combination (potentiates opioids) | ~$1–$5 per 10 mg tablet |
| Pentobarbital (Nembutal) | Schedule II | Veterinary euthanasia drug — overdose is usually fatal; Narrow safety margin (barbiturate) | ~$30–$100+ per vial/capsule-equivalent |
Street prices are regional estimates. Potency and cuts vary constantly.
?Frequently asked questions
What does Methaqualone (Quaalude / Mandrax) look like?
White tablets (historical 'Lemmon 714'); modern mandrax = crushed methaqualone mixed with cannabis smoked in SA pipes
What are the signs of a Methaqualone (Quaalude / Mandrax) overdose?
Deep coma; Slow/absent breathing; Seizures Call emergency services immediately.
How addictive is it?
The original party pill of the 1970s — banned after dependence and overdose epidemics Dependence can develop with regular use.