Editing Methaqualone (section)

== Pharmacology ==

=== Pharmacodynamics ===
Methaqualone primarily acts as a sedative, relieving anxiety and promoting sleep. Methaqualone binds to [[GABAA receptor|GABA<sub>A</sub> receptors]], and it shows negligible affinity for a wide array of other potential targets, including other receptors and [[neurotransmitter transporter]]s.<ref name="Hammer-2015">{{cite journal |vauthors=Hammer H, Bader BM, Ehnert C, Bundgaard C, Bunch L, Hoestgaard-Jensen K, Schroeder OH, Bastlund JF, Gramowski-Voß A, Jensen AA |date=August 2015 |title=A Multifaceted GABAA Receptor Modulator: Functional Properties and Mechanism of Action of the Sedative-Hypnotic and Recreational Drug Methaqualone (Quaalude) |journal=Molecular Pharmacology |volume=88 |issue=2 |pages=401–420 |doi=10.1124/mol.115.099291 |pmc=4518083 |pmid=26056160}}</ref> Methaqualone is a positive [[allosteric modulator]] at many subtypes of GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor, similar to classical [[benzodiazepine]]s such as [[diazepam]]. GABA<sub>A</sub> receptors are inhibitory, so methaqualone tends to inhibit action potentials, similar to GABA itself or other GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor agonists. Unlike most benzodiazepines, methaqualone acts as a negative allosteric modulator at a few GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor subtypes, which tends to cause an excitatory response in neurons expressing those receptors. Because methaqualone can be either excitatory or inhibitory depending on the subunit composition of the GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor, it can be characterized as a mixed GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor modulator.<ref name="Hammer-2015" /> The methaqualone binding site is distinct from the [[benzodiazepine]], [[barbiturate]], and [[neurosteroid]] binding sites on the GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor complex, and it may partially overlap with the [[etomidate]] binding site.<ref name="Hammer-2015" />

=== Pharmacokinetics ===
Methaqualone peaks in the bloodstream within several hours, with a half-life of 20–60 hours.