Afloqualone (trade name Arofuto) is a quinazolinone family GABAergic drug and an analogue of methaqualone, developed in the 1970s by a team at Tanabe Seiyaku Co., Ltd. in Japan. It has sedative and centrally acting muscle-relaxant effects.
Overview
Afloqualone belongs to the quinazolinone class of compounds and is structurally related to methaqualone. It acts as an agonist at the β subtype of the GABAA receptor, producing sedative and muscle-relaxant effects through modulation of the central nervous system.
Clinical Use
The drug has seen some clinical use, primarily as a centrally acting muscle relaxant for the treatment of muscle spasms and related conditions. However, its use has been limited by notable side effects.
Side Effects
Afloqualone is known to cause photosensitization as a side effect, which can lead to skin problems such as dermatitis. Cases of photoleukomelanodermatitis (Kobori) induced by afloqualone have been reported in the medical literature.
Chemical and Physical Data
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| IUPAC Name | 6-Amino-2-(fluoromethyl)-3-(2-methylphenyl)quinazolin-4-one |
| Molecular Formula | C16H14FN3O |
| Molar Mass | 283.306 g·mol⁻¹ |
| CAS Number | 56287-74-2 |
| PubChem CID | 2040 |
| UNII | CO4U2C8ORZ |
| KEGG | D01638 |
| ATC Code | None assigned |
Legal Status
In the United States, afloqualone is unscheduled. It is not commonly prescribed in most Western countries.
References
- US 3966731, Inoue I, Oine T, Yamada Y, Tani J, Ishida R, Ochiai T, "2-Fluoromethyl-3-o-tolyl-6-amino-4(3H)-quinazolinone", issued 29 June 1976, assigned to Tanabe Seiyaku Co Ltd.
- Ochiai T, Ishida R (June 1982). "Pharmacological studies on 6-amino-2-fluoromethyl-3-(O-tolyl)-4(3H)-quinazolinone (afloqualone), a new centrally acting muscle relaxant. (II) Effects on the spinal reflex potential and the rigidity". Japanese Journal of Pharmacology. 32 (3): 427–38.
- Ishikawa T, Kamide R, Niimura M (June 1994). "Photoleukomelanodermatitis (Kobori) induced by afloqualone". The Journal of Dermatology. 21 (6): 430–3.
