Also known as
roofies, forget-me-pill, R-2, rophies, roach, rope, forget me drug, roches, ruffles, date rape drug, la roche, rib, roofenol, the forget pill, getting roached, lunch money drug, mexican valium, pingus, reynolds, robutal, wolfies, circles, forget pill, forget-me-pill, la rocha, roach 2, roaches, roachies, roapies, rochas dos, ropies, roples, row-shay, ruffies
Classification
Overview
Rohypnol is the common and brand name for Flunitrazepam, a benzodiazepine sometimes used in the treatment of sleep disorders 1.
Medical usage
It is used in the short-term treatment of insomniadifficulty in going to sleep or in getting enough sleep, as a pre-medication in surgical procedures and for inducing anaesthesiathe state in which someone does not feel pain, usually because of drugs they have been given. More 2. For short-term treatment of severe insomnias, that are not responsive to other hypnotics 3.
What does it look like?
Usually come in tablet form. 1 mg in the UK being green, film coated marked ‘542’ oval and centrally scored (previously scored purple rhomboids). Non-water soluble. Some non-UK sources can be 2 mg, white and medium-small, quartered and more soluble in water. This was the probably the derivation of the ‘date-rape’ reputation 1.
Prior to 1997, Rohypnol ® was manufactured as a white tablet (0.5 – 2 milligrams per tablet), and when mixed in drinks, was colourless, tasteless, and odourless. In 1997, the manufacturer responded to concerns about the drug’s role in sexual assaults by reformulating the drug.
Rohypnol ® is now manufactured as an oblong olive green tablet with a speckled blue core that when dissolved in light-coloured drinks will dye the liquid blue. However, generic versions of the drug may not contain the blue dye 4.
A benzodiazepine with pharmacologic actions similar to those of diazepam that can cause anterograde amnesiarefers to loss of memory for events after an incident, in this case, a drink that has been 'spiked'. More. Some reports indicate that it is used as a date rape drug and suggest that it may precipitate violent behaviour. The United States Government has banned the importation of this drug 3.
Why take it?
Sought after effects
- relaxing,
- sleepy,
- reduced anxiety 1.
Undesired effects
- aggressive behaviour,
- deep and intense memory loss,
- complete loss of movement and lack of coordination potentially leaving users very vulnerable 1.
What are the different forms?
Rohypnol, previously available as a white tablet that dissolved without colour or taste, is now formulated as a caplet that is light green with a blue core. The manufacturer instituted this change to help identify tampered drinks at clubs. When dissolved in clear liquids the blue core will turn the clear liquid to blue. However, when dissolved in darker-coloured liquids, the blue dye may not be noticeable. Generic versions of Rohypnol may not contain the blue dye 2.
How long do its effects last?
Onset of effects
Duration of effects
Pharmacology
The pharmacological actions of flunitrazepam are shared with other benzodiazepine drugs in that they enhance the effect of the body’s main inhibitory neurotransmitter GABAGamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in your brain, meaning it slows your brain's functions. GABA is known for producing a calming effect. 1.
Pharmacodynamics
Flunitrazepam is a powerful hypnoticdrugs that induce sleep by their action on the brain. More drug that is a benzodiazepine derivative. It has powerful hypnoticdrugs that induce sleep by their action on the brain. More, sedativeOne of a diverse group of drugs manufactured for medical purposes to relax the central nervous system. More, anxiolyticDrugs that relieve medically-diagnosed anxiety. More, and skeletal muscle relaxant properties. The drug is sometimes used as a date rape drug. In the United States, the drug has not been approved by the FDAUS Food and Drug Administration for medical use, and is considered to be an illegal drug. It has however been approved in the United Kingdom and other countries 3.
Absorption
50% (suppository) and 64% – 77% (oral) 3.
Metabolism
Hepatic 3.
Half-life
18 – 26 hours 3.
Lethal dosage
Mechanism of action
Benzodiazepines bind nonspecifically to benzodiazepine receptorsnerve endings that sense changes in the body More BNZ1, which mediates sleep, and BNZ2, which affects affects muscle relaxation, anticonvulsant activity, motor coordination, and memory. As benzodiazepine receptorsnerve endings that sense changes in the body More are thought to be coupled to gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) receptorsnerve endings that sense changes in the body More, this enhances the effects of GABAGamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in your brain, meaning it slows your brain's functions. GABA is known for producing a calming effect. by increasing GABAGamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in your brain, meaning it slows your brain's functions. GABA is known for producing a calming effect. affinity for the GABAGamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in your brain, meaning it slows your brain's functions. GABA is known for producing a calming effect. receptor. Binding of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABAGamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in your brain, meaning it slows your brain's functions. GABA is known for producing a calming effect. to the site opens the chloride channel, resulting in a hyperpolarized cell membrane that prevents further excitation of the cell 3.
How is it taken?
Signs of usage
- blackout with complete loss of memory,
- dizziness,
- slowed breathing,
- disorientation,
- nausea,
- difficulty with motor movements and speaking 8.
Interactions
Food
Dangerous
- Alcohol – Ethanol ingestion may potentiate the CNSthe Central Nervous System, upon which certain drugs act effects of many benzodiazepines. The two substances potentiate each other strongly and unpredictably, very rapidly leading to unconsciousness. While unconscious, vomit aspirationvomit being inhaled into the lungs, a potentially life-threatening condition More is a risk if not placed in the recovery position. Blacking out and memory loss is almost certain.
- GBL / GHB – The two substances potentiate each other strongly and unpredictably, very rapidly leading to unconsciousness. While unconscious, vomit aspirationvomit being inhaled into the lungs, a potentially life-threatening condition More is a risk if not placed in the recovery position.
- Opioids – Central nervous systembrain and spinal cord and/or respiratory-depressant effects may be additively or synergisticallyThe effect arising between two or more agents, entities, factors, or substances that produce an effect greater than the sum of their individual effects. More present. The two substances potentiate each other strongly and unpredictably, very rapidly leading to unconsciousness. While unconscious, vomit aspirationvomit being inhaled into the lungs, a potentially life-threatening condition More is a risk if not placed in the recovery position. Blackouts/memory loss likely.
- Tramadol – Central nervous system- and/or respiratory-depressant effects may be additively or synergisticallyThe effect arising between two or more agents, entities, factors, or substances that produce an effect greater than the sum of their individual effects. More present. Vomit aspirationvomit being inhaled into the lungs, a potentially life-threatening condition More is a risk when passed out, lay down in recovery position if ingested 5.
Unsafe
- PCP – Both substances potentiate the ataxialoss of motor coordination More and sedationthe state of being relaxed or sleepy because of a drug More caused by the other and can lead to unexpected loss of consciousness at high doses. While unconscious, vomit aspirationvomit being inhaled into the lungs, a potentially life-threatening condition More is a risk if not placed in the recovery position. Memory blackouts are likely 5.
Withdrawal
- anxiety,
- insomniadifficulty in going to sleep or in getting enough sleep,
- nausea,
- dizziness,
- depression,
- convulsionswhen your body shakes violently without you meaning it to,
- psychosis 10.
Harm reduction
Rohypnol is an extremely powerful prescription only medicine, and should only safely be used under the direction of a doctor 1.
- If you do take it recreationally, use only very small doses,
- Never use it with people you don’t know and trust completely,
- Make sure there is at least one reliable person with you who isn’t using, and that they’re aware that you are,
- Never give it to anyone else,
- If you think you or someone you’re with may have had their drink spiked, call 999 immediately 1.
History
Rohypnol was developed by the Swiss company Hoffman-La Roche, who had been working with benzodiazepines since the 1950’s, in 1975. Its potential for misuse was quickly recognised, but it was not until 1995 that the UN reclassified it from a Schedule 4 to a Schedule 3 drug (meaning greater restrictions on its prescription were required). It was known to be used on the gay scene in the 1980’s/1990’s.
Despite the negative associations with the drug, Rohypnol continues to be a popular sedativeOne of a diverse group of drugs manufactured for medical purposes to relax the central nervous system. More due to its fast and long acting effects, although doctors are now far more cautious in prescribing it. There remains a small but significant black market for the drug 1.
Footnotes:
Rohypnol – Flunitrazepam, 2017, http://www.release.org.uk/drugs/rohypnol-flunitrazepam
Rohypnol, 2017, https://www.drugs.com/illicit/rohypnol.html
Flunitrazepam, 2017, https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB01544
DEAUS Drug Enforcement Administration More, Drugs of Abuse, 2015, Drug Enforcement Administration, https://www.dea.gov/pr/multimedia-library/publications/drug_of_abuse.pdf
Flunitrazepam, 2017, http://drugs.tripsit.me/flunitrazepam
Rohypnol and GHB Basic Facts, 2015, https://www.verywell.com/rohypnol-and-ghb-basic-facts-66989
Rohypnol, 2017, https://drugfree.org/drug/rohypnol/
Flunitrazepam, 2017, https://wiki.tripsit.me/wiki/Flunitrazepam
Rohypnol, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 2003, https://hnhu.org/wp-content/uploads/rohypnol_dyk1.pdf