Phenazepam

Also known as

Kronic, bonsai, bonsai supersleep, fenazepam

Classification

Depressant

Overview

Phenazepam is a powerful benzodiazepine, which are drugs referred to as minor tranquillisers because they relieve tension and anxiety, and help the user feel calm and relaxed. Phenazepam has been reported as approximately five times stronger than Valium (another well known tranquilliser), so it is easy to take too much and overdose. Phenazepam is not used in the UK as a medicine, but it is used in Russia to treat epilepsy and neurological disorders. Phenazepam was previously sold and marketed as a 'legal high' or as fake Valium .

Medical usage

Phenazepam is used in Russia for the treatment of neurological disorders such as epilepsy, alcohol withdrawal symptoms and insomnia. It can be used as a pre-medication before surgery as a sedative, it reduces anxiety to induce sleep and is a muscle relaxant. It is not used medically in the UK .

What does it look like?

It can be found in (white) powder form or, rarely in 1mg/ml dropper bottles . Phenazepam is mainly sold either as a fine white powder or as a liquid .

Source

Imported, also sold on the internet .

Street price

Phenazepam costs between £18 and £20 for one gram of powder and £12.50 for a 20ml bottle of liquid phenazepam .

Why take it?

Sought after effects

At low doses -

• relaxing,
• helps with sleep ,
• relaxation,
• relief of tension,
• relief of anxiety .

Undesired effects

At higher doses -

• dizziness
• loss of memory (can be very profound at high doses),
• loss of coordination ,
• drowsiness,
• light-headedness,
• confusion,
• forgetfulness,
• hiccups .

Dosage

Abuse

• light - 0.5 - 1 mg,
• common - 1 - 2 mg,
• heavy - 2 - 4 mg .

How long do its effects last?

Onset of effects

• all ROA's - 15 - 60 minutes .

Duration of effects

• all ROA's - 18+ hours .

After-effects

• all ROA's - 36+ hours .

Pharmacology

The pharmacological effects of phenazepam resemble those seen with other benzodiazepines in that it increases the effects of the principle inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA .

How is it taken?

• snorted - it is most commonly snorted or 'bombed'. A 'bomb' is prepared by wrapping individual doses in cigarette paper .

Phenazepam can be snorted or swallowed. Like other benzodiazepines, phenazepam can be used as a chill-out drug. Some people may use it to help them to come down off acid, speed or ecstasy after a big night.

But phenazepam is very strong and so it is easy to take too much and overdose. Some users have ended up in hospital after taking too much .

Risks

Short-term

• overdose,
• accidents .

Long-term

• tolerance,
• dependence,
• severe withdrawal symptoms if suddenly stopped,
  • panic attacks,
  • severe anxiety,
  • convulsions .

Purity

Medical phenazepam will be pure, but there is no way of knowing whether the phenazepam you are buying or taking is pure or not .

Addiction

Can you get addicted

Benzodiazepines like phenazepam can cause serious psychological and physical addiction.

Because of the development of tolerance, some users have to keep increasing their dose to get the same hit or to just try and feel normal again.

If you have used phenazepam for a long period of time you may experience substantial withdrawal symptoms when you stop, including anxiety, insomnia and tremors; and as for all minor tranquillisers, these problems could last for a long time .

Interactions

Dangerous

• Alcohol - Ethanol ingestion may potentiate the CNS effects of many benzodiazepines. The two substances potentiate each other strongly and unpredictably, very rapidly leading to unconsciousness. While unconscious, vomit aspiration 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 aspiration is a risk if not placed in the recovery position.

• Opioids - Central nervous system and/or respiratory-depressant effects may be additively or synergistically present. The two substances potentiate each other strongly and unpredictably, very rapidly leading to unconsciousness. While unconscious, vomit aspiration 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 synergistically present. Vomit aspiration a risk when passed out, lay down in recovery position if ingested .

Unsafe

• PCP - Both substances potentiate the ataxia and sedation caused by the other and can lead to unexpected loss of consciousness at high doses. While unconscious, vomit aspiration is a risk if not placed in the recovery position. Memory blackouts are likely .

Legality

• phenazepam is a Class C drug which means that it's illegal to have for yourself, give away or sell,
• possession can get you up to two years in prison and/or an unlimited fine,
• supplying someone else, even your friends, can get you 14 years in jail and/or an unlimited fine .

Did you know?

Like drinking and driving, driving while high is illegal - and you may still be unfit to drive the day after using phenazepam. You can get a heavy fine, be disqualified from driving or even go to prison .

Harm reduction

Within the UK, concerns about increasing recreational phenazepam use were initially raised by the Scottish Primary Care and Community Directorate in 2010. Later that year, 5 young people from the Scottish Borders were admitted to hospital follwing overdoses.

A warning from North Wales police in January 2011 was issued to warn residents about local drug dealers passing off large quantities of phenazepam as Valium (diazepam). The danger in situations such as this is that people may take larger amounts of phenazepam while unaware that what they are taking is around 20 times more potent than what they believe they are taking .

Paraphernalia

None known .

History

The early origins of phenazepam are hazy, but it is likely that the first synthesis occurred in the USSR in the mid-1970's, with the earliest mentions of it in Soviet medical literature coming from 1978. It was originally intended for use in treating psychological problems, but the discovery of its anti-convulsant properties led to it being investigated as a possible epilepsy treatment.

It was not until the 2000's that the first reports of phenazepam being used recreationally (or at least outside of a prescription setting) emerged in Western Europe. After a swathe of overdoses, including being linked to several fatalities, and the wide availability of the substance on the internet, the UK government moved to ban the importation of phenazepam in July 2011. It was added to the list of controlled substances under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 in 2012. However, it is still manufactured in the Russian Federation, where it is available on prescription and (by some accounts) without a prescription in certain pharmacies. It has appeared as a cutting agent, notably in heroin during the shortage of 2010. As a result, seizures of phenazepam still occasionally take place in the UK .

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