Sexual Health What to Know About Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) By Tracee Cornforth Tracee Cornforth LinkedIn Tracee Cornforth is a freelance writer who covers menstruation, menstrual disorders, and other women's health issues. Learn about our editorial process Updated on September 14, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by David Snyder, PharmD, BCPP Medically reviewed by David Snyder, PharmD, BCPP LinkedIn David Snyder, PharmD, BCPP, is a board-certified clinical pharmacist and psychopharmacology expert at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print bbstudio_aad / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Use and Abuse Side Effects Interactions Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) is an illicit drug that belongs to a class of depressants called benzodiazepines. It works by dramatically slowing the function of the central nervous system, but is approximately 10 times more potent than, say, Valium (diazepam) and results in sedation deep enough to render a person who takes it completely incapacitated. For this reason, it is best known as the "date rape drug" as it has been used to facilitate sexual assault. Rohypnol also is abused as a recreational, or "club" drug, often in conjunction with alcohol. Although Rohypnol is used for medicinal purposes in certain other countries, it is not approved for manufacture, sale, or use in the United States where it is classified as a Schedule IV drug. Street Names Besides the date rape drug, Rohypnol also is known as circles, forget pill, forget-me-pill, la rocha, lunch money drug, Mexican valium, pingus, r2, Reynolds, roach, roach 2, roaches, roachies, roapies, robutal, rochas dos, rohypnol, roofies, rophies, ropies, roples, row-shay, ruffies, and wolfies. Use and Abuse Rohypnol is an olive green oblong tablet produced by the pharmaceutical manufacturer Hoffman-La Roche. In Europe and Latin America, due to its quick-acting effects, it sometimes is prescribed as a short-term treatment for insomnia or given to help relax someone prior to receiving anesthesia. In the United States, Rohypnol is used recreationally as a party or club drug, mostly by adolescent boys and young men between 13 and 30. Those who abuse Rohypnol often combine it with alcohol, usually beer, in order to produce an exaggerated high. Part of the appeal of Rohyphol as a party drug is its low cost—about $5 per tablet. People addicted to certain other drugs, such as cocaine, ecstasy, or amphetamines, sometimes turn to Rohypnol to relieve side effects of withdrawal such as irritability and agitation. However, Rohypnol is most notorious as a date rape drug. It has no flavor and dissolves easily in liquids. It can be slipped into a victim's drink without their knowledge, quickly leaving them incapacitated and vulnerable to sexual assault. When dissolved in a light-colored beverage, Rohypnol will dye the drink blue, but it is not discernible in dark beverages like bourbon or cola. Side Effects Within 10 minutes of ingesting Rohypnol, a person will begin to experience its initial effects—nausea, feeling too hot and too cold at the same time, dizziness, confusion, and disorientation. They may have trouble speaking and moving, become socially inhibited, and have visual disturbances, gastrointestinal problems, and urine retention. Their blood pressure will drop and they will become drowsy and eventually black out (lose consciousness.) Side effects of Rohypnol typically peak within two hours but can persist for up to eight hours. Most people who take the drug have no memory of what happened while under its influence. Although it's unlikely you'll remember what occurred while under its influence, if someone slips you Rohypnol there are clues to be aware of:Feeling intoxicated without having drunk much (or any) alcoholConfusion or disorientationFinding yourself in a certain location without knowing how you got thereWaking up feeling confused or hungoverBeing unable to remember anything after having a drinkTo protect yourself, be wary of accepting drinks from anyone you don't know or trust. Never leave a drink unattended or take your eyes off of it. Signs someone else has taken Rohypnol (knowingly or unknowingly) include: Lowered inhibitionsExtreme and uncharacteristic indecisivenessExaggerated intoxicationAggressive or excited behaviorConfusionSleepinessSlurred speechIncreased or decreased reaction time Addiction Recreational use of Rohyphol can result in tolerance, meaning more and more of the drug will be necessary to achieve the desired high, and dependence, which is marked by a driving need to use the drug in order to mitigate the harsh effects of withdrawal, such as. Anxiety Headaches Trembling Mood changes Insomnia Hallucinations Seizures People who become addicted to Rohypnol will experience these withdrawal symptoms when they attempt to stop taking the drug. Some can be fatal so it's advisable to quit taking the drug under a doctor's supervision. Interactions The combination of Rohypnol with alcohol or another drug such as heroin can lead to an overdose or even death. Emergency medical help is vital for anyone who experiences the following after having combined Rohypnol with another substance: Severe sedationUnconsciousnessSlow heart rateSlowed or troubled breathing A Word From Verywell Although it isn't manufactured or even prescribed in the United States, Rohypnol is surprisingly easy to obtain and inexpensive to purchase. Parents and caregivers of teens and young adults should be aware of the signs of drug use as well as the potential dangers of being slipped an illicit drug. Keeping the lines of communication open about the dangers of drugs isn't always easy but it's a goal worth striving for. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 12 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Lehne RA. Pharmacology For Nursing Care (8th Edition). Elsevier Saunders. 2018. U.S. National Institutes of Health: ToxNet. Flunitrazepam. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Rohypnol. Shoup K. Rohypnol. Cavendish Square Publishing. 2015. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Get smart about drugs: Rohypnol. U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Drug Facts: Club Drugs (GHB, Ketamine, and Rohypnol). Virginia State University. Roofies: The Date Rape Drug. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Office on Women’s Health. Date Rape Drugs. Peatfield R, Villalón CM. Headache after exposure to 'date-rape' drugs. 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