What to Know About Rohypnol (flunitrazepam)

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.

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.

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.

Signs someone else has taken Rohypnol (knowingly or unknowingly) include:

• Lowered inhibitions
• Extreme and uncharacteristic indecisiveness
• Exaggerated intoxication
• Aggressive or excited behavior
• Confusion
• Sleepiness
• Slurred speech
• Increased or decreased reaction time

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.

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 sedation
• Unconsciousness
• Slow heart rate
• Slowed or troubled breathing

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.