| Drug Index |
| GENERIC NAME : |
| flunitrazepam |
| BRAND NAMES : |
| Rohypnol, Narcozep, Darkene, Roipnol |
| STREET NAMES : |
| Club drug, Date rape drug, Roofies, Rophies, Roche, Forget-me Pill, Circles, Mexican Valium, Rib, Roach-2, Roopies, Rope, Ropies, Ruffies, Roaches, Robutal, Rolpes, Ruffies, Ruffles, Sedexes, and Wolfies. |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION : |
| Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) is categorized as a sedative/hypnotic belonging to the family of benzodiazepines. Most commonly referred to as a date-rape drug it is used at raves and nightclubs because of its anterograde amnesia effects. Anterograde amnesia is a condition in which events that occur while under the influence of the drug are forgotten. This Schedule IV drug is included in the list of drugs in the Drug-Induced Rape Prevention and Punishment Act of 1996. The drug is not sold in the United States but is available on the illicit market in Mexico, especially Tijuana (http://www.streetdrugs.org/rohypnol.htm). Rohypnol is available as tablets in 0.5 mg and 1 mg and as 1 mg/mL injection. The Hoffman-La Roche company that markets Rohypnol includes a dye in the tablet that is reported to be visible if it is slipped into a drink (http://www.streetdrugs.org/rohypnol.htm). Rohypnol is used to aid in the commission of sexual assault because of the sedation and partial amnesia effects it has. The victims may not be able to resist the sexual assault or recall the facts and details surrounding the assault or the assailant. The drug exposure is difficult to detect in standard screening assays; urine samples need to be obtained within 72 hours after ingestion (Cornforth, 2009). |
| INDICATIONS FOR USE : |
| Rohypnol is used as a short-term treatment for insomnia and as a pre-anesthetic medication in Latin America and Europe. The effects include sedation, muscle relaxation, reduction in anxiety and the prevention of convulsions. Rohypnol has some amnesia effects. It also has stronger sedation effects than other benzodiazepines such as valium. |
| ABUSE AND ADDICTIVE POTENTIAL : |
| Rohypnol is considered addictive and can cause physical dependence. Withdrawal symptoms include headache muscle pain, confusion, hallucinations and convulsions. Seizures may occur up to a week after cessation of use. The abuse of rohypnol is usually seen in high school students, college students, street gang members, rave party attendees, and heroin and cocaine abusers to enhance intoxication, boost the high of heroine and cocaine. Rohypnol is reported to be consumed daily orally or crushed and snorted. Adverse effects by the abuser include dizziness, drowsiness, loss of motor control, lack of coordination, slurred speech, confusion and gastrointestinal disturbances that last for 12 or more hours. |
| OVERDOSAGE : |
| Overdose from higher doses can result in respiratory depression. Chronic use can result in physical dependence and withdrawal syndrome appears with discontinuation (http://www.drugs.com/rohypnol.html). |
| CAUTIONS : |
| Rohypnol impairs cognitive and psychomotor functions affecting reaction time and driving skills. Alcohol and rohpynol should not be used together due to their combined effects on memory and judgment. |
| SIDE EFFECTS : |
| The effects of rohypnol occur within 30 minutes, peak within two hours, and can last for up to eight hours. Persons who become intoxicated on alcohol and rohypnol have "blackouts" that last 8 to 24 hours following ingestion. Another reported effect is disinhibition or losing your social inhibitions which can occur with or without the combination with alcohol. Adverse side effects of Rohypnol include low blood pressure, memory impairment, drowsiness, visual disturbances, dizziness, confusion, gastrointestinal disturbances and urinary retention (Cornforth, 2009). |
| FOR MORE INFORMATION : |
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flunitrazepam
|
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