• What is Rohypnol?
• Street Names
• How is it taken?
• What are the effects?
• What are the dangers?
• Is it addictive?

What is Rohypnol?

• Rohypnol is a brand name for Flunitrazepam, a powerful sedative in the benzodiazepine class of drugs.
  
• Rohypnol has never been approved for use in the United States; however, it is legally prescribed for medical use in more than 50 foreign countries for the treatment of insomnia and as a pre-anesthetic.
  
• Widely known as a date-rape drug, Rohypnol is abused more frequently for other reasons -- to produce profound intoxication, boost the high of heroin, and modulate the effects of cocaine.

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Street Names

"Roofies" and "Roach"

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How is it taken?

• Rohypnol is available in small white tablets that can be taken orally, ground up and dissolved in a drink, or snorted.

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What are the effects?

• The pharmacological effects of Rohypnol include sedation, muscle relaxation, reduction in anxiety and prevention of convulsions. It is seven to 10 times more potent than Valium.
  
• Rohypnol may cause users to feel intoxicated; they may have slurred speech, impaired judgement and difficulty walking.
  
• Rohypnol also causes partial amnesia, and individuals are often unable to remember certain events that they experienced while under the influence of the drug.
  
• The effects appear 10 to 20 minutes after taking the drug.
  
• The effects last between four and 24 hours.

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What are the dangers?

• Immediate adverse effects include drowsiness, dizziness, loss of motor control, lack of coordination, slurred speech, confusion and gastrointestinal disturbances.
  
• Rohypnol can cause deep sedation, respiratory distress and blackouts that can last up to 24 hours.
  
• Chronic use can result in physical dependence and withdrawal syndrome when the drug is no longer used.
  
• There is a potential for overdose or death to occur, especially when mixed with alcohol or other drugs.
  
• Chronic use of flunitrazepam can result in physical and psychological dependence and the appearance of a withdrawal syndrome when the drug is discontinued.

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Is it addictive?

Chronic use of flunitrazepam can result in physical and psychological dependence and the appearance of a withdrawal syndrome when the drug is discontinued.
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