Rohypnol
- 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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