Rohypnol

Rohypnol is the brand name of flunitrazepam, a medication with sedative effects that is produced and marketed for medical use. Rohypnol belongs to a family of medications called benzodiazepines, which also includes diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan). Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants, which decrease anxiety and cause drowsiness, and slow your heart rate, breathing and thinking. Rohpnol’s main medical use is short-term treatment for insomnia.

Rohypnol has been referred to in the media as a “date rape” drug. While there is little evidence of Rohypnol use in Canada, there have been reports of drugs being used to facilitate sexual assault. Such cases involved other drugs such as GHB, ketamine, alcohol and other benzodiazepines.

The Effects of Use:

The effects of Rohypnol begin within 30 minutes and peak within two hours. As little as 1 mg can have effect for eight hours. Depending upon how much you take, Rohypnol can make you feel anything from relaxed and calm, to drowsy and clumsy, to unconscious.

Even when Rohypnol is taken without alcohol or other drugs, users can appear “drunk”. The effects of Rohypnol include reduced inhibition and judgment, slurred speech, weakness and staggering, dizziness, confusion and severe drowsiness. Users may also experience visual disturbances and amnesia. These effects are intensified when Rohypnol is combined with alcohol, and often results in “blackouts”, or periods of time, from eight to 24 hours, for which the person has no memory.