Rohypnol
DepressantsAlso known as: Roofies, Flunitrazepam, Roach, Roche, Forget-me Pill, R2, Mexican Valium
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All content is written, edited, and medically reviewed by licensed professionals with expertise in addiction medicine and behavioral health.
Benjamin Zohar
NCACIP
Nationally Certified Advanced Clinical Intervention Professional and recovery advocate in long-term recovery, specializing in intervention services and treatment coordination.
Ezra Zohar, M.S.Ed.
Educational Specialist
Educational Specialist with M.S. in Secondary Education, reviewing educational content focused on addiction awareness and recovery.
Brandon McNally
RN
Registered Nurse with specialized training in addiction medicine and behavioral health nursing.
Last Updated
November 2025
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Call Helpline: (914) 594-5851What is Rohypnol?
Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) is a benzodiazepine approximately 10 times more potent than Valium. While used medically in some countries for severe insomnia, it has never been approved for medical use in the United States. Rohypnol is colorless, tasteless, and odorless when dissolved in liquid, making it a drug commonly used to facilitate sexual assault. It causes profound sedation, muscle relaxation, and anterograde amnesia (inability to form new memories). Victims often cannot remember events that occurred while under the influence.
Effects
Extreme sedation, muscle relaxation, slurred speech, impaired coordination, confusion, dizziness, anterograde amnesia (memory blackout), decreased inhibitions, unconsciousness
Risks & Dangers
Being incapacitated and victimized (assault, robbery), complete memory loss of events, respiratory depression especially when combined with alcohol, overdose, coma, death, severe addiction with regular use, dangerous withdrawal seizures
Withdrawal Symptoms
Severe anxiety, insomnia, tremors, seizures (potentially fatal), hallucinations, confusion, muscle pain, sweating. Medical supervision essential for withdrawal.
Addiction Potential
Very High - Like other benzodiazepines, rohypnol is highly addictive with both physical and psychological dependence.
Duration
Effects last 8-12 hours with amnesia often lasting longer
Legal Status
Schedule IV controlled substance in the US. Illegal to manufacture, distribute, or possess. Enhanced penalties for use in crimes.
Alcohol Interaction Warning
Mixing Rohypnol with alcohol can be extremely dangerous and potentially life-threatening. Combining substances increases the risk of:
- • Respiratory depression and overdose
- • Unpredictable effects and loss of consciousness
- • Increased toxicity to liver and other organs
- • Impaired judgment leading to risky behaviors
Learn more about alcohol use disorder and polysubstance use.
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Published: July 15, 2024 • Last Updated: November 25, 2025
Medically reviewed drug information for educational purposes
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