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Flunitrazepam

Last updated on November 21st, 2021

Drug Approvals

(British Approved Name, US Adopted Name, rINN)

INNs in other languages (French, Latin, Spanish):

Synonyms: Flunitratsepaami; Flunitrazepám; Flunitrazepam; Flunitrazepamas; Flunitrazepamum; Ro-5-4200
BAN: Flunitrazepam
USAN: Flunitrazepam
INN: Flunitrazepam [rINN (en)]
INN: Flunitrazepam [rINN (es)]
INN: Flunitrazépam [rINN (fr)]
INN: Flunitrazepamum [rINN (la)]
INN: Флунитразепам [rINN (ru)]
Chemical name: 5-(2-Fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-7-nitro-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one
Molecular formula: C16H12FN3O3 =313.3
CAS: 1622-62-4
ATC code: N05CD03
Read code: y01x0

Note. The following terms have been used as ‘street names’ or slang names for various forms of flunitrazepam: Circles; Forget me drug; Forget pill; Forget-me pill; Getting roached; La Rocha; Lunch money drug; Mexican valium; Pingus; R2; R-2; Reynolds; Rib; Roach-2; Roaches; Roachies; Roapies; Robutal; Rochas dos; Roche; Roches; Rolpes; Roofies; Rope; Rophies; Rophy; Ropies; Roples; Ropples; Row-shay; Ruffies; Ruffles; Sedexes; Wolfies.

Pharmacopoeias. In Europe and Japan.

European Pharmacopoeia, 6th ed. (Flunitrazepam). A white or yellowish crystalline powder. Practically insoluble in water slightly soluble in alcohol soluble in acetone. Protect from light.

Dependence and Withdrawal

As for Diazepam.

Adverse Effects, Treatment, and Precautions

As for Diazepam.

Abuse.

A WHO review concluded that flunitrazepam had a moderate abuse potential that might be higher than that of other benzodiazepines. It was reported that there was current evidence of widespread abuse of flunitrazepam among drug abusers, particularly among those who used opioids or cocaine. Flunitrazepam is tasteless and odourless and has been misused to incapacitate the victim and produce amnesia in sexual assaults and drug-facilitated rape (‘date rape’). A 1-mg dose may produce impairment for 8 to 12 hours. Some manufacturers have incorporated a blue dye into flunitrazepam tablets to increase visibility when placed into drinks but caution is still necessary as it has been reported that blue tropical drinks and punches are being used to overcome this.

Breast feeding.

Concentrations in breast milk the morning after a single evening 2-mg dose of flunitrazepam were considered to be too low to produce clinical effects in breast-fed infants, although accumulation in the milk might occur after repeated use.

Local reactions.

Of 43 patients given a single intravenous dose of flunitrazepam 1 to 2 mg, two had local thrombosis 7 to 10 days later. The incidence was lower than in those given diazepam [in solution]. However, there was little difference in the incidence of local reactions after intravenous use of flunitrazepam and diazepam in another study.

Porphyria.

Flunitrazepam has been associated with acute attacks of porphyria and is considered unsafe in porphyric patients.

flunitrazepam-2mg-tablets

Interactions

As for Diazepam.

Pharmacokinetics

Flunitrazepam is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. About 77 to 80% is bound to plasma proteins. It is extensively metabolised in the liver and excreted mainly in the urine as metabolites (free or conjugated). Its principal metabolites are 7-aminoflunitrazepam and N-desmethylflunitrazepam N-desmethylflunitrazepam is reported to be pharmacologically active. The elimination half-life of flunitrazepam is reported to be between 16 and 35 hours. Fluni-trazepam crosses the placental barrier and is distributed into breast milk.

Pregnancy.

Concentrations of flunitrazepam in umbilicalvein and umbilicalartery plasma were lower than those in maternal venous plasma about 11 to 15 hours after a dose of flunitrazepam 1 mg in 14 pregnant women concentrations in amniotic fluid were lower still.

Uses and Administration

Flunitrazepam is a short-acting benzodiazepine with general properties similar to those of diazepam. It is used in the short-term management of insomnia, as a premedicant in surgical procedures, and for induction of anaesthesia.

A usual oral dose for insomnia is 0.5 to 1 mg at night up to 2 mg may be given if necessary. In elderly or debilitated patients the initial dose should not exceed 0.5 mg at night, up to 1 mg may be given if necessary.

A dose of 1 to 2 mg (15 to 30 micrograms/kg) has been given intramuscularly or orally for premedication or by slow intravenous injection for induction of general anaesthesia.

Proprietary Preparations

Argentina: Nervocuril Parsimonil Primum Rohypnol

Australia: Hypnodorm

Austria: Guttanotte Rohypnol Somnubene

Belgium: Rohypnol

Brazil: Rohydorm Rohypnol

Chile: Ipnopen Rohypnol

Czech Republic: Rohypnol

Denmark: Flunipam Rohypnol Ronal

France: Narcozep Rohypnol

Germany: Flunif Flunibeta Flunimerck Fluninoc Rohypnol

Greece: Hipnosedon llman Neo Nifalium Nilium Vulbegal

Hong Kong: Absintf Flunita Rohypnol

Ireland: Rohypnol

Israel: Hypnodorm

Italy: Darkene Roipnol Valsera

Mexico: Rohypnol

The Netherlands: Rohypnol

Norway: Flunipam Rohypnol

Poland: Rohypnol

Portugal: Rohypnol Sedex

South Africa: Hypnor Insom Rohypnol

Spain: Rohipnol

Sweden: Fluscand Rohypnol

Switzerland: Rohypnol

Thailand: Rohypnol

United Kingdom: Rohypnol

 
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