Flunitrazepam dependence

Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol), also known as roofies, is a benzodiazepine with physiological effects similar to diazepam (Valium), although it is about 10 times more potent. The drug produces sedative-hypnotic effects that include muscle relaxation and amnesia it can also produce physical and psychological dependence. It is illegal and not approved for use in the United States. 

Finally, very rapid onset benzodiazepines have been widely reported as a means of "date rape," by using a small tasteless dose of the drug to make the victim incapable of protecting herself (or himself). This produces intoxication but not dependence. The drug most commonly used in this situation has been flunitrazepam (Rohypnol, "roofies," not available in the USA) and more recently GHB. The amnesia-producing effects of the benzodiazepines (see Chapter 22 Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs) make the victim unable to describe the events after she or he has recovered. 

HYPNOTICS are agents that induce sleep. They are used mainly to treat short-term insomnia, for instance in shiftwork, to cope with Jet-lag or in sleep disturbances due to emotional problems or in serious illness. The best-known and most-used hypnotics in current use are the benzodiazepines - and this class of drug is also used, at a lower dose, as ANXIOLYTICS. Examples from the class that are of relatively long-lasting action and may cause drowsiness the next day include diazepam, flunitrazepam, flurazepam and nitrazepam. Examples with a shorter duration include loprazolam, lormetazepam and temazepam. All can cause drug dependence on continued usage. Examples of hypnotics that are now much less used include chloral hydrate, chlormethiazole and triclofos. The barbiturates (e.g. amylobarbitone) are now very little used, as they are prone to cause serious dependence and are dangerous in overdose. 

As well as the opioids cocaine and cannabis, polytoxicomane drug abusers also consume bromazepam, diazepam and flunitrazepam in high doses, and fatalities among drug abusers and substitution patients can often be blamed on the consumption of these substances, often in combination with alcohol [48]. Patients who suffer low-dose dependence, in addition to consuming the three above-named substances, also consume therapeutic amounts of dipotassium clorazepate, flurazepam, lorezepam, nitrazepam or oxazepam, sometimes also in combination with amphetamines or antihistamines. 

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