Flubromazepam
Flubromazepam is a long-lasting benzodiazepine1 that produces anxiolytic, sedative, muscle relaxant, and amnesic effects. Originally synthesized in 1960, it was never marketed and received no further attention until it resurfaced in late 2012 as an online research chemical. It has not been formally studied, meaning its pharmacological profile remains largely speculative, based on its subjective effects and structural similarities to other benzodiazepines.
Contents
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Duration
Subjective Effects
Effects vary widely by individual, dose, and context.
Physical
The physical effects of flubromazepam can be broken down into several components which progressively intensify proportional to dosage.
Cognitive
The cognitive effects of flubromazepam can be broken down into several components which progressively intensify proportional to dosage. The general head space of flubromazepam is described by many as one of intense sedation and decreased inhibition. It contains a large number of typical depressant cognitive effects.
Reagent Testing
Loading reagent data
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
Flubromazepam has not been formally studied in pharmacological research, and its mechanism of action is inferred from its structural similarity to other benzodiazepines. Like other members of its class, it is expected to act as a positive allosteric modulator at the benzodiazepine binding site of GABA-A receptors, enhancing the inhibitory activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the central nervous system.2 The anticonvulsant properties observed with benzodiazepines may also involve binding to voltage-dependent sodium channels.
Pharmacokinetics
Dangerous
Highest riskThese combinations are considered extremely harmful and should always be avoided. Reactions to these drugs taken in combination are highly unpredictable and have a potential to cause death.
Unsafe
AvoidThere is considerable risk of physical harm when taking these combinations, they should be avoided where possible.
Caution
Use cautionThese combinations are not usually physically harmful, but may produce undesirable effects, such as physical discomfort or overstimulation. Extreme use may cause physical health issues. Synergistic effects may be unpredictable. Care should be taken when choosing to use this combination.
Tolerance
Benzodiazepines
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
Extremely HighFlubromazepam is described as extremely psychologically addictive.3 Compulsive redosing is common, driven by rapid anxiety relief followed by quick offset. Memory suppression can lead to users forgetting prior doses, potentially resulting in dangerous amnesic blackout states.4
Physical
Extremely HighFlubromazepam is extremely physically addictive with severe withdrawal risk. Abrupt discontinuation after regular use can be life-threatening, potentially causing seizures or death.5 Safe cessation requires gradual tapering over weeks.
Psychosis Risk
Paradoxical reactions including aggression, violent behavior, and loss of impulse control occur rarely (below 1% in the general population),6 with greater frequency among recreational abusers, individuals with mental disorders, children, and those on high-dose regimens.
Seizure Risk
Flubromazepam has anticonvulsant properties during active use. Paradoxical increased seizures are rarely reported in epileptic individuals. Abrupt discontinuation after regular use poses significant seizure risk, as benzodiazepine withdrawal seizures can be life-threatening.5
History & Culture
Flubromazepam is a benzodiazepine derivative first synthesized in 1960.71 Despite being developed during a period of active benzodiazepine research that produced many compounds which would eventually reach clinical use, flubromazepam was…
Legality
By Country
References
Source Pages
Citations
- Moosmann B, Huppertz LM, Hutter M, Buchwald A, Ferlaino S, & Auwärter V. (2013). Detection and identification of the designer benzodiazepine flubromazepam and preliminary data on its metabolism and pharmacokinetics. Journal of Mass Spectrometry, 48(11), 1150-1159. https://doi.org/10.1002/jms.32791234
- Bonano JS, & Banks ML. (2022). Novel Designer Benzodiazepines: Comprehensive Review of Evolving Clinical and Adverse Effects. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9397074/12
- Edinoff AN, Nix CA, Hollier J, Sagrera CE, Delacroix BM, Abubakar T, Cornett EM, Kaye AM, & Kaye AD. (2021). Benzodiazepines: Uses, Dangers, and Clinical Considerations. Neurology International. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8629021/1
- (n.d.). Memory impairment — Benzodiazepines: risks, dependence, withdrawal and abuse (MHRA CPD module). Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). https://cpd.mhra.gov.uk/benzodiazepines/CON234573_91
- Fluyau D, Revadigar N, & Manobianco BE. (2018). Challenges of the pharmacological management of benzodiazepine withdrawal, dependence, and discontinuation. Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1177/204512531775334012
- Mancuso CE, Tanzi MG, & Gabay M. (2004). Paradoxical aggressive reactions to benzodiazepine use: a review. Pharmacotherapy. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18922233/1
- (n.d.). Amino substituted benzophenone oximes and derivatives thereof. https://patents.google.com/patent/US3136815A/en1
- (2023-10). Critical review report: Flubromazepam. World Health Organization Expert Committee on Drug Dependence. https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/46th-ecdd/flubromazepam_46th-ecdd-critical-review_public-version.pdf12
- (1996). Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Schedule IV, Item 18 — Benzodiazepines. Government of Canada, Department of Justice. https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-38.8/page-12.html1
- (2019). Anlage II BtMG. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/btmg_1981/anlage_ii.html1
- (2017). Russian Federation Government Decree No. 681 (List III) — Fluorobromazepam, introduced by Decree No. 827 of 12 July 2017. Astrakhan State Medical University (official Russian controlled substances list republication). https://astgmu.ru/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/111.pdf1
- (2017). April 2017 — Several countries place benzodiazepine derivatives under national control. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Laboratory and Scientific Service. https://www.unodc.org/LSS/Announcement/Details/065118d5-b238-48d8-9d7f-b95fb5d114111
- (2017). Turkish Council of Ministers Decision No. 2016/9712 — Control of Certain Substances under Law No. 2313. T.C. Resmî Gazete (Turkish Official Gazette), 12 January 2017. https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2017/01/20170112-8.pdf1
- (2017). The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2017 (SI 2017/634), Article 5(h). UK legislation.gov.uk. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2017/634/made/data.htm1
- (n.d.). Code of Virginia § 54.1-3446 — Schedule I (depressant substances, Section 4). Virginia Legislative Information System. https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title54.1/chapter34/section54.1-3446/1
Further Reading
Automated synthesisInformation aggregated and synthesized using an autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins.
Suggest an edit
Spotted a mistake, an outdated claim, or something missing from the Flubromazepam article? Send the editors a private note. Feedback lands in a moderation queue and is never shown on the site.