Skip to main content
dose.wiki is still in beta. Entries may contain inaccuracies and/or lack citations. See our docs for more info.

Flunitrazepam

Flunitrazepam molecule structureFlunitrazepam molecule structure
Flunitrazepam
Rohypnol, Roofies, Roches, Ruffies, Circles

Flunitrazepam is a potent depressant of the nitro-benzodiazepine class, first synthesized in 1972 by Hoffmann-La Roche. Approximately ten times more potent by weight than diazepam,citation needed it produces pronounced hypnotic, sedative, anxiolytic, and amnesic effects. It is prescribed in some countries for short-term insomnia treatment and as a preoperative sedative. Flunitrazepam is particularly associated with anterograde amnesia and carries significant habit-forming potential.

Dosage & Duration

Dosage

Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.

Threshold~0.2 mg
Light0.2-1 mg
Moderate1-2 mg
Strong2-4 mg
Heavy4+ mg
Bioavailability
64-77%

Duration

Onset15-30 minutes
After Effects2-24 hours
Total4-8 hours
Half-life
18-26 hours

Subjective Effects

Legacy content. A statistically backed ontology from Mindstate Design Labs is coming soon.

The experience is dominated by rapid-onset, heavy sedation paired with pronounced anxiety relief and muscle relaxation, producing a state frequently compared to alcohol intoxication without the subsequent hangover. Anterograde amnesia is a defining feature: at moderate to high doses, users often cannot form memories of events that occur while under the influence, and complete blackouts are a recognized risk. Some individuals experience paradoxical reactions in which the expected calm is replaced by agitation, disinhibition, aggression, or violent behavior.

Physical

The body feels heavy, relaxed, and profoundly sedated, with loosened muscles and impaired coordination, balance, and speech. Dizziness, gastrointestinal disturbances, and slowed breathing at higher doses round out the physical profile.

Sedation

Uncomfortable

DizzinessHeadaches

Cognitive

The headspace is calm, dampened, and slowed, with feelings and perceptions muted as information flow through the central nervous system is reduced. Mild euphoria and a sense of contentment can accompany the sedation, but concentration suffers, confusion is common, and memory formation becomes unreliable well before unconsciousness.

Emotional

The emotional tone is typically calm and mildly euphoric, though paradoxical reactions can invert this entirely.

Suppressions

Reagent Testing

Expected colorimetric results for common reagent tests. Colors show reaction change over 1–2 minutes.

Zimm(ZI)
white → pink1 → purple2
Powered by PROtestkit.eu

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Flunitrazepam acts as a positive allosteric modulator at the GABA-A receptor via the benzodiazepine binding site, enhancing inhibitory GABAergic neurotransmission.citation needed It shows particularly high affinity for the α-5 subunit of the GABA-A receptor, which is associated with its pronounced amnestic properties. Flunitrazepam also acts as an agonist at the translocator protein, and the anticonvulsant properties of benzodiazepines may additionally involve binding to voltage-gated sodium channels.

Pharmacokinetics

Flunitrazepam is lipophilic and undergoes hepatic metabolism via oxidative pathways, with CYP3A4 serving as the principal enzyme in phase 1 metabolism.citation needed Oral absorption is approximately 80%, with bioavailability reported at 64-77%. The elimination half-life is 18-26 hours, and the production of pharmacologically active metabolites further extends the effective duration of action.

Interactions

Dangerous

Highest risk

These 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.

AlcoholGHB/GBLOpioidsTramadol

Unsafe

Avoid

There is considerable risk of physical harm when taking these combinations, they should be avoided where possible.

Caution

Use caution

These 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.

DXMKetamineMXE
Powered by TripSit

Tolerance

Tolerance timelines are rules of thumb, not exact schedules, and vary widely between individuals and use patterns.

Full Tolerance
Tolerance to sedative-hypnotic effects can emerge quickly, often after only a few days of uninterrupted use.
Cross Tolerance

Benzodiazepines

Baseline Reset
Tolerance returns to baseline within 7-14 days after cessation of use. However, following prolonged or intensive use, this recovery period may be significantly extended in proportion to the duration and intensity of prior consumption.

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

High

Flunitrazepam is described as extremely psychologically addictive with very high dependence potential. Compulsive redosing is commonly reported, and rebound anxiety following use can contribute to cycles of repeated use and dependence.

Physical

Extremely High

Physical dependence develops with regular use and can become severe. Sudden discontinuation is potentially life-threatening and may result in benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome characterized by seizures, psychosis, insomnia, anxiety, tremors, sweating, nausea, and hallucinations.citation needed Gradual dose tapering over weeks is essential for safe discontinuation.

Toxicity

Reproductive

Use during late pregnancy, especially at high doses, may result in fetal hypotonia (floppy baby syndrome) due to rapid placental transfer of the drug.citation needed

Psychosis Risk

Paradoxical reactions including anxiety, agitation, confusion, disinhibition, and violent behavior occur rarely during use, with an incidence rate below 1% in the general population. These reactions are more frequent in recreational abusers, individuals with mental disorders, children, and those on high-dose regimes. Psychosis may also emerge as part of benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome following abrupt discontinuation.

Seizure Risk

Flunitrazepam possesses anticonvulsant properties and generally suppresses seizures during use. However, paradoxical seizures may rarely occur, particularly in epileptics. Abrupt discontinuation after regular use poses a serious and potentially life-threatening seizure risk as part of benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome;citation needed drugs that lower seizure threshold should be avoided during withdrawal.

History & Culture

Discovery and Development

Flunitrazepam was discovered at Hoffmann-La Roche as part of the benzodiazepine research program led by Leo Sternbach. The patent application was filed in 1960 and granted in 1962. Research during this period demonstrated that the specific molecular combination of an N-methyl group and 2-fluoro

Legality

International

Flunitrazepam is listed in Schedule III of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971. It is not listed in the schedules to the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs or the 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

By Country

Illegal9
United States flagUnited StatesIllegal
Chile flagChileIllegal
Finland flagFinlandIllegal
India flagIndiaIllegal
Netherlands flagNetherlandsIllegal
New Zealand flagNew ZealandIllegal
Poland flagPolandIllegal
Singapore flagSingaporeIllegal
South Korea flagSouth KoreaIllegal
Controlled / restricted6
Argentina flagArgentinaRestricted
Australia flagAustraliaRestricted
Colombia flagColombiaRestricted
Indonesia flagIndonesiaRestricted
Russia flagRussiaRestricted
Ukraine flagUkraineRestricted
Prescription18
Austria flagAustriaPrescription only
Brazil flagBrazilPrescription only
Canada flagCanadaPrescription only
China flagChinaPrescription only
Czech Republic flagCzech RepublicPrescription only
Denmark flagDenmarkPrescription only
France flagFrancePrescription only
Germany flagGermanyPrescription only
Ireland flagIrelandPrescription only
Japan flagJapanPrescription only
Mexico flagMexicoPrescription only
Norway flagNorwayPrescription only
Philippines flagPhilippinesPrescription only
Spain flagSpainPrescription only
Sweden flagSwedenPrescription only
Switzerland flagSwitzerlandPrescription only
Thailand flagThailandPrescription only
United Kingdom flagUnited KingdomPrescription only
Legal / decriminalized1
Portugal flagPortugalDecriminalized

References

Source Pages

  1. DrugBank
  2. DrugBank Article: Flunitrazepam
  3. DrugBank: Flunitrazepam Biointeractions
  4. Erowid
  5. Erowid: Flunitrazepam Vault
  6. Isomer Design (TiHKAL/PiHKAL)
  7. PsychonautWiki
  8. TripSit Factsheet: Flunitrazepam
  9. TripSit Factsheets
  10. TripSit: Risks of Combining Depressants
  11. Wikipedia

Citations

  1. Hesse LM, He P, Krishnaswamy S, Hao Q, Hogan K, von Moltke LL, Greenblatt DJ, & Court MH. (2001). Flunitrazepam metabolism by cytochrome P450s 2C19 and 3A4. 29(4), 460–467. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11259331/1
  2. RICHARD H. SCHWARTZ, REGINA MILTEER, & MARC A. LeBEAU. (June 2000). Drug-facilitated sexual assault ('date rape'). Southern Medical Journal, 93(6), 558–561. https://doi.org/10.1097/00007611-200093060-000021
  3. ANMAT Disposición 4855/96, Lista III de Psicótropos. argentina.gob.ar (n.d.). https://www.argentina.gob.ar/sites/default/files/psicotropicos_2016.xlsx1
  4. ANMAT Disposición 4855/96, Lista III de Psicótropos. argentina.gob.ar (n.d.). https://www.argentina.gob.ar/anmat/regulados/controlespecial/listados1
  5. Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard—June 2026) Instrument 2026, Schedule 8. legislation.gov.au (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2026L00633/latest/text1
  6. Pharmaceutical services — Schedule 8 medicines. NSW Ministry of Health (n.d.). https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/pharmaceutical/Pages/drugs-of-addiction-sch8.aspx1
  7. Psychotropenverordnung, Anlage 1 Z 1 and § 10 Abs. 3. ris.bka.gv.at (n.d.). https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/GeltendeFassung.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=100110541
  8. Psychotropenverordnung, Anlage 1 Z 1 and § 10 Abs. 3. ris.bka.gv.at (n.d.). https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/Dokumente/Bundesnormen/NOR40267457/NOR40267457.html1
  9. Portaria SVS/MS nº 344, de 12 de maio de 1998, Anexo I, Lista B1. anvisalegis.datalegis.net (n.d.). https://anvisalegis.datalegis.net/action/ActionDatalegis.php?acao=abrirTextoAto&tipo=POR&numeroAto=00000344&seqAto=000&valorAno=1998&orgao=SVS/MS&codTipo=&desItem=&desItemFim=&cod_menu=1696&cod_modulo=134&pesquisa=true1
  10. Portaria SVS/MS nº 344, de 12 de maio de 1998, Anexo I, Lista B1. gov.br (n.d.). https://www.gov.br/anvisa/pt-br/assuntos/medicamentos/controlados/lista-substancias1

Further Reading

  1. Drug-Do: Benzos

Article Status

  • Josie Kins avatar
    Step 1 · Automated synthesis

    An autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins compiled this article's foundation from information published across the web.

  • Lyrea avatar
    Step 2 · First-pass review

    A first pass manual review and edit of article prose and copy has been performed by subject-matter expert Lyrea. This does not guarantee factual accuracy. An additional human review for each of this article's citations is yet to be performed.

  • Step 3 · Citation reviewPending

    No one has reviewed this article's citations yet. That second pass checks each claim against the source it cites.

Recent changes8 human edits · latest

Times are UTCNewest first

20 August 2026

  1. Lyrea · Changed a word in Dosage & DurationRoutes 1 › Dose ranges › Light

  2. Lyrea · Reworded 2 words in PharmacologyPharmacokinetics

24 January 2026

  1. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  2. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  3. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  4. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  5. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  6. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

All changes to this article · Site-wide recent changes

Suggest an edit

Spotted a mistake, an outdated claim, or something missing from the Flunitrazepam article? Send the editors a private note. Feedback lands in a moderation queue and is never shown on the site.

Wish to give generalised feedback? You can do so here.