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Nifoxipam

Nifoxipam molecule structureNifoxipam molecule structure
3-Hydroxydesmethylflunitrazepam
DP 370, 3-OH-Norflunitrazepam
Chemical Class
Benzodiazepine

Nifoxipam is a synthetic depressant of the nitrobenzodiazepine class and an active metabolite of flunitrazepam.citation needed It has potential applications in the short-term management of anxiety, insomnia, and acute seizures, but is currently available exclusively through research chemical vendors as a novel psychoactive substance. As with other benzodiazepines, it carries a risk of dependence1 and habit formation with repeated use.

Dosage & Duration

Dosage

Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.

Threshold~0.1 mg
Light0.1-0.5 mg
Moderate0.5-1 mg
Strong1-2 mg
Heavy2+ mg

Duration

Onset10-75 minutes
After Effects1-24 hours
Total10-18 hours

Subjective Effects

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

Effects vary widely by individual, dose, and context.

Physical

The physical effects of nifoxipam can be broken down into several components which progressively intensify proportional to dosage.

Muscle relaxationDizzinessRespiratory depression

Cognitive

The general head space of nifoxipam is described by many as one of intense sedation and decreased inhibition. It contains a large number of typical depressant cognitive effects.

Anxiety suppressionThought decelerationDisinhibitionInformation processing suppressionEuphoriaAmnesiaCompulsive redosing
Forked from Subjective Effect Documentation byJosie Kins September 2015.

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Nifoxipam acts as a positive allosteric modulator at the GABA-A receptor via the benzodiazepine binding site, enhancing the inhibitory effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).citation needed It belongs to the nitrobenzodiazepine subclass alongside nitrazepam, nimetazepam, flunitrazepam, and flurazepam. Its anticonvulsant properties may be due, in part or entirely, to binding at voltage-dependent sodium channels rather than the benzodiazepine site.

Pharmacokinetics

Nifoxipam (3-hydroxydesmethylflunitrazepam) is itself an active metabolite of flunitrazepam.2 Investigations performed on human urine samples submitted for routine toxicological analysis showed the metabolites 7-amino-nifoxipam, 7-acetamino-nifoxipam and nifoxipam glucuronide. The parent glucuronide was more abundant than the amino metabolite.citation needed

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.

DissociativesStimulants
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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 generally returns to baseline within 7-14 days after cessation of use. However, following prolonged or intensive use patterns, this recovery period may extend significantly longer in proportion to the duration and intensity of prior consumption.

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

High

Described as extremely psychologically addictive with significant abuse potential.2 Compulsive redosing is a noted effect, and regular use leads to habituation.citation needed Rebound anxiety following cessation can drive cycles of continued use and dependence.

Physical

Extremely High

Physical dependence develops with regular use over weeks, and withdrawal can be life-threatening.citation needed Abrupt discontinuation following extended use may result in hypertension, seizures, and potentially death. Gradual tapering over weeks is essential for safe discontinuation.

Toxicity

Respiratory System

Respiratory depression occurs at high doses and can be life-threatening in overdose or when combined with other CNS depressants; this effect is dose-dependent and uncommon at typical doses when used alone.citation needed

Central Nervous System

Severe overdose may result in coma and permanent brain injury, primarily as a consequence of prolonged respiratory depression; this is mainly a concern in polydrug combinations or extreme dosing.citation needed

Psychosis Risk

Paradoxical psychiatric reactions including aggression, violent behavior, irritability, loss of impulse control, and suicidal behavior occur rarely, with an incidence below 1% in the general population.citation needed Risk increases in recreational abusers, individuals with mental disorders, children, and those on high-dose regimens. Delusions may manifest during overdose.

Seizure Risk

Nifoxipam possesses anticonvulsant properties and does not induce seizures during typical use. Paradoxical seizure increase in epileptic individuals is rare. However, abrupt discontinuation after regular extended use carries significant seizure risk and may be fatal;citation needed gradual dose tapering is essential.

History & Culture

Nifoxipam is a nitrobenzodiazepine that was originally identified as a minor metabolite of flunitrazepam (marketed as Rohypnol).citation needed While it exists primarily as an analytical reference material in pharmacological research, the compound has since emerged on the online designer drug…

Legality

By Country

Illegal1
Russia flagRussiaIllegal
Controlled / restricted3
Canada flagCanadaSchedule IV CDSA
Germany flagGermanyNpSG (Controlled)
Switzerland flagSwitzerlandRestricted
Not scheduled1
United Kingdom flagUnited KingdomPsychoactive Substances Act 2016

References

Source Pages

  1. Bluelight: Nifoxipam user experience thread
  2. Isomer Design (TiHKAL/PiHKAL)
  3. PsychonautWiki
  4. TripSit Factsheets
  5. TripSit: Drug combination chart
  6. TripSit: Nifoxipam factsheet
  7. Wikipedia

Citations

  1. Orsolini L, Corkery JM, Chiappini S, Guirguis A, Vento A, De Berardis D, Papanti D, & Schifano F. (2020). ‘New/Designer Benzodiazepines’: An Analysis of the Literature and Psychonauts’ Trip Reports. Current Neuropharmacology, 18(9), 809–837. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159x186662001101213331
  2. Katselou M, Papoutsis I, Nikolaou P, Spiliopoulou C, & Athanaselis S. (2017). Metabolites replace the parent drug in the drug arena. The cases of fonazepam and nifoxipam. Forensic Toxicology, 35(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11419-016-0338-5123
  3. Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Schedule IV — Benzodiazepines. Government of Canada / Justice Laws Website (n.d.). https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-38.8/page-12.html1
  4. § 4 NpSG. (2019). https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/npsg/__4.html1
  5. NIH PubChem CID 3058221 property record. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (n.d.). https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/rest/pug/compound/name/nifoxipam/property/IUPACName,CanonicalSMILES,IsomericSMILES,MolecularFormula,MolecularWeight/JSON1
  6. Government Resolution No. 827 amendment text. consultant.ru (n.d.). https://www.consultant.ru/document/cons_doc_LAW_220067/4347f565328bac46bfd843bc52fef25ac88cd925/1
  7. Official publication portal record for Government Resolution No. 827. publication.pravo.gov.ru (n.d.). http://publication.pravo.gov.ru/Document/View/00012017071700371
  8. Current consolidated Government Resolution No. 681 record. consultant.ru (n.d.). https://www.consultant.ru/document/cons_doc_LAW_19243/1
  9. Current List III schedule page for Resolution No. 681. consultant.ru (n.d.). https://www.consultant.ru/document/cons_doc_LAW_19243/6d858f6d1a09747d32f35b485035b43f5c153b87/1
  10. Current consolidated Resolution No. 681 full text, Kontur.Normativ. normativ.kontur.ru (n.d.). https://normativ.kontur.ru/document?documentId=503195&moduleId=11

Further Reading

  1. BenchChem - Nifoxipam pharmacokinetic summary
  2. Drugs-Forum: Nifoxipam and Flubromazolam discussion
  3. Headwaters Recovery - Nifoxipam harm reduction overview
  4. Novel Designer Benzodiazepines - Comprehensive review
  5. Urine LC-HRMS panel for designer benzodiazepines

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.

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20 August 2026

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