Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Rohypnol?Use and AbuseRoofie Symptoms
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Rohypnol?
Use and Abuse
Roofie Symptoms
Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) is an illicit drug that causes sedation deep enough to render a person completely incapacitated. It is known as “the date rape drug” because it has been used to facilitate sexual assault. “Roofie” symptoms include nausea and dizziness at first, before the full effects of loss of consciousness and memory that can last for hours.
Roofies can be abused as recreational or “club” drugs, much likeketamine, ecstasy (MDMA), or gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB). They are classified as a Schedule IV drug in the United States.
This article explains roofie symptoms and effects, and discusses how it can be used or abused. It will help you to recognize when someone may need help, including medical care, because of taking roofies.
Besides the date rape drug, Rohypnol also is known as circles, forget pill, forget-me-pill, la rocha, lunch money drug, Mexican valium, pingus, r2, Reynolds, roach, roach 2, roaches, roachies, roapies, robutal, rochas dos, roofies, rophies, ropies, roples, row-shay, ruffies, and wolfies.
This is a photo of Rohypnol pills. The present form of the drug is imprinted with 542 and supplied as a 1-milligram dose in an olive green, oblong tablet which contains a dye that is supposed to be visible if the drug is added to a drink.US DEA
Use and Abuse of Rohypnol
Outside of the United States, due to its quick-acting effects, Rohypnol is sometimes prescribed as a short-term treatment forinsomnia.It may be given to help relax someone prior to receiving anesthesia.
People addicted to certain other drugs, such as cocaine, ecstasy, or amphetamines, sometimes turn to Rohypnol to relieve symptoms of withdrawal such as irritability and agitation.
However, Rohypnol is most notorious as a date rape drug. It has no flavor and dissolves easily in liquids. It can be slipped into a victim’s drink without their knowledge, quickly leaving them incapacitated and vulnerable to sexual assault or robbery.
Roofies and Blue Dye ColorWhen dissolved in a light-colored beverage, Rohypnol will dye the drink blue so that it’s more visible. It’s not possible, however, to see it in dark beverages like bourbon or cola, and some versions don’t include the dye. The Office on Women’s Health recommends watching drinks closely, opening containers yourself, and getting help right away if you start to feel odd effects.
Roofies and Blue Dye Color
When dissolved in a light-colored beverage, Rohypnol will dye the drink blue so that it’s more visible. It’s not possible, however, to see it in dark beverages like bourbon or cola, and some versions don’t include the dye. The Office on Women’s Health recommends watching drinks closely, opening containers yourself, and getting help right away if you start to feel odd effects.
Rohypnol symptoms occur within about 30 minutes after taking the drug.A person will begin to experience its initial effects, including nausea, feeling too hot and too cold at the same time, dizziness, confusion, and disorientation. People also experience:
Blood pressure will dropand people will become drowsy and eventually black out (lose consciousness.) Side effects of Rohypnol typically peak within two hours but can persist for up to 12 hours.
Most people who take the drug have no memory of what happened while under its influence.
Although it’s unlikely you’ll remember what occurred while under the influence if someone spikes your drink with Rohypnol, there are clues to be aware of. Besides amnesia, side effects include:HeadachesConfusionDizzinessNightmaresTremorsYou may wake up feeling unusually intoxicated with no memory of having drunk much (or any) alcohol, or find yourself in a location without knowing how you got there.
Although it’s unlikely you’ll remember what occurred while under the influence if someone spikes your drink with Rohypnol, there are clues to be aware of. Besides amnesia, side effects include:
You may wake up feeling unusually intoxicated with no memory of having drunk much (or any) alcohol, or find yourself in a location without knowing how you got there.
Addiction
People who become addicted to Rohypnol will experience these withdrawal symptoms when they attempt to stop taking the drug. Some symptoms can prove fatal, so it’s advisable to quit taking the drug under a doctor’s supervision.
When to Call 911Rohypnol, taken alone or in combination with alcohol or other drugs like heroin, can lead to an overdose or even death. Call 911 for emergency medical help for anyone who experiences the following after using Rohypnol and/or another substance:Severe sedationUnconsciousnessSlow heart rateSlowed or troubled breathing
When to Call 911
Rohypnol, taken alone or in combination with alcohol or other drugs like heroin, can lead to an overdose or even death. Call 911 for emergency medical help for anyone who experiences the following after using Rohypnol and/or another substance:Severe sedationUnconsciousnessSlow heart rateSlowed or troubled breathing
Rohypnol, taken alone or in combination with alcohol or other drugs like heroin, can lead to an overdose or even death. Call 911 for emergency medical help for anyone who experiences the following after using Rohypnol and/or another substance:
What Happens to Your Body During Drug Withdrawal?
Summary
Rohypnol is surprisingly easy to obtain and inexpensive to purchase. It’s often used as an illicit club drug, but “roofies” are known as the “date rape” drug because people (not knowing it’s been slipped into a drink) can become incapacitated and not remember what happened.
Roofie symptoms begin within a few minutes of taking the drug, and include mental confusion, muscle relaxation, and slurred speech. Full effects typically leave someone unconscious and can last up to 12 hours. Most people recover, but severe symptoms may require medical attention.
Parents and caregivers of teens and young adults should be aware of the signs of drug use, while everyone should consider preventive steps like never leaving your drink unattended.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Drug Enforcement Administration.Rohypnol.Lehne RA.Pharmacology For Nursing Care (8th Edition).Elsevier Saunders. 2018.Drug Enforcement Administration.Drug Fact Sheet: Rohypnol.Williams JF, Lundahl LH.Focus on Adolescent Use of Club Drugs and “Other” Substances.Pediatr Clin North Am. 2019 Dec;66(6):1121-1134. doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2019.08.013.Shoup K.Rohypnol.Cavendish Square Publishing. 2015.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Office on Women’s Health.Date Rape Drugs.Department of Justice.Drug-facilitated Sexual Assault: Rohypnol, the New Rave in Rape.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Commonly Used Drug Charts.Department of Justice.Rohypnol Fact Sheet.National Center for Biotechnology Information.Rohypnol Withdrawal.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Drug Enforcement Administration.Rohypnol.Lehne RA.Pharmacology For Nursing Care (8th Edition).Elsevier Saunders. 2018.Drug Enforcement Administration.Drug Fact Sheet: Rohypnol.Williams JF, Lundahl LH.Focus on Adolescent Use of Club Drugs and “Other” Substances.Pediatr Clin North Am. 2019 Dec;66(6):1121-1134. doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2019.08.013.Shoup K.Rohypnol.Cavendish Square Publishing. 2015.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Office on Women’s Health.Date Rape Drugs.Department of Justice.Drug-facilitated Sexual Assault: Rohypnol, the New Rave in Rape.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Commonly Used Drug Charts.Department of Justice.Rohypnol Fact Sheet.National Center for Biotechnology Information.Rohypnol Withdrawal.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Drug Enforcement Administration.Rohypnol.Lehne RA.Pharmacology For Nursing Care (8th Edition).Elsevier Saunders. 2018.Drug Enforcement Administration.Drug Fact Sheet: Rohypnol.Williams JF, Lundahl LH.Focus on Adolescent Use of Club Drugs and “Other” Substances.Pediatr Clin North Am. 2019 Dec;66(6):1121-1134. doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2019.08.013.Shoup K.Rohypnol.Cavendish Square Publishing. 2015.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Office on Women’s Health.Date Rape Drugs.Department of Justice.Drug-facilitated Sexual Assault: Rohypnol, the New Rave in Rape.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Commonly Used Drug Charts.Department of Justice.Rohypnol Fact Sheet.National Center for Biotechnology Information.Rohypnol Withdrawal.
Drug Enforcement Administration.Rohypnol.
Lehne RA.Pharmacology For Nursing Care (8th Edition).Elsevier Saunders. 2018.
Drug Enforcement Administration.Drug Fact Sheet: Rohypnol.
Williams JF, Lundahl LH.Focus on Adolescent Use of Club Drugs and “Other” Substances.Pediatr Clin North Am. 2019 Dec;66(6):1121-1134. doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2019.08.013.
Shoup K.Rohypnol.Cavendish Square Publishing. 2015.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Office on Women’s Health.Date Rape Drugs.
Department of Justice.Drug-facilitated Sexual Assault: Rohypnol, the New Rave in Rape.
National Institute on Drug Abuse.Commonly Used Drug Charts.
Department of Justice.Rohypnol Fact Sheet.
National Center for Biotechnology Information.Rohypnol Withdrawal.
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