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Rohypnol
What is Rohypnol?
Rohypnol, the trade name for flunitrazepam, is a strong sedative. It is a
member of the benzodiazepine family whcih includes drugs such as Librium,
Xanax, and Valium, all known for their side effects. Rohypnol has never been
approved for use in the United States. Street names for Rohypnol include:
Roofies, Rophies, Roche, Roachies, LaRocha, Rope, Rib Roche, Mexican Valium,
R-2, Roach-2, and the forget-me pill. 
Rohypnol tablets are white and contain the name "Roche" and an encircled "1" or "2" on one side (indicating 1 mg. or 2 mg. tablet). A single or cross score appears on the other side. The tablets are often sold in their original bubble wrap packaging. The 2 mg. tablets are being taken off the market and replaced with a 1 mg. tablet which will be blue in color. The color change will affect how a drink will look when Rohypnol is added. In tablet form, Rohypnol can easily be crushed and dissolved in liquid. it is tasteless and odorless, and so can be slipped into people's drinks without their knowledge.
What are the side effects
of Rohypnol?
Generally, sedative effects are felt within 20 to 30 minutes. Strongest effects
occur within 1 to 2 hours, with overall sedative effects lasting 6 to 8 hours
following a 2 mg. dose. When mixed with alcohol, narcotics, or other central
nervous system depressants, abuse can be lethal. An individual who has taken
Rohypnol may appear drunk. Other effects include drowsiness, impaired motor
skills, impaired judgement, dizziness, deep sedation, respiratory distress,
blackouts that can last up to 24 hours, and amnesia where users forget events
experienced while under the influence. In some cases, the drug has paradoxical
effects and causes users to become aggressive.
How long does Rohypnol
stay in the user's body?
Rohypnol can be detected in the blood several hours after ingestion, and a
metabolite of flunitrazepam called 7-aminoflunitrazepam can be detected in
the urine for upwards of 48 to 72 hours after taking the drug.
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