Also known as roofies, roachies, La Rocha, forget-me pill, rohypnol is manufactured as a short-term medication for severe sleep disorders and is not available legally in the United States. It comes in pill form and because the drug is odorless and tasteless, it can be dissolved in someone’s beverage without his/her knowledge.
A benzodiazepine chemically similar to prescription sedatives such as Valium® and Xanax®. Teens and young adults tend to abuse this drug at bars, nightclubs, concerts, and parties. It has been used to commit sexual assaults due to its ability to sedate and incapacitate unsuspecting victims.
| Street Names | Commercial Names | Common Forms | Common Ways Taken | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Circles, Date Rape Drug, Forget Pill, Forget-Me Pill, La Rocha, Lunch Money, Mexican Valium, Mind Eraser, Pingus, R2, Reynolds, Rib, Roach, Roach 2, Roaches, Roachies, Roapies, Rochas Dos, Roofies, Rope, Rophies, Row-Shay, Ruffies, Trip-and-Fall, Wolfies | Flunitrazepam, Rohypnol® | Tablet | Swallowed (as a pill or as dissolved in a drink), snorted | IV** - Rohypnol® is not approved for medical use in the United States; it is available as a prescription sleep aid in other countries |
| Possible Health Effects | |
|---|---|
| Short-term | Drowsiness, sedation, sleep; amnesia, blackout; decreased anxiety; muscle relaxation, impaired reaction time and motor coordination; impaired mental functioning and judgment; confusion; aggression; excitability; slurred speech; headache; slowed breathing and heart rate. |
| Long-term | Unknown. |
| Other Health-related Issues | Unknown. |
| In Combination with Alcohol | Severe sedation, unconsciousness, and slowed heart rate and breathing, which can lead to death. |
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Headache; muscle pain; extreme anxiety, tension, restlessness, confusion, irritability; numbness and tingling of hands or feet; hallucinations, delirium, convulsions, seizures, or shock. |
| Treatment options | |
|---|---|
| Medications | There are no FDA-approved medications to treat addiction to Rohypnol® or other prescription sedatives |
| Behavioral Therapies | More research is needed to find out if behavioral therapies can be used to treat addiction to Rohypnol® or other prescription sedatives. |
How can you tell?
A person will feel the effects within 10-20 minutes. These can include:
- feeling drowsy, sluggish, sedated
- dizziness, confusion
- nauseous and disoriented (almost like feeling very drunk)
- slurred speech
- muscle relaxation, coordination impaired
- person may pass out
- produces amnesia (that’s why it’s known as a date-rape drug because the person has no recollection of the events occurring while under the influence)
The health risks increase when mixed with alcohol, as both are central nervous system depressants. With extended use, a person may become addicted.
What to do?
Prevention advice to give your friend:
- Always keep your beverage in sight.
- At a club or bar, accept drinks only from the bartender or server.
- At social gatherings, don’t accept open-container drinks.
- If your friend experiences sudden and unexplained symptoms, call or go immediately to an emergency room and try to retain a sample of the beverage for testing