What is Rohypnol?
'''Rohypnol''' is the common name for a drug of the [[Benzodiazepine]] class called '''flunitrazepam'''. A slang term for it is '''roofies'''. The drug is sold illegally, and it has many medical uses. It is a strong [[hypnotic]] (a drug that causes sleep); a [[sedative]] (causing relaxation and [[Somnolence|sleepiness]]); an anticonvulsant (fighting [[seizure]]s); an [[anxiolytic]] (relieving [[anxiety]]); [[amnesia|amnestic]] (causing forgetfulness); and [[Skeletal muscle relaxant|skeletal]] [[muscle relaxant]]. <ref>{{cite journal |author=Mandrioli R, Mercolini L, Raggi MA |title=Benzodiazepine metabolism: an analytical perspective |journal=Current Drug Metabolism |volume=9 |issue=8 |pages=827–44 |year=2008 |pmid=18855614 |doi=10.2174/138920008786049258 |url=http://www.benthamdirect.org/pages/content.php?CDM/2008/00000009/00000008/0009F.SGM |access-date=2020-12-30 |archive-date=2009-03-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090317092123/http://www.benthamdirect.org/pages/content.php?CDM%2F2008%2F00000009%2F00000008%2F0009F.SGM |url-status=dead }}</ref> Most often, it is used as a treatment for [[sleep disorder]]s like [[insomnia]]. It is thought to be one of the most effective hypnotic medications. Like other hypnotics, flunitrazepam should be used only on a short-term basis or in those with serious insomnia on an occasional basis.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Rickels | first = K. | year = 1986 | title = The clinical use of hypnotics: indications for use and the need for a variety of hypnotics | journal = Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica Suppl. | volume = 74 | issue = S332 | pages = 132–41 | pmid = 2883820 | doi = 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1986.tb08990.x | s2cid = 46560074 }}</ref> Flunitrazepam is often called a [[Date Rape|date rape]] drug because it is very powerful, has strong effects, and can cause strong [[amnesia]] (causing a person to forget what happened after taking the drug). ==History== [[Benzodiazepine]]s were created in 1957 by Roche, a healthcare and [[pharmaceuticals|pharmaceutical]] company.