Rohypnol is sold in some countries as a sleeping pill, but is illegal in the United States. Because it can cause extreme drowsiness (or "blackouts"), it is often used in date rapes.
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This drug is swallowed, sometimes with alcohol or other drugs. Sometimes it's crushed and snorted, dissolved and injected, or sprinkled on marijuana and smoked.
Rohypnol has received a lot of attention because of its association with date rape. Many teen girls and women report having been raped after having rohypnol slipped into their drinks. The drug also causes "anterograde amnesia." This means it's hard to remember what happened while on the drug. Because of this, it can be hard to give important details if a young woman wants to report the rape.
Rohypnol can cause a drop in blood pressure, as well as cause memory loss, drowsiness, dizziness, and an upset stomach. Though it's part of the depressant family of drugs, it causes some people to be overly excited or aggressive.
Users can become physically addicted to rohypnol, so it can cause extreme withdrawal symptoms when users stop.
Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2018
