“Roche” pills is the popular name for the medicine Rohypnol, whose active substance is flunitrazepam, one of the most powerful benzodiazepines. It was prescribed in some countries for severe insomnia, but it became known worldwide for two frightening reasons: it wipes memory for hours, and it has been used to spike drinks to facilitate sexual assault. That is why it has become banned or tightly restricted in many countries. In this article we explain what Rohypnol is, why its name became linked to assaults, how to protect yourself and those you love, why mixing it with alcohol becomes life-threatening, and how dependence on it is treated.
What is Rohypnol?
Flunitrazepam is a substance from the benzodiazepine family which, like its relatives, works by strengthening the inhibitory messenger GABA in the brain, but it is much stronger than them when compared at the same amount. Its popular name “roche” comes from the name of the company that first launched the medicine Rohypnol, and in colloquial English it is known by names such as “roofies”.
Its effect begins a short time after swallowing and lasts for hours, including deep drowsiness, muscle relaxation, slowed movement and speech, and with larger amounts loss of consciousness.
Legal status: banned or restricted in many countries
Flunitrazepam was never approved for medical use in the United States, and many countries place it on strict control schedules, while others have withdrawn it from the market or limited its dispensing very narrowly. The situation differs from country to country and changes over time, but the general rule is that possessing it without a medical prescription from a licensed source is illegal in most countries, including Egypt, where benzodiazepines in general are tightly controlled. What is sold on the street as “roche” may not be flunitrazepam at all, but a substance of unknown origin and composition.
Why has its name become linked to sexual assault?
Flunitrazepam combined qualities that made it a preferred tool for anyone wanting to drug someone without their knowledge: the small size of the tablet, how quickly it dissolves, the fact that in its old form it didn’t change the taste or color of a drink, the strength of its effect even in small amounts, and most importantly that it wipes the victim’s memory of what happened. After these crimes spread, the manufacturer changed the formula of the original tablet so that it dyes a drink bluish when it dissolves, but non-original versions may not have this feature.
And the truth that must be said clearly: alcohol itself is the substance most used in drug-facilitated assaults, and many other substances are used in the same way, including GHB. So protection isn’t about Rohypnol alone.
How do you protect yourself and those with you?
These are preventive tips for any social setting, whether a party, a café or a meeting with people you don’t know well:
- Don’t accept an open drink from someone you don’t trust; go and order it yourself and watch it being prepared.
- Don’t leave your cup unwatched, and if you have been away from it, ask for a new one.
- Avoid shared drinks in large containers when you don’t know what has been put in them.
- If you notice a strange taste, color or smell, don’t finish the drink.
- Agree with a friend you trust that you will watch out for each other, and that neither of you will leave with a stranger.
- If you suddenly feel dizziness, drowsiness or heaviness out of proportion to what you have drunk, ask for help immediately from someone you trust or from the staff, and call an ambulance.
- If you see a friend who seems more drunk than usual or is behaving strangely, don’t leave them alone, and help them get somewhere safe.
If you suspect you have been drugged
Go to the nearest hospital as soon as possible and ask for blood and urine tests, because some of these substances disappear from the body within hours to a few days. And if there is a possibility of assault, it is better not to shower or change clothes before the medical examination if possible, because this preserves evidence. Remember that what happened isn’t your fault in any way, and that medical and psychological support is available. You will find how drug tests work in our article on how long benzodiazepines stay in your system.
Memory loss: why doesn’t the person remember what happened?
Powerful benzodiazepines cause what is called anterograde amnesia, meaning the brain stops recording new events for the whole period of the effect. The person may seem awake, talking and walking, but when they come round they remember nothing of those hours, or remember broken flashes. This leaves the victim confused and doubtful, and may stop them asking for help because they don’t have a clear picture of what happened.
And it isn’t limited to spiking victims: someone who uses Rohypnol themselves may do dangerous things, such as driving, fighting or spending, and not remember them the next day.
The danger of Rohypnol with alcohol
Alcohol and flunitrazepam both depress the nervous system, and when they come together the effect multiplies in an unpredictable way. Breathing may slow to the point of stopping, blood pressure falls, the person loses consciousness, and they may choke on vomit while asleep. The danger increases with the addition of opioids such as tramadol, pregabalin or other sleeping pills. And Rohypnol’s long effect means the danger can continue for hours after the last drink. Anyone who wants to understand the effect of alcohol alone will find the details in our article on the harmful effects of alcohol.
Call an ambulance immediately on 123 if you see
When you suspect Rohypnol has been taken or slipped into a drink, especially with alcohol or other substances. Lay the person on their side and don't leave them alone.
- Loss of consciousness, or deep sleep they can’t be woken from by calling or shaking
- Very slow or irregular breathing, or unusual snoring
- Blue lips or nails
- Vomiting while unconscious
- Sudden severe confusion after a drink
Dependence on Rohypnol
Apart from spiking, there are people who use Rohypnol themselves, to sleep, to escape, or to calm the effect of stimulants. The strength of the substance means tolerance develops relatively quickly, then physical dependence appears, making stopping difficult. Signs of a problem include constant drowsiness, repeated forgetfulness, mood swings, isolation, spending money on illicit sources, and mixing it with alcohol or other substances.
Stopping suddenly after regular use can cause strong withdrawal symptoms, including severe anxiety, insomnia and tremor, and in severe cases seizures and hallucinations. The timeline of these symptoms is explained in our article on benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms.
Mistaken rumors about Rohypnol
- “You can always spot it from the drink’s color”: the dye only applies to the original formula, and unlicensed versions and other substances may change nothing.
- “Assaults only come from strangers”: many spiking cases are committed by people the victim knows.
- “Someone who takes it themselves won’t get addicted because they only take it on occasions”: intermittent use can become regular, and the substance is strong and builds tolerance quickly.
- “A strong young man can handle mixing it with alcohol”: depressed breathing knows nothing of physical strength or past experience.
Treating Rohypnol addiction
Because stopping suddenly is dangerous, treatment begins with a medical assessment establishing the length of use and the accompanying substances, then a gradual taper under continuous supervision, often needing admission if alcohol is mixed in or there is a history of seizures. This is followed by psychotherapy addressing what drove the use — chronic insomnia, anxiety or trauma — with a relapse-prevention program and family involvement. You will find the stages in more detail in our article on benzodiazepine addiction treatment.
How can Riviera Life help you?
At Riviera Life in Sheikh Zayed we take cases of dependence on powerful benzodiazepines, with round-the-clock medical supervision and complete confidentiality, and we also offer psychological support to anyone who has been through a drugging experience and is suffering its effects. The first consultation is free on +201507999722.
More from our benzodiazepine guide
Questions many people ask
The name came from the company that first launched the medicine Rohypnol, whose active substance is flunitrazepam.
It is banned or tightly restricted in many countries, and was never medically approved in some, and possessing it without a prescription from a licensed source is illegal in most countries.
Ask for help immediately from someone you trust and don't leave with a stranger, call an ambulance, and then ask for a test at the hospital as soon as possible.
Because the substance stops the brain's ability to record new events for the whole period of its effect, even if the person seemed awake.
Yes, through a gradual taper under medical supervision, then psychotherapy and a relapse-prevention program; the case may need admission if alcohol is mixed in.
