The History of Rophynol.

Rophynol is the brand name of a psychoactive depressant that is known to have strong sedative, hypnotic, and muscle relaxant effects. The drug chemically known as Flunitrazepam is a benzodiazepine, a class of drugs that acts on the receptors of GABA, one of the brains neurotransmitters.

Origin of Rophynol:

The drug originated in the labs of Hoffman-La Roche, a Swiss pharmaceutical company. The company developed many benzodiazepines during the years between 1950 and 1970. Rophynol was one of the most potent drugs of these, 10 times stronger than the drug Valium developed by Roche during the same period. Though first manufactured in 1972, Rophynol was introduced into the European commercial drug market in the year 1975. Soon after its introduction the drug was reported to be used for recreation and criminal activities.

The drug is reported to have entered the US markets in the early 1980's, by the late 1980's the drug became popular as a recreational drug among youngsters frequenting clubs and pubs.Initially Rophynol was used as a prescription drug to sedate and induce sleep in chronic pain disorders and severe insomnia sufferers. However reports of Rophynol abuse moved the drug from it's prescription drug status to a scheduled drug status. Currently Rophynol is available legally in Mexico, parts of Europe and most of Asia. Rophynol is a banned drug in the United States of America as the dangers its poses overwhelm it's medical benefits.

Rophynol Dosage:

Rophynol is tasteless, odorless and colorless. Roche marketed it as 1 mg and 2 mg white pills in bubble wrap stamped with the number 542 on one side. However Roche limited the dosage to 1mg pills from the late 1990's citing the drugs potency and potential for abuse. The new 1mg pills were no longer white in color, they were green due to the addition of a blue dye. The invisible, tasteless, odorless and colorless nature of the drug combined with it's easy solubility in alcohol and other drinks lead many criminals to spike the drinks of unsuspecting victims. The criminals then easily assaulted or stole from the victims and then got away with their crime while the victim lay helpless. Rophynol also induces a short term memory loss of any event following its ingestion meaning that it was indeed difficult for the victim to identify the attacker or recount the attack. Citing these incidents Roche added the dye to its pills so that once dissolved the drinks would turn green ensuring that the drug could be detected. Roche also hard pressed the pills ensuring that they dissolved easily only in hot water. The old white pills are however are still marketed by Roche in Asia.

Rophynol Smuggling:

As soon the drug was banned in the United States of America, the drug began to be trafficked in from Mexico and Columbia. Texas and Florida the border States began to see an increased use in Rophynol compared to the other states within the USA.In the Europe where some countries have banned it and some have not, the drug is easily trafficked within the EU borders .However most countries are revising the status of Rophynol as a legal drug and moving it to Scheduled Drugs, which requires authentic prescription to be allowed in possession and used.

Usage trends of Rophynol:

Over the years since it was first introduced, recreational use of the drug has increased amongst the young. Despite it being illegal in many places and banned in the US it continues to be available through black market. Rophynol is popular in the street under the names Roofies, R2, Forget me pill, Roachies, Roach and the Rope. It is now known to be a popular club drug taken along with alcohol to enhance the effects of alcohol and induce a relaxed state. Rophynol is cheaper than most other drugs and it's pill form in the bubble wrap gives it a deceptive legitimate look leading school students and College students to use it as a fun cheap drug.

Rophynol is extremely potent and repeated use can lead to drug tolerance and addiction. Withdrawal effects from Rophynol are intense and obnoxious and sometimes even life threatening as it includes suicidal thoughts along with severe headaches, anxiety, hallucination and other perceptual and physical discomforts. Rophynol antidotes have been developed and under medical supervision de-addiction from Rophynol is possible.