Roipnol

Roipnol - General Information

A benzodiazepine with pharmacologic actions similar to those of diazepam that can cause anterograde amnesia. Some reports indicate that it is used as a date rape drug and suggest that it may precipitate violent behavior. The United States Government has banned the importation of this drug. [PubChem]

Pharmacology of Roipnol

Roipnol is a powerful hypnotic drug that is a benzodiazepine derivative. It has powerful hypnotic, sedative, anxiolytic, and skeletal muscle relaxant properties. The drug is sometimes used as a date rape drug. In the United States, the drug has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for medical use, and is considered to be an illegal drug. It has however been approved in the United Kingdom and other countries.

Additional information about Roipnol

Roipnol Indication: For short-term treatment of severe insomnias, that are not responsive to other hypnotics.
Mechanism Of Action: Benzodiazepines bind nonspecifically to benzodiazepine receptors BNZ1, which mediates sleep, and BNZ2, which affects affects muscle relaxation, anticonvulsant activity, motor coordination, and memory. As benzodiazepine receptors are thought to be coupled to gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) receptors, this enhances the effects of GABA by increasing GABA affinity for the GABA receptor. Binding of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA to the site opens the chloride channel, resulting in a hyperpolarized cell membrane that prevents further excitation of the cell.
Drug Interactions: Not Available
Food Interactions: Avoid alcohol.
Take with food.
Avoid excessive quantities of coffee or tea (Caffeine).
Avoid taking with grapefruit juice.
Generic Name: Flunitrazepam
Synonyms: Flunitrazepamum [inn-latin]
Drug Category: Anti-anxiety Agents; GABA Modulators; Hypnotics and Sedatives; Benzodiazepines
Drug Type: Small Molecule; Illicit; Approved

Other Brand Names containing Flunitrazepam: Rohypnol; Roipnol; Narcozep; Primun;
Absorption: 50% (suppository) and 64-77% (oral)
Toxicity (Overdose): Symptoms of overdose include confusion, coma, impaired coordination, sleepiness, and slowed reaction time.
Protein Binding: Not Available
Biotransformation: Hepatic.
Half Life: 18-26 hours
Dosage Forms of Roipnol: Not Available
Chemical IUPAC Name: 5-(2-fluorophenyl)-1-methyl-7-nitro-3H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one
Chemical Formula: C16H12FN3O3
Flunitrazepam on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flunitrazepam
Organisms Affected: Humans and other mammals