Rohypnol

Definition

Brand name of a sleeping pill marketed in Mexico, South America, Europe and Asia by Roche Pharmaceuticals, Inc. It is the trade name for flunitrazepam (C16H12O3), a benzodiazepine, a very potent tranquilizer from the family of sedative/hypnotics that includes Valium (diazepam), Librium (chlorodiazepoxide) and Xanax (alprazolam). According to the DEA, it has been available on the streets of Florida and Texas since the early 1990s and is now spreading to other cities; it is quickly becoming the date rape drug of choice because when taken in combination with alcohol it causes disinhibition and blackouts lasting 8 to 24 hours. It is known on the street as: Forget Pill / La Roche / Lunch Money / Mexican Valium / Pappas / R-2 / Rib / Roaches / Roachies / Roche / Roofies / Rope / Rophies / Ruffies / RZ: in Australia it is sold as Stupefi; journalists have called it The Quaalude of the '90s.