Flunitrazepam 169than flunitrazepam), 451 positive for alcohol, and 468 negative for any drug
of abuse that was searched for. A two-year study of 2,003 urine samples from
sexual assault victims believed to have ingested a drug found less than 2%
containing flunitrazepam orGHB. The same study reported that as of 1999
utilization of those two drugs seemed to be waning. Flunitrazepam’s legal
manufacturer has offered to provide free and definitive analysis of samples
submitted by medical and law enforcement personnel. Researchers at the Uni-
versity of Miami report that detection of flunitrazepam in urine samples is
easy and that, in contrast to ambiguous results from sex crime investigations,
flunitrazepam had been confirmed in “up to” 10% of drunk driving cases in
1995 and 1996 in Miami-Dade County, Florida, but plummeted after the drug
became Schedule I under state law in 1997.
Despite hype about flunitrazepam, a review article published in 1997 noted
absence of evidence that the substance’s actions differ from those of other
drugs in the benzodiazepine class. Flunitrazepam is simply a very strong ben-
zodiazepine, and its potency may have much to do with stories told about it.
To produce similar drug effects, a small amount of flunitrazepam may be
about equal to a large amount of some other benzodiazepine.
Tolerance can occur. A person’s body can develop dependence with fluni-
trazepam, resulting in a withdrawal syndrome if dosage stops. Withdrawal
symptoms are similar to those with other benzodiazepine class substances.
Severe cases can include delirium, hallucinations, and seizures. When re-
searchers cut off the drug supply to dependent monkeys they became agitated
and peevish, had tremors and poor control of muscles, and sometimes vom-
ited and ran a fever. Although flunitrazepam is much stronger than diazepam,
a canine experiment found those two drugs roughly equivalent in ability to
produce dependence. Flunitrazepam reduced themorphinewithdrawal syn-
drome in mice; if the same effect carries over to humans flunitrazepam might
appeal to opiate addicts who have an unreliable supply of opiates. Surveys
show flunitrazepam to be a favorite among opiate abusers, although among
other people the substance seems no more attractive than other benzodiaze-
pines.
Drug interactions.Alcohol and flunitrazepam boost each other’s actions.
Some illicit drug users find flunitrazepam to be a pleasing addition to a dose
of inferiorheroin, and some find that flunitrazepam eases harsh effects from
cocaine. However, using multiple illicit drugs, particularly if the combination
tends to make the body produce opposite actions simultaneously, is an invi-
tation to problems.Buprenorphinedisrupts the body’s ability to break down
flunitrazepam.
Cancer.Laboratory testing of the drug itself and of urine from rats and
humans who have received doses indicates that flunitrazepam can induce
gene mutations, a possible sign of cancer-causing potential.
Pregnancy.In pregnant women the drug passes into amniotic fluid and the
fetal blood supply, although fetal levels are lower than maternal levels. Ex-
cessive muscular motions have been observed in a fetus after the drug is
administered to a pregnant woman. When given to infants the drug lowers
their blood pressure (an effect noted in adults as well). Although the drug