Flunitrazepam, an intermediate acting benzodiazepine, better known as Rohypnol or a "roofie" is a very common date rape drug because it's hypnotic, odorless, colorless and quickly dissolves, making it undetectable while producing amnesia for the victim.

Other common names for Flunitrazepam are Narcozep, Rohipnol and Roipnol.

The legal used of Rohypnol is for insomnia or as a sedative given before surgery for sedation, to reduce anxiety and apprehension before gas sedation.

Rohypnol is cheap to buy and begins to take effect within 30 minutes. The roofie is typically introduced to the victim within a beverage, most frequently into alcohol being consumed in public places.

Other side effects include a rebound effect 4 days after discontinued consumption. During consumption side effects include anxiety, aggressiveness, agitation, confusion, lack of inhibition, loss of impulse control, talkativeness, violent behavior, convulsions, lack of concentration, impaired psychomotor, impaired coordination, impaired balance and dizziness, slurred speech, gastrointestinal problems, vomiting, respiratory depression when higher doses are used.

People at higher risk of complications include pregnant women, elderly, children and those with psychiatric disorders.

Rohypnol leaves the blood stream fairly quickly. It can be detected in a blood or urine sample within 72 hours of ingestion, making quick diagnosis very important.

Flunitrazepam is manufactured by pharmaceutical company Fritz Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. which is located in Switzerland.

Rohypnol is commonly found on the black market in Mexico and Columbia and is legally prescribed by health care professionals in numerous countries including Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Sweden the United Kingdom and others. It's not approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the U.S and is illegal.