Designer Benzodiazepines and Related Substances

In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the online sales of “designer benzodiazepines” and related substances, including etizolam, flualprazolam, clonazolam, flubromazolam, and diclazepam. These substances are often sold online. To avoid enforcement, illegal online drug sellers frequently market these substances as “research chemicals.” Overdose deaths involving designer benzodiazepines have increased 520% between 2019 and 2020, according to data from 32 states and the District of Columbia. In response, the five “designer” benzodiazepines listed above have been recently classified as Schedule I controlled substances in the United States—and in many other jurisdictions.

Please note: Although this paper focuses on the legal status of etizolam, flualprazolam, clonazolam, flubromazolam, and diclazepam, there are many similar designer drugs offered for sale on the internet. Examples include: adinazolam, bromazolam, cloniprazepam, deschloroetizolam, flubromazepam, fluclotizolam, flunitrazolam, fonazepam, meclonazepam, methylclonazepam, metizolam, nifoxipam, nitemazepam, norflurazepam, phenazepam, pyrazolam, thionordazepam, and 3-hydroxy-phenazepam.

Etizolam

Etizolam is a thienotriazolodiazepine, which means that it is chemically related to benzodiazepines (e.g., Xanax). It has anxiolytic, disinhibiting, and sedative effects. It is sold as a powder, tablet, and on blotter paper. Etizolam is ten times more powerful than Valium and has been associated with a number of deaths following recreational use. See, e.g., Killer drug Etizolam Ten Times More Deadly than Street Valium being sold on Scottish streets Disguised as Diazepam (Aug. 14, 2018) and ‘Street Valium’ Deaths Prompt Public Health Warning (Oct. 17, 2019).

Etizolam is frequently sold online under trade names such as: Etizest, Etilaam, Etizex, Depas, Sedekopan, and Pasaden. Street names include “etiz,” “etizzy” and “street valium.” An example of an illegal online pharmacy selling etizolam follows:

For additional information about etizolam, see DEA, Etizolam Fact Sheet; see also UK & Ireland Drugwatch, Information Sheet: Etizolam.

Etizolam is a controlled or prohibited substance in many countries, including:

• Brazil: As of April 2023, etizolam has been added to Annex I of the Lists of Narcotic, Psychotropic, Precursor and Other Substances under Special Control, under Ordinance SVS/MS nº 344, of May 12, 1998.

• Denmark: Etizolam is a controlled euphoriant substance in Denmark. See List of Euphoriant Substances Included in Executive Order No. 557 of May 31, 2011 and Amendments.

• Germany: Etizolam is an Annex III controlled drug under Germany’s Narcotics Act (Betäubungsmittelgesetz – BtMG).

• Hong Kong: Etizolam is classified as a dangerous drug under the First Schedule (Part I) of Hong Kong’s Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.

• Italy: Etizolam is a controlled substance and an approved prescription-only medicine in Italy, sold under the brand names Depas and Pasaden. See AIFA Medicinal Database (enter “etizolam” in the search field).

• Japan: Etizolam is a designated drug (i.e., narcotic) in Japan; it is also an approved prescription-only medicine. See 新たに３物質を向精神薬に指定します.

• Netherlands: Etizolam is a List II controlled substance in the Netherlands.

• United Kingdom: Etizolam is a Class C controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. See Misuse of Drugs Act – Schedule 2 (Class C).

• United States: On July 26, 2023, the DEA temporarily scheduled etizolam in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.

Clonazolam

Clonazolam, also known as clonitrazolam, is a triazolobenzodiazepine (i.e., a benzodiazepine derivative). Its effects include anxiolysis, disinhibition, lethargy, muscle relaxation, and euphoria. Clonazolam is sold as a powder, as well as in blotter, liquid, and tablet forms. In recent years, clonazolam has been increasingly sold as falsified benzodiazepines (commonly as diazepam and alprazolam). See World Health Organization, Critical Review Report: Clonazolam; see also US Secret Service, Cape Coral Man Sentenced To More Than 21 Years In Federal Prison For Manufacturing Counterfeit Pills Containing Fentanyl And Bank Fraud (Oct. 23, 2023). Street names for clonazolam include: Clon, Clam, and C-lam. Below, please find an example of a “research chemical” website that sells clonazolam, as well as many other psychoactive substances.

Clonazolam is a controlled or prohibited substance in many countries, including:

• Australia: Clonazolam is a Schedule 9 prohibited substance in Australia.

• Brazil: As of April 2023, clonazolam has been added to Annex I of the Lists of Narcotic, Psychotropic, Precursor and Other Substances under Special Control, under Ordinance SVS/MS nº 344, of May 12, 1998.

• Denmark: Clonazolam is a controlled euphoriant substance in Denmark. See List of Euphoriant Substances Included in Executive Order No. 557 of May 31, 2011 and Amendments.

• Germany: Clonazolam is an Annex II controlled drug under Germany’s Narcotics Act (Betäubungsmittelgesetz – BtMG). See Betäubungsmittelgesetz – Annex II.

• Hong Kong: Clonazolam is classified as a dangerous drug under the First Schedule (Part I) of Hong Kong’s Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.

• Japan: Clonazolam is a designated drug in Japan. See 新たに８物質を麻薬等に指定し、規制の強化を図ります.

• Netherlands: Clonazolam is a List II controlled substance in the Netherlands.

• Switzerland: Clonazolam is a controlled substance under the Narcotics List Ordinance.

• United Kingdom: Clonazolam is a Class C controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. See Misuse of Drugs Act – Schedule 2 (Class C).

• United States: On July 26, 2023, the DEA temporarily scheduled clonazolam in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.

Flubromazolam

Flubromazolam is a triazolobenzodiazepine (i.e., a benzodiazepine derivative). Users report heavy hypnotic and sedative effects, long-lasting amnesiac effects, and the rapid development of tolerance. Its street name is “liquid Xanax.” Flubromazolam has been identified in Pez-like pills or tablets. Flubromazolam, sold in candy form, has also been linked to US overdoses and deaths. See, e.g., Department of Justice, Cross Junction Man Sentenced for Misbranding Flubromazolam. For additional information, see World Health Organization, Critical Review Report: Flubromazolam.

Flubromazolam can be found on “research chemical” websites and online marketplaces. For an example of an online marketplace that sells flubromazolam (and links to a research chemical site in its related image), see below.

Flubromazolam is a controlled or prohibited substance in many countries, including:

• Australia: Flubromazolam is a Schedule 9 prohibited substance in Australia.

• Brazil: As of April 2023, flubromazolam has been added to Annex I of the Lists of Narcotic, Psychotropic, Precursor and Other Substances under Special Control, under Ordinance SVS/MS nº 344, of May 12, 1998.

• Hong Kong: Flubromazolam is classified as a dangerous drug under the First Schedule (Part I) of Hong Kong’s Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.

• Japan: Flubromazolam is a designated drug in Japan. See 新たに８物質を麻薬等に指定し、規制の強化を図ります.

• Netherlands: Flubromazolam is a List II controlled substance in the Netherlands.

• Switzerland: Flubromazolam is a controlled substance under the Narcotics List Ordinance.

• United Kingdom: Flubromazolam is a Class C controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. See Misuse of Drugs Act – Schedule 2 (Class C).

• United States: On July 26, 2023, the DEA temporarily scheduled flubromazolam in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.

Diclazepam

Diclazepam is also known as chlorodiazepam and 2′-chloro-diazepam. It is a benzodiazepine and an analog of diazepam (more commonly known as Valium). Diclazepam has long-acting effects, with reports of people having “blacked out” for many days after use. It has also been connected to drug-facilitated sexual assaults in China. It is a white powder, but is also commonly sold as tablets, pellets, and as a liquid. See WHO, Critical Review Report: Diclazepam.

Diclazepam is a controlled or prohibited substance in many countries, including:

• Australia: Diclazepam is a Schedule 9 prohibited substance in Australia.

• Brazil: As of April 2023, diclazepam has been added to Annex I of the Lists of Narcotic, Psychotropic, Precursor and Other Substances under Special Control, under Ordinance SVS/MS nº 344, of May 12, 1998.

• Germany: Diclazepam is an Annex II controlled drug under Germany’s Narcotics Act (Betäubungsmittelgesetz – BtMG). See Betäubungsmittelgesetz – Annex II.

• Hong Kong: Diclazepam is classified as a dangerous drug under the First Schedule of Hong Kong’s Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.

• Japan: Diclazepam is a designated drug in Japan. See 新たに８物質を麻薬等に指定し、規制の強化を図ります.

• Netherlands: Diclazepam is a List II controlled substance in the Netherlands.

• Switzerland: Diclazepam is a controlled substance under the Narcotics List Ordinance.

• United Kingdom: Diclazepam is a Class C controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. See Misuse of Drugs Act – Schedule 2 (Class C).

• United States: On July 26, 2023, the DEA temporarily scheduled diclazepam in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.

If you have questions or would like to learn more about how G2 Risk Solutions can help you identify these illegal online drugs in your portfolio, contact us.