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Analysis of Flunitrazepam and Its Metabolites in Biological Specimens

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Benzodiazepines and GHB

Part of the book series: Forensic Science and Medicine ((FSM))

Abstract

Flunitrazepam, 5-(2-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro- l-methyl-7-nitro-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one, also commonly known as Rohypnol or “roofies,” belongs to a highly potent group of benzodiazepines used mainly as hypnotic, sleeping aid, or preanesthetic agents (1–3). The drug is distributed in 80 countries throughout the world; however, it has never been approved for medicinal use in the United States. It is at present listed as a Schedule IV controlled substance under current U.S. statutes. The drug is smuggled into the United States across the Mexican border or from South American countries through Miami. It is alleged to have been involved in date-rape cases in the 1990s (4–8).

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Authors
  1. Mahmoud A. ElSohly
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  2. Shixia Feng
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Roche Diagnostics Corp., Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Salvatore J. Salamone PhD

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ElSohly, M.A., Feng, S. (2001). Analysis of Flunitrazepam and Its Metabolites in Biological Specimens. In: Salamone, S.J. (eds) Benzodiazepines and GHB. Forensic Science and Medicine. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-109-1_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-109-1_3

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61737-287-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-109-1

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