What is Fluclotizolam?

New Forms of Benzodiazepines, Like Fluclotizolam, Are Flooding Black Markets
Fluclotizolam is classified as a novel benzodiazepine and depresses the central nervous system. It’s considered a derivative of etizolam, which is a popular drug in the same class. Etizolam is primarily used in other countries as an anti-anxiety medication, available by prescription. Fluclotizolam is three times more powerful than etizolam, but its effects last half as long, typically up to six hours. Usually sold in a blotter paper form or as a small pill/tablet, its pure form is a simple white powder. It almost looks like flour. It’s also been ingested as a liquid. When consumed orally, the effects of fluclotizolam can usually be felt within 30 minutes. The drug produces a sedative-hypnotic effect, often causing drowsiness, muscle relaxation and slowed, sluggish reactions. The after effects of fluclotizolam may not wear off for 14 hours.

Effects of Fluclotizolam
Currently, there’s not much anecdotal or scientific data aside from what we know through drug law enforcement agency seizures and testing. We know it’s a benzodiazepine relaxant of some kind that causes sleepiness in users. It’s also not a minor anxiolytic like other benzo/thienodiazepines. Fluclotizolam is a nervous system depressant that can cause “blackouts.” Some users reported loss of muscle control, sluggish reaction time, slurred speech and loss of coordination. While the fluclotizolam does make some users less inhibited, it typically causes impaired judgment and even amnesia. The drug has hypnotic effects, with 0.5 mg being the standard dose via liquid-soaked blotter paper.

History of Fluclotizolam
Fluclotizolam was first synthesized in 1979 by Hoffmann La Roche, Inc. and subsequently patented. The drug was first sold via black markets in 2017 as a legal “research chemical.” The first law enforcement seizures were in Denmark and Sweden during the later part of the year; they reported seizing the drugs as blotter paper and small green tablets. It’s currently unscheduled and therefore legal in the US and individual states. Fluclotizolam is illegal in only a handful of countries and remains a legal novel psychoactive substance (NPS).