Flubromazolam
Flubromazolam is a highly potent, long-acting designer triazolobenzodiazepine. Active in the sub-milligram range and with a long duration, it is associated with extended, sometimes days-long sedation and with serious poisonings, including a well-documented case of prolonged coma. It has never been a licensed medicine.
01 Overview
Flubromazolam is a triazolo derivative related to flubromazepam and to alprazolam-type compounds. It is one of the more potent designer benzodiazepines, active at fractions of a milligram, and notably long-acting, which prolongs impairment and complicates redosing. As with the class generally, there are no controlled human studies; a small number of published case reports and forensic analyses form the evidence base.
A frequently cited case involved severe, protracted intoxication and coma after ingestion of a small quantity. The combination of high potency, long duration and typical benzodiazepine risks — dependence, dense amnesia and additive respiratory depression with other depressants — makes it among the more hazardous compounds in this family.
02 Mechanism
High-potency positive allosteric modulator at the GABA-A benzodiazepine site; triazolo and halogen substitutions confer high affinity and long duration.
03 Dosing
| Tier | Dose | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Threshold | 0.05–0.15 mg | Oral | Active in the microgram-to-sub-milligram range; volumetric dosing strongly advised. |
| Common | 0.15–0.5 mg | Oral | Even small doses are long-lasting; residual impairment persists into following days. |
04 Effects
| Effect | Magnitude | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prolonged sedation and hypnosisStrong, unusually long-lasting sedation even at small doses. | Anecdotal | ||
| AnxiolysisAnxiety reduction typical of the class. | Anecdotal | ||
| Muscle relaxationSkeletal muscle relaxation. | Anecdotal |
05 Side effects
| Effect | Severity | Frequency | Evidence | Countermeasures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dependence and protracted withdrawalRapid dependence; long duration means withdrawal, including seizure risk, can be protracted. Cross-tolerant with all benzodiazepines. | Severe | Universal with regular use | Observational | |
| Prolonged coma / severe intoxicationSmall ingestions have produced severe, protracted intoxication and coma requiring intensive care, reflecting extreme potency and long duration. | Life-threatening | Documented in case reports | Observational | |
| Respiratory depression in combinationAdditive respiratory depression with opioids or alcohol is the usual mechanism of fatal outcomes. | Life-threatening | Common in polydrug use | Observational |