Bromazolam (brom or brum) is a novel benzodiazepine, similar in structure to alprazolam (Xanax).

The first detection of bromazolam in European drug markets was in 2016. The first detection in Scotland was in 2021.

Reports to RADAR describe bromazolam as having severe sleep inducing and sedative effects, more so than known effects of etizolam. Several reports describe reduced consciousness, memory loss and blackouts, where individuals have difficulty remembering events that occurred while under the influence of the drug (and for several days afterwards).

Often effects are described as fluctuating – the person can quickly change from being sedated, to alert, to sedated again.

Detections

This alert applies to all of Scotland. There have been detections of bromazolam in most regions. The drug testing service, WEDINOS, has detected bromazolam in samples sent from 11 NHS Boards.

Detections have increased rapidly in the last year. It was present in:

• 37% of samples in the ASSIST emergency department study (February to May 2023)
• 80% of prison benzodiazepine seizures (April to July 2023)
• 23% of post-mortem toxicology samples testing positive for a controlled drug (April to May 2023).

 

Appearance

Between 1 January and 14 June 2023, WEDINOS detected bromazolam in 49 samples sent from Scotland. Bromazolam was the ‘purchase intent’ for only one of the 49 samples.

• 72% were blue or white circular pills, often half score on one side, generally purchased as diazepam.
• 24% were white, green or teal bars, often stamped with ‘XANAX’, purchased as alprazolam or Xanax.
• 4% were blue oval pills, purchased as ‘up-johns’.

In prisons, bromazolam has also been found in paper and powder form, in a variety of colours – tan, brown, yellow, white, grey and pink. Due to its potency, it is impossible to accurately dose bromazolam powder. In pure powder form, 1 gram is 1,000 doses (TripSit). A few ‘grains’ of powder can be enough to cause overdose.