Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) Alerts
Bromazolam alert

Public health alert: New benzodiazepines – Bromazolam

Printable summary of this alert

Update

This alert was updated on 13 October 2023 to include recent detection data and new information on effects.

Summary

Between 2016 and 2022, etizolam was the primary drug detected in street benzodiazepines (benzos) in Scotland. Data shows the market is significantly changing, etizolam detections are decreasing and detections of new benzodiazepines are increasing.

Bromazolam is now the most common drug detected in ‘street benzos’.

Bromazolam has been seized in both community and custodial settings and implicated in hospitalisations and deaths in different areas of the country.

Reports to RADAR indicate that bromazolam produces strong sedative and sleep-inducing effects. As a result, there is a substantial risk of overdose.

The harm associated with bromazolam and other new benzos should be considered in the context of polysubstance use (mixing drugs), which is a common feature of drug use in Scotland. 

Services should promote and discuss realistic harm reduction and support measures. Overdose signs and response actions for bromazolam are the same as for any other overdose involving depressants.

New drugs may not always be picked up in clinical testing but that does not mean that they are not present. Consider the person’s presentation and clinical history to determine appropriate interventions. Guidance on psychological and prescribing interventions to address benzodiazepine harms is available from the Scottish Drug Deaths Taskforce.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are a group of depressant (downer) drugs. They are also known as sedatives and hypnotics.

There are many drugs in this group and some, such as diazepam, are prescribed as medicines in the UK.

When taken in high doses (or mixed with other drugs) they can depress the central nervous system and cause respiratory depression, where breathing becomes dangerously slow or stops.

Mixing benzodiazepines with other depressants, such as alcohol, gabapentinoids or opioids, increases the risk of overdose.

Street benzos

‘Street benzos’ is a term used to describe benzodiazepines from a non-pharmaceutical source. Unlike medicines, they are manufactured without quality control.

They are generally pressed into pills and sold loose in bags. Some are sold to look like genuine medicines in branded counterfeit packaging.

'Street benzos' are usually mis-sold as diazepam and referred to using generic, interchangeable names like Valium, vallies, bars and blues.

They often contain new psychoactive substances (NPSs).

These are drugs that:

• have been newly developed, or
• were developed a number of years ago but have recently resurfaced

Different benzo-type NPSs have been detected in Scotland in 2023, including:

• etizolam
• gidazepam
• flubromazepam
• clonazolam
• flubromazolam

This alert focuses on bromazolam as it’s currently the most common drug detected in street benzodiazepines.

The information applies to anyone taking benzos not prescribed to them.

Bromazolam

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.

Recognising and responding to a benzodiazepine overdose

Depressant drug overdose signs 

• unconsciousness (won’t wake with a shout or a shake) 
• unable to speak or respond 
• shallow (or slowed) breathing 
• snoring or rasping breaths
• nausea and vomiting
• seizures
• blue lips 
• pale skin 
• pin-point pupils (sign of opioid use)

People may be taking a combination of drugs with different effects and the signs may not be as clear cut as the above. Some people may display all overdose signs, others will have one or two. 

In an emergency 

• Check if the person is conscious by shaking them and loudly calling their name or asking if they’re okay. 
• If the person does not respond, check they are breathing.  
• If there’s no response, stay calm and call 999. 
• Ask for an ambulance. Give as much information as you can and be honest about what was taken – you won’t get in trouble for getting help.  
• The call handler will stay on the line and talk you through what to do. If you are by yourself, put them on speakerphone to leave your hands free.
• Speak to the person, reassure them and talk them through what you are doing. They may be able to hear you even if they can’t respond.
• Administer naloxone if you have it (see naloxone guidance below). 
• For people who are unresponsive and breathing, put them in the recovery position (on their side with their head tilted back) and monitor breathing. 
• For people who are unresponsive and not breathing, start chest compressions. If you have someone there, ask them to get a defibrillator. 
• Stay with the person until help arrives. 

Learn more about drug overdose and emergency first aid: 

• Unresponsive and breathing patient (British Red Cross)
• Unresponsive and not breathing patient (British Red Cross) 
• Drugs: what you need to know (NHS inform) 
• Stop The Deaths (Scottish Drugs Forum) 
• Overdose (Crew) 

Naloxone 

Naloxone is an effective, life-saving medicine that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

Although benzodiazepines are not opioids, naloxone should always be administered if the person is overdosing and is unresponsive. Many overdoses involve both benzos and opioids and reversing the effects of one drug may be enough to bring the person round.  Even if it doesn’t help, it will do no harm. 

In Scotland, naloxone is available at some pharmacies and drug services. It can also be ordered online for home delivery from Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs. 

Information for people who take drugs and community members

The unregulated drug supply is increasingly toxic and unpredictable.

Getting support and treatment reduces the risk of experiencing harm or dying from an overdose.

Speak to your local drug service about support for benzo use. Click here to find a drug service in your area.

If you are dependent on benzos and want to stop, it is important to slowly and steadily reduce the quantity over time.

Sudden withdrawal can cause seizures, which can be life threatening. Your GP or local drug service can help with this. For more information on benzodiazepine withdrawal, visit The Ashton Manual.

Follow harm reduction practices

Actions for high-risk settings

High-risk settings are places where people may take more drugs than average, often at the same time and from shared batches. Places at higher risk include prisons, hostels, supported accommodation, nightlife venues, festivals, care homes and educational settings. 

People living and working in these settings should: 

• Ensure their setting is prepared and ready to respond to overdose situations. 
• Encourage people to report overdose signs immediately. In an emergency, stay calm and call 999 straight away.
• Recognise that levels of consciousness may fluctuate for several hours (sometimes days) while under the influence of benzodiazepines. Even if the person appears alert, this may be temporary. Stay with the person and monitor closely for the signs of an overdose. 
• Carry and promote naloxone. Ensure the setting has multiple naloxone kits available and trained people are able to respond. Check that kits have not expired and that they are easy to access in the event of an emergency. 
• Provide regular refresher training on drug-related emergencies, including information on risk factors, identifying an overdose, basic life support and naloxone.
• If applicable, remind staff to use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow procedures when handling substances. 

Actions for drug and alcohol service staff

• Services, and Alcohol and Drug Partnerships should share this alert with local partners who are likely to be in contact with people who take drugs. 
• When asking patients about substance use, explain that the contents of street benzos are changing and new substances like bromazolam are becoming more common.
• Use the opportunity to raise awareness on the risks of new drugs and counterfeit medicines. Discuss treatment options and harm reduction approaches, including the risk of mixing drugs and the importance of drug checking.
• Benzodiazepines can cause extreme memory impairment. Discuss ways to keep track of appointments such as setting and sending reminders. Make a note of key points at appointments and recap these each time you meet.
• Service staff can help people access the drug testing service WEDINOS. Staff should not handle any substances but can facilitate service access by providing printed sample submission forms, stamped addressed envelopes and by sharing online results. 
• Provide training on overdose and benzodiazepines. SDF offers a free e-learning course called What’s happening on the streets with benzos?
• Read the benzo harm reduction and prescribing guidance published by the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) programme. This guidance is for staff who support people accessing treatment for benzodiazepine use. It includes information on the prescribing and the safe and effective delivery of appropriate psychosocial interventions.

Actions for emergency service, clinical and healthcare staff

All staff working in emergency services and health care should be vigilant for the presentation of patients with benzodiazepine toxicity.

They should look out for:

• decreased blood pressure
• decreased consciousness
• decreased mental activity
• decreased pulse
• decreased respiration
• decreased temperature

The most common clinical features of bromazolam toxicity in the ASSIST emergency department toxicology study were reduced consciousness, airway compromise and agitation.

Be aware that testing used by clinical services is varied and as substances change these may not always be picked up by existing urine and saliva test kits. Non-detection of benzodiazepines does not mean that newer benzodiazepines are not present, and a person’s clinical history is also important to determine appropriate prescribing and psychosocial interventions.

Build links with your local drug services and liaison team and in all your contacts with patients, encourage them to access support and take-home naloxone. 

For further advice, medical professionals can use the National Poisons Information Service 24-hour telephone service on 0344 892 0111, or its online database, TOXBASE. 

Legal status

In the UK, many benzodiazepines (including bromazolam) are classified as Class C drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971).

The decrease in etizolam may be due to international control. In 2021, etizolam and alprazolam were controlled under the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971), increasing regulations on their production and distribution. The increase in bromazolam and other benzos may be due to their availability and its potential to be used as a substitute.

If bromazolam is internationally controlled, it is likely we will see further changes to the benzodiazepine market and more novel substances will emerge.

More information

For more information:

• World Health Organization: Critical review report: Bromazolam
• Crew: What is bromazolam? Benzodiazepine information
• Scottish Government: Benzodiazepine use – current trends: evidence review

For more information on overdose, visit Stop the Deaths.  

For help and support or information on drugs, visit NHS inform. 

To order naloxone, visit Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol & Drugs: Take-Home Naloxone.

Benzos giving unexpected effects? Make a report to RADAR. Use our reporting form or email phs.drugsradar@phs.scot