Short answer: Bromazolam is a designer benzodiazepine never approved anywhere as a medicine. Since about 2022 it has been the most common benzodiazepine found in counterfeit Xanax bars and in fentanyl ('benzo dope'). The UN placed it under control in 2024, and the DEA temporarily placed it in Schedule I in March 2026.
Key takeaways
- What it is: Bromazolam is a designer benzodiazepine and a Schedule I controlled substance in the US.
- Medical use: none accepted in the US.
- Timing: effects start in 15 to 45 minutes and last several hours.
- Most dangerous mix: Opioids, especially fentanyl, which can cause profound sedation, stopped breathing, death.
- Naloxone: it does not reverse this drug, but give it whenever opioids could be involved.
- Dependence risk: High.
- Legal route: none. Schedule I substances cannot be prescribed.
What is bromazolam?
Bromazolam was first described in the 1970s but never marketed. It appeared in the illicit supply around 2016 and became the leading designer benzodiazepine in US drug seizures and overdose deaths by 2022 to 2023.
Bromazolam causes sedation, relaxation, muscle relaxation, and memory loss like alprazolam, with heavy blackouts at higher doses.
Quick facts
| Fact | Bromazolam |
|---|---|
| Drug class | Triazolobenzodiazepine (designer benzodiazepine) |
| US legal status | Schedule I (temporary order, March 2026) |
| Approved uses | None |
| How it appears | Counterfeit Xanax bars, powders, and mixed into fentanyl |
| Onset | 15 to 45 minutes |
| Naloxone | Does not reverse it |
| International | Schedule IV of the 1971 Convention (2024) |
How long does bromazolam last?
- Starts working: 15 to 45 minutes
- Effects last: Several hours
Timing varies with the dose, the form, how it is taken, liver and kidney function, age, and other drugs taken at the same time.
What are the biggest risks of bromazolam?
Overdose with opioids: mixed into fentanyl, it causes prolonged sedation that naloxone cannot reverse, raising the risk of death, choking, and injury.
Unknown dose: counterfeit bars contain unpredictable amounts and sometimes fentanyl.
Blackouts and wounds: deep, long sedation leads to amnesia, falls, and pressure injuries.
Warning: Pills sold as Xanax outside a pharmacy are often bromazolam or contain fentanyl. Never use alone, and give naloxone if breathing is slow, even though it will not wake someone from bromazolam alone.
What should you never mix with bromazolam?
| Combined with | What happens | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Opioids, especially fentanyl | Profound sedation, stopped breathing, death | Dangerous |
| Alcohol | Blackouts, slowed breathing | Dangerous |
| Other sedatives (gabapentinoids, sleep medicines, xylazine) | Deep sedation | Dangerous |
| Stimulants | Masked sedation, then collapse | High risk |
Check any combination with the DoseUses combination checker or ask a pharmacist.
What are the signs of a bromazolam overdose, and what should you do?
Overdose causes deep, prolonged sedation, confusion, and coma, and, with opioids or alcohol, stopped breathing. People may wake after naloxone yet remain heavily sedated.
If someone may have overdosed
- Call 911 if the person is unresponsive, hard to wake, or breathing slowly.
- For advice when the person is awake and stable, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US, free, 24 hours).
- If opioids could be involved, including pills not from a pharmacy, give naloxone if you have it. Naloxone does not reverse bromazolam, but it will not harm the person.
- Stay with the person and place them on their side if they are drowsy or vomiting.
What is bromazolam withdrawal like, and how long does it last?
Regular use causes benzodiazepine dependence. Withdrawal from designer benzodiazepines can be severe and has caused seizures.
- Day 1 to 3Symptoms beginRebound anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, sweating, and tremor.
- Weeks 1 to 4Acute withdrawalPanic, irritability, muscle pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and in severe cases seizures or delirium.
- MonthsProtracted symptoms in some peopleA minority have lingering anxiety, poor sleep, low mood, or tingling that can last weeks to more than 12 months.
See the withdrawal timelines and the full bromazolam withdrawal guide.
Is bromazolam legal?
Bromazolam was temporarily placed in Schedule I by DEA order in March 2026, following its addition to the 1971 UN Convention in 2024.
- Possession: under federal law, a first conviction for possessing any controlled substance without a valid prescription can bring up to one year in prison and a minimum fine of $1,000.
- State law: many states had already banned bromazolam before federal action.
Outside the United States
| Country | Status |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Class C |
| International | Schedule IV of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances (2024) |
Frequently asked questions about bromazolam
Is bromazolam in fake Xanax?
Yes. It is one of the most common substances in counterfeit Xanax bars.
Does naloxone work on bromazolam?
No, but give it anyway if opioids could be involved and breathing is slow.
What is benzo dope?
Fentanyl mixed with a benzodiazepine, often bromazolam, which causes long, deep sedation.
Is bromazolam legal?
No. It became Schedule I under a temporary DEA order in March 2026.
Can bromazolam withdrawal cause seizures?
Yes. Stopping regular use suddenly is dangerous; seek medical help.
Sources
- Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of Bromazolam in Schedule I, Federal Register, March 16, 2026.
- One Pill Can Kill, US Drug Enforcement Administration.
- 21 U.S.C. 844, Penalties for simple possession, Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School.
- National Helpline, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- FindTreatment.gov, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- International drug control conventions, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
This guide summarizes the sourced DoseUses Bromazolam profile, written from FDA labels, DEA rules, and federal health agencies. It is educational and is not medical advice. Last updated October 5, 2026.
