Bromazolam at a glance: schedule, half-life, and class
- 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)
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.[1]
In June 2024 the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs placed bromazolam in Schedule IV of the 1971 Convention. The DEA issued a temporary order placing it in Schedule I in March 2026.[1]
Bromazolam effects and how long they last
Bromazolam causes sedation, relaxation, muscle relaxation, and memory loss like alprazolam, with heavy blackouts at higher doses.[1]
Bromazolam side effects and risks
Overdose with opioids: mixed into fentanyl, it causes prolonged sedation that naloxone cannot reverse, raising the risk of death, choking, and injury.[1]
Unknown dose: counterfeit bars contain unpredictable amounts and sometimes fentanyl.[2]
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.
Bromazolam interactions: what is dangerous to mix with it
Choose what it would be combined with:
| 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 |
This is not a full list. Combining substances raises the risk of harm, especially when the contents of street drugs are unknown.
Bromazolam overdose: signs and what to 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.[1]
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.
Bromazolam withdrawal timeline: symptoms and how long it lasts
Regular use causes benzodiazepine dependence. Withdrawal from designer benzodiazepines can be severe and has caused seizures.[1]
- 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.
Warning: Stopping regular bromazolam use suddenly can cause seizures. Seek medical help to taper, usually with a prescribed benzodiazepine.
People exposed to benzo dope may need treatment for both opioid and benzodiazepine withdrawal.
Is bromazolam legal in the US? Schedule and legal status
Bromazolam was temporarily placed in Schedule I by DEA order in March 2026, following its addition to the 1971 UN Convention in 2024.[1]
- 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.[3]
- State law: many states had already banned bromazolam before federal action.
Where can someone get help with bromazolam use?
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357. Free, confidential, 24 hours a day, in English and Spanish. It gives referrals to local treatment and support.[4]
- FindTreatment.gov: a federal locator for state-licensed treatment programs, searchable by location, payment, and type of care.[5]
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 for a mental health or substance use crisis.
- Your own clinician: a primary care doctor can screen, treat, and refer, and can discuss medicines that support recovery where they exist.
Bromazolam legal status in other countries
| Country | Status |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Class C |
| International | Schedule IV of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances (2024) |
Laws change and differ in detail. Check current rules before carrying any controlled medicine across a border.[6]
Common 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.
