Benzodiazepines
Bromazolam
Street names: Bromo, Bromaz, Fake Xanax, Designer Xanax
Overdose? Act now. Call emergency services — say "unresponsive, not breathing". Give naloxone for opioid-like signs. Hotlines
⚡What it does
- Sedation, anxiety relief and muscle relaxation — like alprazolam but often stronger per milligram
- Short-term memory loss and blackouts, especially above ~3 mg
- Compulsive redosing when the blackout makes you forget you already took some
⚠Key risks
- The #1 novel benzodiazepine detected in counterfeit 'Xanax bars' in North America since 2023 — most users have no idea they're taking it
- Pressed bars have wildly uneven doses: one quarter of a bar can floor you while the next does nothing
- Multi-day blackouts, falls, car accidents and assault risk
- Dependence within weeks; withdrawal can cause seizures and kills faster than opioid withdrawal
- Frequently found together with fentanyl in the same supply — respiratory depression stacks
✚Overdose signs
- Unrousable sleep that outlasts a normal dose by many hours
- Very slow or irregular breathing, especially mixed with opioids
- Cold, clammy skin; gurgling or snoring breath sounds
Category comparison — Benzodiazepines
| Substance | Class | Top risks | Street price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bromazolam | Not federally scheduled | The #1 novel benzodiazepine detected in counterfeit 'Xanax bars' in North America since 2023 — most users have no idea they're taking it; Pressed bars have wildly uneven doses: one quarter of a bar can floor you while the next does nothing | ~$2–$5 per pressed 'bar' |
| Diazepam | Schedule IV | Dependence in 2–4 weeks of daily use; Dangerous withdrawal (seizures) — never stop cold turkey | ~$1–$10 per 10 mg tablet |
| Alprazolam (Xanax 2 mg) | Schedule IV | Dependence within weeks; brutal withdrawal (seizures risk); Counterfeit 'bars' increasingly contain fentanyl or bromazolam | ~$2–$10 per 2 mg bar |
| Lorazepam (Ativan 2.5 mg) | Schedule IV | Dependence and withdrawal seizures; Rebound anxiety between doses | ~$1–$5 per 2.5 mg tablet |
| Clonazepam (Rivotril/Klonopin 2 mg) | Schedule IV | Long half-life — dependence builds silently; Withdrawal can last months | ~$1–$5 per 2 mg tablet |
| Nitrazepam (Nipam 5 mg) | Schedule IV | Morning 'hangover' impairment; Dependence and falls in older users | ~$1–$4 per 5 mg tablet |
Street prices are regional estimates. Potency and cuts vary constantly.
?Frequently asked questions
What does Bromazolam look like?
White to off-white powder, pressed into counterfeit Xanax/Valium bars or sold as pellets; active at 1–3 mg
What are the signs of a Bromazolam overdose?
Unrousable sleep that outlasts a normal dose by many hours; Very slow or irregular breathing, especially mixed with opioids; Cold, clammy skin; gurgling or snoring breath sounds Call emergency services immediately.
How addictive is it?
The #1 novel benzodiazepine detected in counterfeit 'Xanax bars' in North America since 2023 — most users have no idea they're taking it Withdrawal can be life-threatening — medical tapering is essential.