Introduction: What is Fluclotizolam?

On average, one new synthetic drug comes to market each week. Most of these drugs are manufactured in China and shipped to the United States. It is a continuation of China’s Gray Zone Warfare against the United States. Fluclotizolam formal name is 2-chloro-4-(2-fluorophenyl)-9-methyl-6H-thieno[3,2-f][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a][1,4]diazepine and is the latest drug causing us problems. It is classified as a novel benzodiazepine, which are central nervous system depressants. Novel benzodiazepines, typically defined as emergent benzodiazepines not used medicinally, are often pirated from early drug discovery or pharmaceutical studies. Novel benzodiazepines have appeared on illicit drug markets in recent years and have caused adverse events, including death. Fluclotizolam was first synthesized in 1979, but it was never marketed. In 2017, it was identified and began being sold on the internet. Recently, Fluclotizolam began appearing in crime labs. Fluclotizolam also shares structural similarities with etizolam, which we have written about a few times before. 

Fluclotizolam was mentioned in a 1974 patent on thienotriazolodiazepines. There is no data about clinical, pharmacological or toxicological properties. Fluclotizolam is not currently controlled under the 1971 United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances or the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. As of this publication date, the drug is not scheduled under the US Controlled Substances Act. 

Fluclotizolam was firstly seized in 94 pale green tablets by Swedish police in Gällivare, on 26 October 2017. It was also identified in 10 blotters seized by Danish customs at the Copenhagen International Post Office on 25 October 2017. There is no information available on the pharmacology and toxicology of this substance, as there are no published reports so far. Based on its chemical structure and similarity to brotizolam and etizolam, the substance is expected to have sedative-hypnotic effects.

Dose/Duration/Potency/Appearance

Fluclotizolam will appear as a white powder. From samples I’ve seen, it almost looks like flour. I have also seen samples that come in a liquid format in an eye dropper type container. A Simple google search of the term Fluclotizolam will yield a number of photos from Chinese manufacturers and from users posting their drug online. 

Knowing the dose of a specific drug and the duration is important for criminal justice professionals. You’ll need to know this information investigating or prosecuting driving under the influence cases as well as drug sales cases. There is not a lot of information on Fluclotizolam, but I did find a user centric web site that listed dose and duration stats. According to TripSit, a light dose orally is 250ug. Ug is shorthand for microgram. Tripsit goes on to state that a common dose is 250-500 ug, a strong dose is 500-750 ug, and a heavy dose is 750+ ug. 

When it comes to the duration of Fluclotizolam, the effects will be felt within 10-30 minutes. It may last for 3-6 hours and the after effects can last up to 14 hours. Of course, all of this is dependent upon the person’s weight, age, use of other drugs concurrently, etc. There are conflicting anecdotal reports on its dosage, though claims have been made that it has an approximately 3-fold higher potency and a shorter lifespan, compared to etizolam. 

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Fluclotizolam?

Understanding the signs and symptoms of this drug is important. To prove a DUI case, you’ll need to show signs and symptoms in your report. For a sales case or a possession case, I like to show that the person had signs and symptoms of the drug to show they had knowledge of the drug (sometimes knowledge is an element of the crime). People under the influence of this drug can be expected to display signs and symptoms that are seen in the CNS Depressant category of drugs. This includes horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN), vertical gaze nystagmus (VGN), lack of convergence (LOC), and lowered vitals including a slow pulse and low blood pressure. People will appear to be drowsy with intoxication mimicking alcohol intoxication. 

Analysis of Drug Trend

An online search of Fluclotizolam finds that the average price of a gram is $90. This is pretty expensive for a drug in this category. Some of the reasons that a user will take Fluclotizolam include experimentation and being able to use the drug without fear of arrest from authorities. Another reason they may take this drug is to avoid workplace drug testing. Not many labs will be testing for this drug in standard workplace drug testing screens. 

With that said, one of you will run across this in a call for service and it is important to know as much as you can about this drug. It won’t be the most popular drug on the market, but it will cause a problem for some jurisdictions as it becomes more available.