Practitioner's Guide to Designer Drugs

A. Benzodiazepines - Analogues of commonly-used GABA allosteric modulators like Xanax (Alprazolam) and Valium (Diazepam). Several of the compounds listed below are patented and perscribed in countries outside the US while not being regulated by American agencies at this time.

1. Etizolam - Active at 0.5mg. Technically a thienodiazepine (sulfur
instead of benzene ring), Etizolam has effects closer to that of benzodiazepines than that of other thienodiazepines (such as the antipsychotic Zyprexa). It is commonly sold over the internet as powder or pressed into pellets of various colors. Used medicinally in India and Japan. There is evidence that it can increase prolactin levels. It is a risk factor for blepharospasms. Considered to be recreationally desirable. Still legal in the USA as of January 21, 2016.

2. Flubromazepam - Active at 4mg. Considered to be recreationally desirable.

3. Diclazepam (chlorodiazepam) - Active at 0.5mg

4. Pyrazolam - Active at 0.5mg

5. Phenazepam - Active at 0.5mg. Discovered in Russia and still used
as a sedative there to this day. Has a half-life of 36 hours. Generally not preferred for recreation. Found in smoke blends in June 2011 in New Zealand.

6. Premazepam - active at 7.5mg.

7. Meclonazepam - has sedative/anxiolytic effects comparable to that
of other benzos, in addition to having anti-parasitic effects
against the parasitic worm Schistosoma mansoni.

8. Flubromazolam - Triazolam derivative.

9. Flutazolam(Coreminal,MS-4101)-Similar in
potency to diazepam. Does not appear to be very popular with online vendors.
10. Flutoprazepam (Restas) - Patented in Japan in 1972.
Approximately 4x the potency of diazepam by weight and has a half-life of 60-90 hours due to active metabolites.

B. Qualones - Derivatives of Methaqualone (Quaaludes).
1. Methylmethaqualone - Active at 20mg. Causes seizures at high
doses.
2. Etaqualone - Active at 300mg.
3. Mebroqualone - active at 15mg sublingual.
4. Mecloqualone - half-life of 2 days. Illegal in the USA.

C. Barbiturates
1. Benzylbutylbarbiturate (5-benzyl-5-(n)-butylbarbituric acid)

D. GHB derivatives
1. GVL (gamma-valerolacetone) - pro-drug for GHB and 4-methyl- GHB.[136]
2. GHV (gamma-hydroxyvaleric acid) - more toxic than GHB.[135]
3. 1,4-B (1,4-Butanediol) - pro-drug for GHB. Associated with a death. [137]

E. Alcohol derivatives
1. 2-Methyl-2-Butanol (2M2B, TAA, tert-Amyl Alcohol)

F. Miscellaneous
1. CL-218,872 (3-methyl-6-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]- [1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-f]pyridazine) – Discovered on some adulterated incense blends in June 2012. Has effects similar to benzodiazepines, but is more structurally similar to cannabinoids.