The tranquilizer drug identified as flualprazolam is quickly garnering widespread use in the far-reaching southern provinces of Thailand, assert the local governing authorities. This popular use of the drug springs from its detection in a particular variant of pills called nimetazepam, by Songkhla’s distinguished Regional Medical Sciences Centre 12. Alarmingly, this uncovers the initial penetration of the drug flualprazolam onto Thai shores.
The Regional Centre was commissioned by Thailand’s reputable Department of Medical Sciences, under the experienced leadership of director-general Supakit Sirilak, to critically scrutinize nimetazepam pills. Commonly referred to as Erimin 5, this drug sits under the category of Category 2 psychotropic drugs. During the scholarly analysis, the tranquilizer flualprazolam was found to be present in these pills.
Flualprazolam falls under the benzodiazepine class of tranquilizers that are predominantly used in therapy for panic disorders and insomnia, as well as in the mitigation of anxiety. Official documentations dating back to 2013 revealed several substances in Erimin 5mg, including nimetazepam, nitrazepam, phenazepam, diazepam, clozapine, and etizolam. A recent leap to 2021 unveils the discovery of flualprazolam in both Malaysia and Singapore.
Despite the illegal purview of Erimin 5 in Thai law, it is seeing rampant usage, particularly in Narathiwat, one of the four most southern provinces. This list also includes Pattani, Yala, and Songkhla. Director-general Supakit raised critical dialogue on the potential for Erimin 5 to be mixed with other substances, in an attempt to dodge legal repercussions.
He further highlighted that flualprazolam belongs to the synthetic benzodiazepine class, sharing a comparable chemical structure with the sedative alprazolam, a notable Category 2 psychotropic drug. While there exists no clinical research or prescription allowances for flualprazolam, Supakit theorizes from its chemical composition that users could experience its effects within a 10-30 minute window and potentially lasts between 6-14 hours.
On another related note, a few months earlier, a motorcycle courier was shocked to find a packet of the illegal anesthetic drug, ketamine, in what was supposed to be an empty mobile phone box parcel in Samut Prakan. For more fascinating stories, follow The Thaiger’s newest updates at our fresh Facebook page. Click HERE for the full account of the motorcycle courier’s unprecedented discovery.
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