Etizolam slows down messages between the brain and the body. It can make you feel calm.
Etizolam usually comes as tablets. In rare cases, it comes sprayed on paper.
Etizolam is a type of medicine related to benzodiazepines. But it is not available as a medicine in Ireland. Doctors in Ireland do not prescribe etizolam.
Etizolam can be sold in the illegal drug market as benzodiazepines. This means that people may not know they are taking etizolam.
Drug category: depressant
Depressants slow down messages between your brain and body. They can make you feel relaxed and drowsy. They also affect your breathing, memory and coordination.
Other names for etizolam
Other names include: etiz, street benzos, street valium
Effects of etizolam
The effects of etizolam can vary depending on:
- your size, weight and sex
- if you have any health conditions or mental health difficulties
- how you take the drug
- the strength of the drug
- how much you take
- if you take alcohol, medicines or other drugs at the same time
- where you take the drug and how you feel before you take it
- if you have taken the drug before and how often
The effects start after about 15 to 40 minutes and can last between 3 and 7 hours.
The effects may be different each time you use etizolam. This is because the strength and contents of pills can vary, even in the same batch.
How you may feel or behave
You may feel:
- calm or relaxed
- drowsy, forgetful or confused
- happy
- aggressive
- anxious - if you continue to use it often
Effects on your brain and body
Etizolam slows down your thinking, heart rate and breathing.
It can also cause:
- nausea (feeling sick)
- short-term memory loss
- tiredness
- mood swings
- problems controlling your body
- loss of consciousness
- seizures (fits)
Etizolam and mental health
If you are worried about your mental health, there are treatments that focus on the cause of mental health difficulties. For example, counselling or talk therapy.
Etizolam and dependency
Regular use of etizolam may cause:
- tolerance - you need to take more to get the same effects
- dependency
Signs of dependency can include:
- cravings for a drug
- withdrawal symptoms
- continuing to use a drug even when it causes you harm
Withdrawal symptoms
If you stop taking etizolam after regular use, you may get withdrawal symptoms.
These can include:
- anxiety
- low mood or depression
- tiredness
- sleep problems
If you want to stop taking etizolam, you can get support from:
- your GP or practice nurse
- a pharmacist
- a drug service
How long does etizolam stay in your system?
It can be hard to know how long etizolam stays in your system.
There are tests to detect etizolam. But different types of tests have different detection times.
Things that affect how long a drug stays in your system
The time it takes for a drug to leave your system depends on many things.
For example:
- how much you took
- how often you take the drug
- how strong the drug was
- your age, sex and metabolism
- your general health
Reducing risks from etizolam
It’s always safest not to take drugs or medicines that are not prescribed to you.
Benzodiazepines (benzos) sold in the illegal drug market in Ireland can contain etizolam. This can happen even if they are packaged like a medicine.
There are ways to reduce the risk of harm if you take etizolam or benzos without medical advice. Select a piece of advice to find out more.
Consider if there is extra risk for you - such as health conditions or how you feel.
There are always risks if you use drugs. But some people may be more at risk than others.
If you or someone in your family has any health conditions or mental health difficulties, you may be more at risk of a drug emergency.
For example, if you have:
- breathing problems such as asthma or sleep apnoea
- liver problems
It can be hard to know your level of risk. Some people have health conditions and do not know it.
If you feel low, anxious or stressed, you are more at risk of a negative or challenging experience.
Be with people you trust and look out for each other - do not use alone.
Pick a meeting point and know what to do in case of an emergency.
Use a buddy system if possible.
Prepare a plan with your buddy on what to do in case of an emergency.
This may be that you both agree to:
- learn the signs of an overdose
- use naloxone in an opioid emergency
- call the emergency services
- stay with the other person until help arrives
Start with a small amount and wait 2 hours before you take more.
This is to reduce the risk of an overdose or drug emergency. The contents or strength of drugs can vary, even in the same batch.
If you start with a small amount, you can:
- see how you react
- stop if you get an effect you did not expect or do not want
For example, a quarter of a pill.
It can take up to 2 hours for some effects to happen. If you take too much too soon, it increases your risk.
Only use 1 substance at a time.
Using etizolam with alcohol, medicines or other drugs can have unpredictable and negative effects. Mixing drugs is always more risky.
Consider less risky ways of using if you inject etizolam or benzos.
Tablets contain ingredients to hold the tablet together or add bulk. These ingredients can cause damage or infections in your veins, heart or lungs.
Sleep on your side after using.
This is to reduce the risk of choking on your vomit.
Etizolam can make you:
- get sick (vomit)
- feel drowsy or lose consciousness
If you are with someone who took etizolam, put them on their side.
Find safe ways to cope with comedowns.
Using drugs or alcohol to cope with comedowns can make you feel worse.
Try to:
- get enough sleep or rest
- eat well
- keep in contact with friends and check if they are OK too
- talk to someone you trust about how you feel if you had a negative experience or witnessed something that worries you
- do some light activity, such as a walk - it releases chemicals in your brain that improve your mood (endorphins)
- do some relaxation exercises to manage stress, anxiety and worry
- take regular breaks from drugs and alcohol
- get medical advice if you have thoughts or feelings that worry you
Plan a safe way to get home.
It is dangerous to drive if drugs are in your system. You could harm yourself or other people. A drug can still be in your system even if you do not feel the effects.
Think about your sexual health.
Etizolam or benzos can reduce your inhibitions. There are things you can do to look after yourself and your partners if you could have sex when you take drugs.
Know what to do in case of a drug emergency.
If you take any kind of drug, it is important to know:
- signs of a drug emergency, including signs related to mental health
- what to do in case of overdose or other emergencies
An overdose can be a life-threatening condition. It happens when someone has too much of a drug or another substance in their system.
Getting help can prevent serious damage or death. Your wellbeing is the main priority.
Mixing etizolam with alcohol or other drugs
Using etizolam with alcohol, medicines or other drugs can have unpredictable and negative effects.
If you mix etizolam with substances that slow down messages between the brain and the body, it increases your risk of overdose and death.
For example, if you mix etizolam or benzos with:
- alcohol
- opioids such as heroin
- methadone
- G (GHB or GBL)
Emergency action required: Call 112 or 999 if
you or someone else has taken etizolam and has:
- problems breathing
- problems with coordination, reflexes or speaking
- severe drowsiness or loses consciousness
- blue or grey lips or fingertips
- cold and clammy skin
- severe distress, confusion or panic - they cannot calm down and may be a danger to themselves or others
- thoughts of suicide
Stay with the person until help arrives.
Tell the medics everything you know about the drug and give them any leftover drug if possible. It will help them decide the right treatment.
If you are worried about etizolam use
If you are worried about your own or someone else’s use, you can get support. This can be when etizolam use affects your health, relationships, work or other areas of your life.
Non-urgent advice: Drugs and alcohol helpline
You can contact the helpline for support, information or advice on treatment and support options.
Freephone: 1800 459 459
Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm
Email: helpline@hse.ie