The "date rape" drug is the common name for Rohypnol, generically called flunitrazepam. Rohypnol is manufactured by Hoffman-La Roche and prescribed as a sleeping pill in countries outside of the United States. It is used as a short-term treatment for insomnia, as a sedative hypnotic and a pre-anesthetic. It has physiological effects similar to Valium (diazepam), but is approximately ten times more potent. It is used also as an illicit drug, often in combination with other drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, and alcohol. Common names for Rohypnol include the following: rophies, roofies, R2, roofenol, Roche, roachies, la rocha, rope, rib, circles, Mexican valium, roach-2, roopies, and ropies

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Since about 1990, GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) has been abused in the U.S. for euphoric, sedative, and anabolic (body-building) effects. GHB use associated with sexual assault has surpassed Rohypnol use associated with sexual assault.

Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is an illicit chemical that has become a major cause of drug-related comas in the US and other countries. In fact, the number of GHB overdoses in the United States has now out-paced overdoses from MDMA (Ecstasy). GHB was rejected by the American medical community in the 1960s, but has become popular among many people for its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier freely and depress consciousness, resulting in euphoria and intoxication. It is also touted on the Internet as a sleep aid, an anti-depressant and weight loss product, although these uses are not substantiated by reality and may carry a potentially deadly twist.