Anti-anxiety drugs classed C

Three anti-anxiety drugs are to be classified as class C, the Home Office has said.

Flualprazolam, flunitrazolam and norfludiazepam, which are benzodiazepines, will be controlled as class C drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, crime and policing minister Kit Malthouse said.

They are sedative and antianxiety drugs used clinically for the treatment of anxiety, insomnia, muscle spasms and epilepsy, but can be misused in a number of ways and are often taken with other illicit drugs to increase their effect.

High doses may cause loss of consciousness and breathing difficulties, especially if used in combination with alcohol or other sedatives.

As of March, there had been 12 flualprazolam-associated deaths in the UK. Possession of these drugs will be classed as an offence carrying a maximum sentence of two years’ imprisonment.