A drug often referred to as “designer Xanax” is now banned nationwide after the Drug Enforcement Administration took emergency action this week to classify the substance as illegal.
The drug, bromazolam, is a synthetic benzodiazepine commonly found in counterfeit Xanax pills and has been linked to a growing number of overdoses across the country.
Under the DEA’s emergency scheduling order, bromazolam is now classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act, meaning it has no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. The designation places strict federal controls on the drug, making it illegal to manufacture, distribute, possess or research without proper authorization.
“The emergency scheduling of bromazolam is a decisive step to get ahead of a rapidly evolving threat. We will not wait for more lives to be put at risk,” said DEA Assistant Administrator Cheri Oz of the Diversion Control Division.
The move follows increasing concern from law enforcement and public health officials. The DEA says bromazolam has become one of the most frequently identified benzodiazepines in illicit drug seizures analyzed by its laboratory systems.
Late last year, Emily’s Hope reported on a DEA warning about emerging synthetic drugs, including bromazolam, highlighting its growing presence in the illegal drug supply.
“This action closes dangerous gaps, disrupts access, and gives law enforcement and public health partners the tools they need to respond,” Oz said.
In 2025, a coalition of 21 state attorneys general urged the DEA to take action against the drug, citing cases where large quantities of bromazolam pills were intercepted but were difficult to prosecute without proper scheduling.
“Here is just one example of the threat to Kentucky. Earlier this year, the NKDSF and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service interdicted a suspicious parcel shipped from Miami, Florida, to Latonia, Kentucky. That one parcel contained 958 pills that were later confirmed to be bromazolam. Without proper scheduling of the “designer Xanax” pills, law enforcement could not adequately charge those responsible for pouring the drugs into Kentucky,” the letter reads.
Bromazolam has never been approved for medical use in the United States or any other country.
Health officials warn the drug can cause serious side effects, including slurred speech, loss of coordination, altered mental state and slowed or stopped breathing. Authorities are particularly concerned about its use alongside opioids, which can significantly increase the risk of overdose as the nation continues to grapple with the opioid crisis.
