Rohypnol is the brand name for a prescription benzodiazepine known as flunitrazepam. This medication is not approved for use in the United States, however, in other countries, it is used as an anti-anxiety or insomnia drug.[1]

While Rohypnol is not used medicinally in America, the drug does exist in illicit markets. Because of its sedative-hypnotic effects, it is commonly referred to as the “date rape” drug. People may slip Rohypnol into someone’s drink to take advantage of them without being caught.

It is most common for people to ingest Rohypnol unknowingly. On the other hand, some people might abuse it intentionally. Abusing Rohypnol can lead to severe addiction and increase your risk of experiencing a life-threatening overdose.

If you believe that you were drugged with Rohypnol, knowing how long it stays in your system can be helpful. While the effects of Rohypnol only last around eight hours, it can remain in your system for up to seven days.[2]

How Long Do the Effects of Rohypnol Last?

Rohypnol acts similarly on the brain as other benzodiazepines, slowing down activity in the central nervous system. As a result, people who abuse Rohypnol might feel drowsy, and sleepy, and experience amnesia while they are under the influence. The reason many people use Rohypnol as a “date rape drug” is because of the amnesia it can cause.

The effects of Rohypnol will begin 20 to 30 minutes after administration and last for up to 8 hours. These effects include:[1]

• Drowsiness or sedation
• Decreased anxiety
• Amnesia
• Changes in reaction time
• Impaired mental functioning
• Confusion
• Aggression or excitability
• Muscle relaxation
• Loss of coordination
• Weakness
• Headaches
• Respiratory depression

If you or a loved one abuses Rohypnol intentionally, you should know that the drug can be highly addictive. Using Rohypnol long-term can lead to addiction, dependency, and an increased risk of life-threatening overdoses.

How Long Does Rohypnol Stay in Your System?

A drug’s half-life describes how long it takes your body to eliminate half of a substance. It can take 4 to 5 half-lives for a drug to be completely ridden from your body. The half-life of Rohypnol is between 14 to 18 hours, which means it can take up to 90 hours for the substance to leave your system.[3]

While Rohypnol can be out of your system within 90 hours, the drug leaves behind metabolites in your system that can be detected longer. This is what drug tests look for to determine if you have recently consumed Rohypnol.

It is important to note that standardized drug tests do not detect Rohypnol and a specialized drug panel must be used. Each type of drug test can detect the substance for a varied amount of time.

Urine

Urine tests are the most commonly used drug tests as they are minimally invasive and relatively inexpensive. Specialized urine panels can detect Rohypnol for up to 5 days after your last dose. If an extremely high dose was used, it may be detectable for up to 10 days.

Blood

Blood tests are not used as frequently as urine tests because they are invasive and provide a shorter window of detection. However, they may be used in hospital settings to determine if Rohypnol is contributing to your systems. Blood tests can detect Rohypnol for up to 24 hours after the last dose.

Hair

Hair tests can detect any substance in your system for up to 90 days after you last used it. Unfortunately, these tests are not common because they can be expensive to send off to the lab.

Factors that Affect How Long Rohypnol Stays in Your System

The exact amount of time that Rohypnol stays in a person’s system can vary depending on a wide range of personal factors. For example, someone who has been using Rohypnol consistently for several months will test positive longer than a first-time user.

Other factors that influence how long Rohypnol stays in your system include:

• The dose of Rohypnol you used
• How frequently do you take Rohypnol
• How fast your metabolism is
• Your weight and sex
• The health of your liver and kidneys
• Whether you consumed other substances

While personal factors can influence how long a substance stays in your body, there is no legitimate way to flush a drug out of your body faster. The only way to ensure you pass a drug test is to refrain from substance abuse.

Find Help for Rohypnol Abuse and Addiction

If you or a loved one regularly abuses Rohypnol, it’s time to seek help. Rohypnol abuse can lead to addiction, which can negatively impact almost every area of your life. Thankfully, drug rehab programs can provide you with the tools and support you need to achieve long-term sobriety.

Moving Mountains Recovery uses a holistic and individualized approach to recovery to help each client embrace a sober lifestyle. We are committed to clinical excellence, which is why every client receives a custom-tailored treatment program that is uniquely designed by our clinical and medical team to meet his or her needs.

To learn more about our addiction treatment programs, contact Moving Mountains Recovery Center today.

References:

1. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): Rohypnol, Retrieved December 2023 From https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/rohypnol
2. Lifecentre: Date Rape Information, Retrieved December 2023 From https://lifecentre.uk.com/drug-rape-information/
3. Science Direct: Flunitrazepam, Retrieved December 2023 From https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/flunitrazepam