Changes

Drugs and other materials regulated by the Controlled Substances Act are called '''controlled substances'''. Some controlled substances are not drugs but are used to make other controlled substances which are. For example, thebaine is used to make hydrocodone, oxymorphone, and other opioid medications. Drugs which are controlled substances use abbreviated markings, such as schedule II controlled substances marked C-II.

Drugs and other materials regulated by the Controlled Substances Act are called '''controlled substances'''. Some controlled substances are not drugs but are used to make other controlled substances which are. For example, thebaine is used to make hydrocodone, oxymorphone, and other opioid medications. Drugs which are controlled substances use abbreviated markings, such as schedule II controlled substances marked C-II.

Because a CSA schedule includes legal use does not mean that each substance (drug) listed in that schedule is approved and legal in the United States. ''Rohypnol'' (flunitrazepam) is a schedule IV drug that is unapproved and illegal in the US. An uncontrolled drug may later become a controlled substance, such as tramadol (''Ultram'') and modafinil (''Provigil'') being placed in schedule IV. Similarly controlled drugs may be rescheduled, such as hydrocodone (''Lortab'', ''Vicodin'') moved from schedule III to schedule II, or dronabinol (''Marinol'') moved from schedule II to schedule III. Some controlled substance may be approved for veterinary but not human use, such as the potent opioid etorphin, used to tranquilize large mammals like elephants.

Because a CSA schedule includes legal use does not mean that each substance (drug) listed in that schedule is approved and legal in the United States. ''Rohypnol'' (flunitrazepam) is a schedule IV drug that is unapproved and illegal in the US; however, it is a benzodiazepine and other members of this drug class are approved and legal, such as diazepam (''Valium'') and alprozolam (''Xanax''). An uncontrolled drug may later become a controlled substance, such as tramadol (''Ultram'') and modafinil (''Provigil'') being placed in schedule IV. Similarly controlled drugs may be rescheduled, such as hydrocodone (''Lortab'', ''Vicodin'') moved from schedule III to schedule II, or dronabinol (''Marinol'') moved from schedule II to schedule III. Some controlled substance may be approved for veterinary but not human use, such as the potent opioid etorphin, used to tranquilize large mammals like elephants.

Some states place controlled drugs into more restricted schedules, that is, reschedule them.

Some states place controlled drugs into more restricted schedules, that is, reschedule them.