Drugs controlled by the UK Misuse of Drugs Act

These drugs are known in the UK as controlled drugs, because this is the term by which the act itself refers to them. In more general terms, however, many of these drugs are also controlled by the Medicines Act 1968, there are many other drugs which are controlled by the Medicines Act but not by the Misuse of Drugs Act, and some other drugs (alcohol, for example) are controlled by other laws.

The Misuse of Drugs Act sets out three separate categories, Class A, Class B, and Class C. Class A drugs represent those deemed most dangerous, and so carry the harshest punishments. Class C represents those thought to have the least capacity for harm, and so the Act demands more lenient punishment. In reality the potential harm has little bearing on the class, which has led to dissatisfaction with drug laws.

Being found in possession of a drug on this list is dealt with less seriously than would be if it were deemed that there is intent to supply (even without payment) the drug to others. Possession with intent to supply carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

With regard to lawful possession and supply, a different set of categories apply which are set out in the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 (as amended). This sets out five schedules each with their own restrictions. Schedule 1 contains substances considered by the government to have no medicinal value, such as hallucinogens, and their use is limited primarily to research, whereas schedules 2–5 contain the other regulated drugs. This means that although drugs may fall into the category of Class A/B/C, they may also fall into one of the schedules for legitimate medicinal use. For example, morphine is a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, but when lawfully supplied falls under the category of a Schedule 2 controlled drug.

Substances may be removed and added to different parts of the schedule by statutory instrument, provided a report of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs has been commissioned and has reached a conclusion, although the Secretary of State is not bound by the council's findings. This list has in practice been modified a great number of times, sometimes removing substances, but more commonly adding some; for example, many benzodiazepines became Class C drugs in 1985, and many cathinones became Class B drugs in 2010.

Glossary of terminology used in this list anabolic steroids – hormones that build muscle tissue benzodiazepines – a class of sedative/anxiolytic drugs cannabinoids – drugs that bind to cannabinoid receptors arylcyclohexamines – dissociatives which act on the NMDA receptors opioids – Drugs that bind to opioid receptors phenethylamines – psychedelics based on phenethylamine sedatives – drugs that lower arousal stimulants – drugs that heighten arousal tryptamines – psychedelics based on tryptamine

Class A drugs

1. The following substances, namely:—

(a)

Name as specified in the Act	Brand or street name	Drug type	Year added	Notes and comments
Acetorphine		opioid	1971	primarily used to sedate elephants, giraffes and rhinos
Alfentanil			1984
Allylprodine			1971
Alphacetylmethadol				synthetic
Alphameprodine
Alphamethadol
Alphaprodine
Anileridine
Benzethidine
Benzylmorphine
Betacetylmethadol
Betameprodine
Betamethadol
Betaprodine
Bezitramide	Burgodin
Bufotenin	Toad skin toxin	tryptamine		found in the skins of psychoactive toads, especially Bufo alvarius
Carfentanil	Wildnil	opioid	1986	Strongest known opioid; 10,000 times more potent than morphine, 100 times more potent than fentanyl. Used as a tranquilliser for large game (elephants etc.).
Clonitazene			1971
Coca leaf		Erythroxylum		the plant from which cocaine is derived
Cocaine	Coke, Crack, Rock, Charlie, Sniff, Snow, Packet, Blow, Whiff	Tropane alkaloid		one of the most widely used illicit drugs in the world
Desomorphine	Krokodil (Russian for crocodile)	opioid		Primarily used in Russia and Ukraine. Its full chemical name is dihydrodesoxymorphine.
Dextromoramide	Palfium
Diamorphine	Heroin, Smack, Dope, Black Tar			the world's most widely abused illicit opioid
Diampromide
Diethylthiambutene
Difenoxin	Roskies		1975
Dihydrocodeinone O-carboxymethyloxime			1971
Dihydroetorphine		opioid (see notes)	2003	Semi-synthetic opioid; derivative of etorphine
Dihydromorphine	Paramorphan	opioid	1971
Dimenoxadol
Dimepheptanol				an analogue of methadone
Dimethylthiambutene
Dioxaphetyl butyrate
Diphenoxylate
Dipipanone
Drotebanol			1973
Ecgonine		precursor	1971	"and any derivative of ecgonine which is convertible to ecgonine or to cocaine"
Ethylmethylthiambutene		opioid
Eticyclidine		arylcyclohexylamine	1984
Etonitazene		opioid	1971
Etorphine				1,000–3,000 times more potent than morphine, veterinary use only for large game
Etoxeridine
Etryptamine		Tryptamine	1998
Fentanyl	Actiq, Duragesic, Sublimaze	opioid	1971	Approximately 100 times the strength of morphine
Furethidine
Hydrocodone	Vicodin, Norco, Lortab
Hydromorphinol
Hydromorphone	Dilaudid, Palladone, Hymorphan, drug store heroin
Hydroxypethidine
Isomethadone				Simple positional isomer of Methadone
Ketobemidone
Levomethorphan
Levomoramide				the totally inactive isomer of dextromoramide
Levophenacylmorphan
Levorphanol	Levo-Dromoran
Lofentanil			1986
Lysergamide		ergoline	1971	a precursor to LSD
Lysergic acid diethylamide	LSD, acid			"Lysergide and other N-alkyl derivatives of lysergamide"
Mescaline	Mescal	phenethylamine		found naturally in types of cactus; cacti themselves not illegal
MDMA	Ecstasy (abbreviated E, X, or XTC), Molly (US), or Mandy (UK)		1977	not specifically named but covered by the ban of alkylenedioxy-substituted phenethylamines
MDA				not specifically named but covered by the ban of alkylenedioxy-substituted phenethylamines
Metazocine		opioid	1971
Methadone	Methadose, Dolophine			used in opioid replacement therapy to treat addiction
Methadyl acetate				used in treating opioid addiction, structurally related to methadone
Methamphetamine	Desoxyn, Crystal Meth, Meth, Ice, Glass, Tina, Crank, Gak, and others	stimulant	2006	moved from class B to class A in 2006
Methyldesorphine		opioid	1971
Methyldihydromorphine
Metopon
Moodeeta Basant Roi
Morphine				Derivative of the opium poppy and powerful painkiller
Morphine methobromide				"morphine N-oxide and other pentavalent nitrogen morphine derivatives"
Myrophine
Nicomorphine
Noracymethadol
Norlevorphanol
Normethadone
Normorphine
Norpipanone	Hexalgon	methadol
Opium	Laudanum, Pantopon	opioid mixture		milky secretion of the opium poppy – banned "whether raw, prepared or medicinal"
Oxycodone	OxyContin, Percocet	opioid		Widely used strong pain killer
Oxymorphone	Numorphan, Opana
Pethidine	Meperidine, Demerol, Dolantine
Phenadoxone
Phenampromide
Phenazocine				Discontinued in 2001
Phencyclidine	Angel Dust, PCP	arylcyclohexylamine	1979
Phenomorphan		opioid	1971
Phenoperidine
Piminodine
Piritramide	Dipidolor
Poppy-straw		Papaver somniferum		"Poppy-straw and concentrate of poppy-straw."
Proheptazine		opioid
Properidine
Psilocin		Tryptamine		Psychoactive ingredient found in most psychedelic mushrooms; includes the prodrug psilocybin.
Psilocybin mushroom	Magic Mushrooms, Shrooms	fungi	2005	"Fungus (of any kind) that contains psilocin or an ester of psilocin."
Racemethorphan		opioid mixture	1971	Racemic mixture of Dextromethorphan (DXM) and Levomethorphan
Racemoramide
Racemorphan
Remifentanil		opioid	2003	Strong painkiller; cannot be used without plasma infusion equipment
Rolicyclidine	PCPy	arylcyclohexylamine	1984	Very similar to phencyclidine (PCP)
Sufentanil	Sufenta	opioid	1983
Tenocyclidine	TCP	arylcyclohexylamine	1984	Very similar to phencyclidine (PCP), but considerably more potent
Tapentadol	Nucynta	opioid	2009	Dual action as a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
Thebacon	Acedicone		1971
Thebaine
Tilidate	Valtran		1983
Trimeperidine			1971
2,5-Dimethoxy-4-bromoamphetamine	DOB	phenethylamine	1975	a drug of the DOx family
4-Cyano-2-dimethylamino-4,4-diphenylbutane		opioid (see note)	1971	Methadone intermediate
4-Cyano-1-methyl-4-phenyl-piperidine				Intermediate chemical in generation of the opioid, Pethidine
N,N-Diethyltryptamine	DET, T-9	tryptamine
N,N-Dimethyltryptamine	DMT, Changa			Intense psychedelic drug
2,5-Dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine	DOM	phenethylamine		a drug of the DOx family.
N-Hydroxy-tenamphetamine	MDOH	stimulant	1990
1-Methyl-4-phenylpiperidine-4-carboxylic acid	Pethidinic acid	precursor	1971
2-Methyl-3-morpholino-1,1-diphenylpropanecarboxylic acid		opioid (see notes)		Converted in the body into the opioid Moramide
4-Methyl-aminorex	Ice	stimulant	1990
4-Methyl-5-(4-methylphenyl)-4,5-dihydrooxazol-2-amine	Serotoni, 4,4'-DMAR		2015
1-Cyclohexyl-4-(1,2-diphenylethyl)piperazine	MT-45	opioid
4-Phenylpiperidine-4-carboxylic acid ethyl ester	Norpethidine	opioid (see notes)	1971	Commonly used in the production of Pethidine, although it has little opioid activity in its own right

N.B. Sub-paragraphs (b) and (c) were added in 1977, sub-paragraphs (d) and (e) were added in 1986. Sub-paragraph (ba) was subsequently added in 2001.

(b) any compound (not being a compound for the time being specified in sub-paragraph (a) above) structurally derived from tryptamine or from a ring-hydroxy tryptamine by modification in any of the following ways, that is to say—

(i) by substitution at the nitrogen atom of the sidechain to any extent with alkyl or alkenyl substituents, or by inclusion of the nitrogen atom of the side chain (and no other atoms of the side chain) in a cyclic structure;

(ii) by substitution at the carbon atom adjacent to the nitrogen atom of the side chain with alkyl or alkenyl substituents;

(iii) by substitution in the 6-membered ring to any extent with alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, thioalkyl, alkylenedioxy, or halide substituents;

(iv) by substitution at the 2-position of the tryptamine ring system with an alkyl substituent;

(ba) the following phenethylamine derivatives, namely:—

(c) any compound (not being methoxyphenamine or a compound for the time being specified in sub-paragraph (a) above) structurally derived from phenethylamine an N-alkylphenethylamine, a methylphenethylamine, an N-alkyl-α-methylphenethylamine, an ethylphenethylamine, or an N-alkyl-α-ethylphenethylamine by substitution in the ring to any extent with alkyl, alkoxy, alkylenedioxy or halide substituents, whether or not further substituted in the ring by one or more other univalent substituents.

(d) any compound (not being a compound for the time being specified in sub-paragraph (a) above) structurally derived from fentanyl by modification in any of the following ways, that is to say,

(i) by replacement of the phenyl portion of the phenethyl group by any heteromonocycle whether or not further substituted in the heterocycle;

(ii) by substitution in the phenethyl group with alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, hydroxy, halogeno, haloalkyl, amino or nitro groups;

(iii) by substitution in the piperidine ring with alkyl or alkenyl groups;

(iv) by substitution in the aniline ring with alkyl, alkoxy, alkylenedioxy, halogeno or haloalkyl groups;

(v) by substitution at the 4-position of the piperidine ring with any alkoxycarbonyl or alkoxyalkyl or acyloxy group;

(vi) by replacement of the N-propionyl group by another acyl group;

(e) any compound (not being a compound for the time being specified in sub-paragraph (a) above) structurally derived from pethidine by modification in any of the following ways, that is to say,

(i) by replacement of the 1-methyl group by an acyl, alkyl whether or not unsaturated, benzyl or phenethyl group, whether or not further substituted;

(ii) by substitution in the piperidine ring with alkyl or alkenyl groups or with a propano bridge, whether or not further substituted;

(iii) by substitution in the 4-phenyl ring with alkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, halogeno or haloalkyl groups;

(iv) by replacement of the 4-ethoxycarbonyl by any other alkoxycarbonyl or any alkoxyalkyl or acyloxy group;

(v) by formation of an N-oxide or of a quaternary base.

(f) any compound (not being benzyl(α-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyphenethyl)amine) structurally derived from mescaline, 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxy-α-methylphenethylamine, 2,5-dimethoxy-α,4-dimethylphenethylamine, N-hydroxytenamphetamine (N-hydroxy-MDA), or a compound specified in sub-paragraph (ba) or (c) above, by substitution at the nitrogen atom of the amino group with a benzyl substituent, whether or not substituted in the phenyl ring of the benzyl group to any extent.”.

2. Any stereoisomeric form of a substance for the time being specified in paragraph 1 above not being dextromethorphan or dextrorphan.

3. Any ester or ether of a substance for the time being specified in paragraph 1 or 2 above [not being a substance for the time being specified in Part II of this Schedule].

4. Any salt of a substance for the time being specified in any of paragraphs 1 to 3 above.

5. Any preparation or other product containing a substance or product for the time being specified in any of paragraphs 1 to 4 above.

6. Any preparation designed for administration by injection which includes a substance or product for the time being specified in any of paragraphs 1 to 3 of Part II of this Schedule.

Class B drugs

1. The following substances, namely:—

(a)

Name as specified in the Act	Brand or street name	Drug type	Year added	Notes and comments
Acetyldihydrocodeine		opioid	1971
Amphetamine	Adderall, Speed	stimulant
Codeine	Purple drank, Lean, Wock	opioid		legal without prescription in quantities of up to 12.8 mg per dosage unit or 15 mg/5 ml in oral solution and only in combination with other drug. UK Codeine law
Cannabinol and derivatives		cannabinoid, psychedelic	2009	downgraded from class A to class C in 2004 and upgraded to class B in 2009 (Legalised for medicinal use in July 2018, and law excludes cannabidiol entirely)
Cannabis	Cannabis, Green, Hash, Marijuana, Pot, Puff, Gas, Bud, Skunk, Weed (among others)	cannabinoid, psychedelic		All cannabis varieties, including those grown as hemp, are controlled under the act, not just drug varieties Downgraded from class B to class C in 2004 and upgraded to class B in 2009
Dihydrocodeine	Paracodine, Synalgos DC	opioid	1971	legal in amounts up to 30 mg prescribed by doctor in tablet form and compounded with an adjunct non-opioid such as paracetamol.
Ethylmorphine	Codethyline
Glutethimide	Doriden	sedative	1985
Ketamine	Ketalar, Special K, Ket, Kenny, Kenneth, horse tranquilliser	sedative	2006, moved to class B in 2014	Used by Doctors on Air Ambulance duties to provide pain relief for serious or life-threatening injuries in extreme circumstances, when casualty sedation is required prior to a potential RSI.
Lefetamine		stimulant	1985
Lisdexamfetamine	Elvanse in the UK, Vyvanse in the US		2014
Mecloqualone		sedative	1984
a-Methylphenethylhydroxylamine			2001
Methaqualone	Ludes, Mandrake, Mandrax, Quaalude	sedative	1984
Methcathinone		stimulant	1998
Methoxetamine		dissociative	2013
4–Methylmethcathinone	MCAT, Mephedrone, Meow Meow, Bath Salts	stimulant	2010
Methylone	M1
Methylphenidate	Ritalin, Concerta		1971
Methylphenobarbitone		sedative	1984
Naphyrone	NRG-1	stimulant	2010
Nicocodeine		opioid	1971
Nicodicodine			1973
Norcodeine			1971
Pentazocine	Talwin, Fortal		1985
Phenmetrazine	Preludin	stimulant	1971
Pholcodine		opioid
Propiram			1973
Zipeprol			1998

(aa) Any compound (not being bupropion, cathinone, diethylpropion, pyrovalerone or a compound for the time being specified in sub–paragraph (a) above) structurally derived from 2–amino–1–phenyl–1–propanone by modification in any of the following ways, that is to say,

(i) by substitution in the phenyl ring to any extent with alkyl, alkoxy, alkylenedioxy, haloalkyl or halide substituents, whether or not further substituted in the phenyl ring by one or more other univalent substituents;

(ii) by substitution at the 3–position with an alkyl substituent;

(iii) by substitution at the nitrogen atom with alkyl or dialkyl groups, or by inclusion of the nitrogen atom in a cyclic structure

(ab) Any compound structurally derived from 2–aminopropan–1–one by substitution at the 1-position with any monocyclic, or fused‑polycyclic ring system (not being a phenyl ring or alkylenedioxyphenyl ring system), whether or not the compound is further modified in any of the following ways, that is to say,

(i) by substitution in the ring system to any extent with alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl or halide substituents, whether or not further substituted in the ring system by one or more other univalent substituents;

(ii) by substitution at the 3–position with an alkyl substituent;

(iii) by substitution at the 2‑amino nitrogen atom with alkyl or dialkyl groups, or by inclusion of the 2‑amino nitrogen atom in a cyclic structure

(b) any 5,5 disubstituted barbituric acid

(c) [2,3–Dihydro–5–methyl–3–(4–morpholinylmethyl)pyrrolo[1, 2, 3–de]–1,4–benzoxazin–6–yl]–1–naphthalenylmethanone. (WIN 55,212-2)

3–Dimethylheptyl–11–hydroxyhexahydrocannabinol.

[9–Hydroxy–6–methyl–3–[5–phenylpentan–2–yl] oxy–5, 6, 6a, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10a–octahydrophenanthridin–1–yl] acetate.

9-(Hydroxymethyl)–6, 6–dimethyl–3–(2–methyloctan–2–yl)–6a, 7, 10, 10a–tetrahydrobenzo[c]chromen–1–ol.

[2,3–Dihydro–5–methyl–3–(4–morpholinylmethyl)pyrrolo[1, 2, 3–de]–1,4–benzoxazin–6–yl]–1–naphthalenylmethanone.

Any compound structurally derived from 3–(1–naphthoyl)indole or 1H–indol–3–yl–(1–naphthyl)methane by substitution at the nitrogen atom of the indole ring by alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkylmethyl, cycloalkylethyl or 2–(4–morpholinyl)ethyl, whether or not further substituted in the indole ring to any extent and whether or not substituted in the naphthyl ring to any extent.

Any compound structurally derived from 3–(1–naphthoyl)pyrrole by substitution at the nitrogen atom of the pyrrole ring by alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkylmethyl, cycloalkylethyl or 2–(4–morpholinyl)ethyl, whether or not further substituted in the pyrrole ring to any extent and whether or not substituted in the naphthyl ring to any extent.

Any compound structurally derived from 1–(1–naphthylmethyl)indene by substitution at the 3–position of the indene ring by alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkylmethyl, cycloalkylethyl or 2–(4–morpholinyl)ethyl, whether or not further substituted in the indene ring to any extent and whether or not substituted in the naphthyl ring to any extent.

Nabilone

Any compound structurally derived from 3–phenylacetylindole by substitution at the nitrogen atom of the indole ring with alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkylmethyl, cycloalkylethyl or 2–(4–morpholinyl)ethyl, whether or not further substituted in the indole ring to any extent and whether or not substituted in the phenyl ring to any extent.

Any compound structurally derived from 2–(3–hydroxycyclohexyl)phenol by substitution at the 5–position of the phenolic ring by alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkylmethyl, cycloalkylethyl or 2–(4–morpholinyl)ethyl, whether or not further substituted in the cyclohexyl ring to any extent.";

Any compound structurally derived from 3-benzoylindole by substitution at the nitrogen atom of the indole ring by alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, cyanoalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, cycloalkylmethyl, cycloalkylethyl, (N-methylpiperidin-2-yl)methyl or 2–(4–morpholinyl)ethyl, whether or not further substituted in the indole ring to any extent and whether or not substituted in the phenyl ring to any extent.

Any compound structurally derived from 3-(1-adamantoyl)indole or 3-(2-adamantoyl)indole by substitution at the nitrogen atom of the indole ring by alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, cyanoalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, cycloalkylmethyl, cycloalkylethyl, (N-methylpiperidin-2-yl)methyl or 2–(4–morpholinyl)ethyl, whether or not further substituted in the indole ring to any extent and whether or not substituted in the adamantyl ring to any extent.

Any compound structurally derived from 3-(2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropylcarbonyl)indole by substitution at the nitrogen atom of the indole ring by alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, cyanoalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, cycloalkylmethyl, cycloalkylethyl, (N-methylpiperidin-2-yl)methyl or 2–(4–morpholinyl)ethyl, whether or not further substituted in the indole ring to any extent.

(ca) any compound (not being clonitazene, etonitazene, acemetacin, atorvastatin, bazedoxifene, indometacin, losartan, olmesartan, proglumetacin, telmisartan, viminol, zafirlukast or a compound for the time being specified in sub-paragraph (c) above) structurally related to 1-pentyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole (JWH-018), in that the four sub-structures, that is to say the indole ring, the pentyl substituent, the methanone linking group and the naphthyl ring, are linked together in a similar manner, whether or not any of the sub-structures have been modified, and whether or not substituted in any of the linked sub-structures with one or more univalent substituents and, where any of the sub-structures have been modified, the modifications of the sub-structures are limited to any of the following, that is to say—

(i) replacement of the indole ring with indane, indene, indazole, pyrrole, pyrazole, imidazole, benzimidazole, pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine, pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridine or pyrazolo[3,4‑b]pyridine;

(ii) replacement of the pentyl substituent with alkyl, alkenyl, benzyl, cycloalkylmethyl, cycloalkylethyl, (N-methylpiperidin-2-yl)methyl, 2-(4-morpholinyl)ethyl or (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)methyl;

(iii) replacement of the methanone linking group with an ethanone, carboxamide, carboxylate, methylene bridge or methine group;

(iv) replacement of the 1-naphthyl ring with 2-naphthyl, phenyl, benzyl, adamantyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylmethyl, cycloalkylethyl, bicyclo[2.2.1]heptanyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, 1-amino-1-oxopropan-2-yl, 1‑hydroxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, pyrrolidinyl, tetrahydropyranyl or piperazinyl.

(d) 1-Phenylcyclohexylamine or any compound (not being ketamine, tiletamine or a compound for the time being specified in paragraph 1(a) of Part 1 of this Schedule) structurally derived from 1-phenylcyclohexylamine or 2-amino-2-phenylcyclohexanone by modification in any of the following ways, that is to say,

(i) by substitution at the nitrogen atom to any extent by alkyl, alkenyl or hydroxyalkyl groups, or replacement of the amino group with a 1-piperidyl, 1-pyrrolidyl or 1-azepyl group, whether or not the nitrogen containing ring is further substituted by one or more alkyl groups;

(ii) by substitution in the phenyl ring to any extent by amino, alkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy or halide substituents, whether or not further substituted in the phenyl ring to any extent;

(iii) by substitution in the cyclohexyl or cyclohexanone ring by one or more alkyl substituents;

(iv) by replacement of the phenyl ring with a thienyl ring.

(e) Any compound (not being a compound for the time being specified in paragraph 1(ba) of Part 1 of this Schedule) structurally derived from 1-benzofuran, 2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran, 1H-indole, indoline, 1H-indene, or indane by substitution in the 6-membered ring with a 2-ethylamino substituent whether or not further substituted in the ring system to any extent with alkyl, alkoxy, halide or haloalkyl substituents and whether or not substituted in the ethylamino side-chain with one or more alkyl substituents.

2. Any stereoisomeric form of a substance for the time being specified in paragraph 1 of this Part of this Schedule.

3. Any salt of a substance for the time being specified in paragraph 1 or 2 of this Part of this Schedule.

4. Any preparation or other product containing a substance or product for the time being specified in any of paragraphs 1 to 3 of this Part of this Schedule, not being a preparation falling within paragraph 6 of Part I of this Schedule.

Class C drugs

1. Class C drugs, supposedly the least harmful drugs, include the following substances:—

(a)

Name as specified in the Act	Brand or street name	Drug type	When added	Notes and comments
Adinazolam	Deracyn	benzodiazepine	2017
Alprazolam	Xanax		1985
Aminorex		stimulant	1998
Benzphetamine	Didrex		1971	metabolised into amphetamine and methamphetamine
Bromazepam	Lexotan	benzodiazepine	1985
Brotizolam	Lendormin		1998
Buprenorphine	Subutex, Buprenex	opioid	1989	used for opioid replacement therapy to treat addiction
Camazepam		benzodiazepine	1985
Cathine		stimulant	1986	Khat (Catha edulis), the plant in which Cathine originates, is now also illegal in the UK
Cathinone				Khat (Catha edulis), the plant in which Cathinone originates, is now also illegal in the UK
Chlordiazepoxide	Librium	benzodiazepine	1985
Chlorphentermine	Apsedon	stimulant	1971
Clobazam	Frisium	benzodiazepine	1985
Clorazepic acid	Tranxène
Clonazepam	Rivotril, Klonopin
Clotiazepam	Clozan
Cloxazolam
Delorazepam
Dextropropoxyphene	Darvon, Depronal	opioid	1983
Diazepam	Valium	benzodiazepine	1985
Diethylpropion		stimulant	1984
Estazolam	ProSom	benzodiazepine	1985
Ethchlorvynol	Placidyl	sedative
Ethinamate
Etilamfetamine		stimulant	1986
Ethyl loflazepate		benzodiazepine	1985
Fencamfamine		stimulant	1971	Removed from the schedule in 1973, added to the schedule again in 1986
Fenethylline			1986
Fenproporex
Fludiazepam		benzodiazepine	1985
Flunitrazepam	Rohypnol
Flurazepam	Dalmane, Staurodorm
Gabapentin	Neurontin	Gabapentinoid	2019
gamma-Butyrolactone	GBL	sedative	2009	Metabolised to GHB in the body. Classified in December 2009
Halazepam		benzodiazepine	1985
Haloxazolam
4-Hydroxy-n-butyric acid	GHB	sedative	2003
Ketazolam		benzodiazepine	1985
Loprazolam	Dormonoct
Lorazepam	Ativan
Lormetazepam	Noctamid, Loramet
Mazindol		stimulant
Medazepam		benzodiazepine
Mefenorex		stimulant	1986	amphetamine derivative, metabolises to amphetamine
Mephentermine			1971
Meprobamate	Miltown	sedative	1985
Mesocarb		stimulant	1998	used to counteract the effects of benzodiazepines
Methyprylone		sedative	1985
Midazolam	Versed	benzodiazepine	1990
Nimetazepam			1985
Nitrazepam	Mogadon
Nordazepam	Calmday
Oxazepam	Seresta
Oxazolam
Pemoline		stimulant	1989
Phendimetrazine	Bontril		1971
Phentermine	Fastin, Ionamin		1985
Pinazepam		benzodiazepine
Pipradrol		stimulant	1971
Propylhexedrine			1971	legalised in 1995
Prazepam	Lysanxia	benzodiazepine	1985
Pregabalin	Lyrica	gabapentinoid	2019
Pyrovalerone		stimulant	1986
Temazepam	Restoril, jellies	benzodiazepine	1985	becomes class A when prepared for injection
Tetrazepam
Tramadol		opioid	2014	Also functions as a weak SNRI.
Triazolam	Halcion	benzodiazepine	1985
Zaleplon	Sonata	nonbenzodiazepine	2014
Zolpidem	Ambien		2003
Zopiclone	Imovane		2014

N.B. Sub-paragraphs (b), (c), (d) and (e) all refer to anabolic steroids that were banned in 1996 (unless referenced otherwise):

(b)

(c) any compound (not being Trilostane or a compound for the time being specified in sub-paragraph (b) above) structurally derived from 17-hydroxyandrostan-3-one or from 17-hydroxyestran-3-one by modification in any of the following ways, that is to say, (i) by further substitution at position 17 by a methyl or ethyl group; (ii) by substitution to any extent at one or more of positions 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11 or 16, but at no other position; (iii) by unsaturation in the carbocyclic ring system to any extent, provided that there are no more than two ethylenic bonds in any one carbocyclic ring; (iv) by fusion of ring A with a heterocyclic system;

(d) any substance which is an ester or ether (or, where more than one hydroxyl function is available, both an ester and an ether) of a substance specified in sub-paragraph (b) or described in sub-paragraph (c) above;

(e)

• Chorionic gonadotropin
• Clenbuterol
• Non-human chorionic gonadotrophin
• Somatotropin
• Somatrem
• Somatropin

(f) 1–benzylpiperazine or any compound (not being 1–(3–chlorophenyl)piperazine or 1–(3–chlorophenyl)–4–(3–chloropropyl)piperazine) structurally derived from 1–benzylpiperazine or 1–phenylpiperazine by modification in any of the following ways

(i) by substitution at the second nitrogen atom of the piperazine ring with alkyl, benzyl, haloalkyl or phenyl groups;

(ii) by substitution in the aromatic ring to any extent with alkyl, alkoxy, alkylenedioxy, halide or haloalkyl groups;

2. Any stereoisomeric form of a substance for the time being specified in paragraph 1 of this Part of this Schedule [not being phenylpropanolamine.]

3. Any salt of a substance for the time being specified in paragraph 1 or 2 of this Part of this Schedule.

4. Any preparation or other product containing a substance for the time being specified in any of paragraphs 1 to 3 of this Part of this Schedule.

Derivatives and analogues

The act contains several references to "derivatives" of compounds but the extent of this term is not fully clarified. Where unspecified it is thought to indicate derivatives which can be made from the specified compound in a single synthetic step, although such a definition would indicate that alkyllysergamide analogues would be uncontrolled. Where the derivatives are specified to be "structural derivatives" there is precedent that the statute applies whenever the structure could be converted to the specified derivatives in any number of synthetic steps.

See also

• Cannabis in the United Kingdom
• Controlled Drug in the United Kingdom
• Drug policy of the United Kingdom
• Drug-related deaths in the United Kingdom

 This article incorporates text published under the British Open Government Licence v3.0: To maintain the accuracy of the article, some of the text is copied directly from the legislation.

External links

• The text of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 – Office of Public Sector Information
• Schedules and structures of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 – Isomer Design
• Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 as amended