Drugs controlled by the UK Misuse of Drugs Act

Drugs controlled by the United Kingdom (UK) Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 are listed in this article.

These drugs are usually known in the UK as controlled drugs, because they are such by the meaning given to that term by the act itself. In more general terms, however, many of these drugs are also controlled by the Medicines Act 1968, and there are many other drugs which are controlled by the Medicines Act but not by the Misuse of Drugs Act.

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 to harm, and so the Act demands more lenient punishment. 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 the drug to others. Possession with intent to supply carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Punishment, however, is increasingly being seen as outdated, and the Government is gradually working towards a focus on harm reduction instead.

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 modified a great number of times, sometimes removing substances, but more commonly adding some; for example, many benzodiazepines became Class C drugs in 1985.

Glossary of terminology used in this list anabolic steroids — hormones that build muscle tissue benzodiazepines — sedatives with calming properties cannabinoids — drugs that bind to cannabinoid receptors hallucinogens — drugs that alter perception of reality opioids — sedatives that relieve pain (but are highly addictive) phenethylamines — hallucinogens based on phenethylamine sedatives — drugs that lower consciousness stimulants — drugs that heighten consciousness tryptamines — hallucinogens based on tryptamine

Class A drugs

1. The following substances, namely:—

(a)

Name as specified in the Act	Predominant street name	Drug type	When added	Notes and comments
Acetorphine		opioid	1971	primarily used to sedate elephants, giraffes and rhinos
Alfentanil		opioid	1984
Allylprodine		opioid	1971
Alphacetylmethadol		?	1971
Alphameprodine		opioid	1971
Alphamethadol		opioid	1971
Alphaprodine		opioid	1971
Anileridine		opioid	1971
Benzethidine		opioid	1971
Benzylmorphine		opioid	1971
Betacetylmethadol		?	1971
Betameprodine		opioid	1971
Betamethadol		opioid	1971
Betaprodine		opioid	1971
Bezitramide		opioid	1971
Bufotenine	Toad	tryptamine	1971	found in the psychoactive toads
Carfentanil		opioid	1986
Clonitazene		opioid	1971
Coca leaf		Erythroxylum	1971	the plant from which cocaine is derived
Cocaine	coke	stimulant	1971	one of the most widely used illicit drugs in the world
Desomorphine		opioid	1971
Dextromoramide		opioid	1971
Diamorphine	heroin	opioid	1971	derivative of the opium poppy
Diampromide		opioid	1971
Diethylthiambutene		opioid	1971
Difenoxin		opioid	1975
Dihydrocodeinone O-carboxymethyloxime		opioid	1971
Dihydroetorphine			2003
Dihydromorphine		opioid	1971
Dimenoxadole		?	1971
Dimepheptanol		opioid	1971	an analogue of methadone
Dimethylthiambutene		opioid	1971
Dioxaphetyl butyrate		opioid	1971
Diphenoxylate		opioid	1971
Dipipanone		opioid	1971
Drotebanol		opioid	1973
Ecgonine		precursor	1971	"and any derivative of ecgonine which is convertible to ecgonine or to cocaine"
Ethylmethylthiambutene		opioid	1971
Eticyclidine		hallucinogen	1984
Etonitazene		opioid	1971
Etorphine		opioid	1971
Etoxeridine		opioid	1971
Etryptamine		tryptamine	1998
Fentanyl		opioid	1971	81 times more potent than morphine
Furethidine		opioid	1971
Hydrocodone	vicodin	opioid	1971
Hydromorphinol		opioid	1971
Hydromorphone		opioid	1971
Hydroxypethidine		opioid	1971
Isomethadone		?	1971
Ketobemidone		opioid	1971
Levomethorphan		opioid	1971
Levomoramide		opioid	1971	the totally inactive isomer of dextromoramide
Levophenacylmorphan		opioid	1971
Levorphanol		opioid	1971
Lofentanil		opioid	1986
Lysergamide		ergoline	1971	a precursor to LSD
Lysergic acid diethylamide	LSD, acid	ergoline	1971	"Lysergide and other N-alkyl derivatives of lysergamide"
Mescaline	mescaline	phenethylamine	1971	found naturally in the peyote cactus
Metazocine		opioid	1971
Methadone	methadone	opioid	1971
Methadyl acetate		opioid	1971	used in treating opioid addiction, structurally related to methadone
Methamphetamine	crystal meth	stimulant	2006	moved from class B to class A in 2006
Methyldesorphine		opioid	1971
Methyldihydromorphine		opioid	1971
MDMA	ecstasy	stimulant	1977
Metopon		opioid	1971
Morpheridine		opioid	1971
Morphine	morphine	opioid	1971	widely used clinical painkiller
Morphine methobromide		?	1971	"morphine N-oxide and other pentavalent nitrogen morphine derivatives"
Myrophine		opioid	1971
Nicomorphine		opioid	1971
Noracymethadol		?	1971
Norlevorphanol		?	1971
Normethadone		opioid	1971
Normorphine		opioid	1971
Norpipanone		?	1971
Opium	opium	opioid mixture	1971	milky secretion of the opium poppy - banned "whether raw, prepared or medicinal"
Oxycodone	OC, OxyCotton	opioid	1971
Oxymorphone		opioid	1971
Pethidine		opioid	1971
Phenadoxone		opioid	1971
Phenampromide		opioid	1971
Phenazocine		opioid	1971
Phencyclidine	angel dust, PCP (getting wet)	hallucinogen	1979
Phenomorphan		opioid	1971
Phenoperidine		opioid	1971
Piminodine		opioid	1971
Piritramide		opioid	1971
Poppy-straw		Papaver somniferum	1971	"Poppy-straw and concentrate of poppy-straw."
Proheptazine		opioid	1971
Properidine		opioid	1971
Psilocin		tryptamine	1971	found in most psychedelic mushrooms
Psilocybe mushrooms	magic mushrooms	fungi	2005	"Fungus (of any kind) which contains psilocin or an ester of psilocin."
Racemethorphan		opioid mixture	1971
Racemoramide		opioid mixture	1971
Racemorphan		opioid mixture	1971
Remifentanil			2003
Rolicyclidine		hallucinogen	1984
Sufentanil		opioid	1983
Tenocyclidine		hallucinogen	1984
Thebacon		opioid	1971
Thebaine		opioid	1971
Tilidate		opioid	1983
Trimeperidine		opioid	1971
4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxy-a-methylphenethylamine	2C-B	phenethylamine	1975	a drug of the 2C family
4-Cyano-2-dimethylamino-4,4-diphenylbutane		?	1971
4-Cyano-1-methyl-4-phenyl-piperidine		?	1971
N,N-Diethyltryptamine		tryptamine	1971
N,N-Dimethyltryptamine		tryptamine	1971
2,5-Dimethoxy-a,4-dimethylphenethylamine	2C-D	phenethylamine	1971	a drug of the 2C family
N-Hydroxy-tenamphetamine		?	1990
1-Methyl-4-phenylpiperidine-4-carboxylic acid		precursor	1971
2-Methyl-3-morpholino-1		?	1971
1-diphenylpropanecarboxylic acid		?	1971
4-Methyl-aminorex	ice	stimulant	1990
4-Phenylpiperidine-4-carboxylic acid ethyl ester		?	1971

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 substitution at the nitrogen atom of the sidechain with one or more alkyl substituents but no other substituent;

(ba) the following phenethylamine derivatives, namely:—

• Allyl(a-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyphenethyl)amine
• 2-Amino-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl)ethanol
• 2-Amino-1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethanol
• Benzyl(a-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyphenethyl)amine
• 4-Bromo-b,2,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine
• N-(4-sec-Butylthio-2,5-dimethoxyphenethyl)hydroxylamine
• Cyclopropylmethyl(a-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyphenethyl)amine
• 2-(4,7-Dimethoxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-indan-5-yl)ethylamine
• 2-(4,7-Dimethoxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-indan-5-yl)-1-methylethylamine
• 2-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl)cyclopropylamine
• 2-(1,4-Dimethoxy-2-naphthyl)ethylamine
• 2-(1,4-Dimethoxy-2-naphthyl)-1-methylethylamine
• N-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-propylthiophenethyl)hydroxylamine
• 2-(1,4-Dimethoxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthyl)ethylamine
• 2-(1,4-Dimethoxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthyl)-1-methylethylamine
• a,a-Dimethyl-3,4-methylenedioxyphenethylamine
• a,a-Dimethyl-3,4-methylenedioxyphenethyl(methyl)amine

• Dimethyl(a-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyphenethyl)amine
• N-(4-Ethylthio-2,5-dimethoxyphenethyl)hydroxylamine
• 4-Iodo-2,5-dimethoxy-a-methylphenethyl(dimethyl)amine
• 2-(1,4-Methano-5,8-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6-naphthyl)ethylamine
• 2-(1,4-Methano-5,8-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6-naphthyl)-1-methylethylamine
• 2-(5-Methoxy-2,2-dimethyl-2,3-dihydrobenzo[b]furan-6-yl)-1-methylethylamine
• 2-Methoxyethyl(a-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyphenethyl)amine
• 2-(5-Methoxy-2-methyl-2,3-dihydrobenzo[b]furan-6-yl)-1-methylethylamine
• b-Methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxyphenethylamine
• 1-(3,4-Methylenedioxybenzyl)butyl(ethyl)amine
• 1-(3,4-Methylenedioxybenzyl)butyl(methyl)amine
• 2-(a-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyphenethylamino)ethanol
• a-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyphenethyl(prop-2-ynyl)amine
• N-Methyl-N-(a-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyphenethyl)hydroxylamine
• O-Methyl-N-(a-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyphenethyl)hydroxylamine
• a-Methyl-4-(methylthio)phenethylamine
• b,3,4,5-Tetramethoxyphenethylamine
• b,2,5-Trimethoxy-4-methylphenethylamine

(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-a-methylphenethylamine, a ethylphenethylamine, or an N-alkyl-a-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 wiith 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.

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	Predominant street name	Drug type	When added	Notes and comments
Acetyldihydrocodeine		opioid	1971
Amphetamine	speed	stimulant	1971
Codeine		opioid	1971	intramuscular injection only (legal when in tablet form)
Cannabinol and derivatives		cannabinoid	2009	downgraded from class A to class C in 2004 and upgraded to class B in 2009
Cannabis	weed	Cannabis sativa	2009	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		opioid	1971
Ethylmorphine		opioid	1971
Glutethimide		sedative	1985
Lefetamine		stimulant	1985
Mecloqualone		sedative	1984
a-Methylphenethylhydroxylamine			2001
Methaqualone		sedative	1984
Methcathinone		stimulant	1998
Methylphenidate	ritalin	stimulant	1971
Methylphenobarbitone		sedative	1984
Nicocodeine		opioid	1971
Nicodicodine		opioid	1973
Norcodeine		opioid	1971
Pentazocine		opioid	1985
Phenmetrazine		stimulant	1971
Pholcodine		opioid	1971
Propiram		opioid	1973
Zipeprol		opioid	1998

(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.

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.

Nabilone.

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.

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.”;

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. The following substances, namely:—

(a)

Name as specified in the Act	Predominant street name	Drug type	When added	Notes and comments
Alprazolam	Xanax	benzodiazepine	1996
Aminorex		stimulant	1998
Benzphetamine		stimulant	1971	metabolized into amphetamine and methamphetamine
Bromazepam		benzodiazepine	1996
Brotizolam		benzodiazepine	1998
Buprenorphine		opioid	1989
Camazepam		benzodiazepine	1985
Cathine		stimulant	1986
Cathinone		stimulant	1986
Chlordiazepoxide	Librium	benzodiazepine	1985
Chlorphentermine		stimulant	1971
Clobazam		benzodiazepine	1985
Clorazepic acid		benzodiazepine	1985
Clonazepam	Klonopin	benzodiazepine	1985
Clotiazepam		benzodiazepine	1985
Cloxazolam		benzodiazepine	1985
Delorazepam		benzodiazepine	1985
Dextropropoxyphene		opioid	1983
Diazepam	valium	benzodiazepine	1985
Diethylpropion		stimulant	1984
Estazolam		benzodiazepine	1985
Ethchlorvynol		sedative	1985
Ethinamate		sedative	1985
Ethyl loflazepate		benzodiazepine	1985
Fencamfamine		stimulant	1971	Removed from the schedule in 1973, added to the schedule again in 1986
Fenethylline		stimulant	1986
Fenproporex		stimulant	1986
Fludiazepam		benzodiazepine	1985
Flunitrazepam	rohypnol	benzodiazepine	1985
Flurazepam		benzodiazepine	1985
gamma-Butyrolactone		sedative	2009	metabolised to GHB in vivo
Halazepam		benzodiazepine	1985
Haloxazolam		benzodiazepine	1985
4-Hydroxy-n-butyric acid	GHB	sedative	2003
Ketamine	ket	sedative	2006
Ketazolam		benzodiazepine	1985
Loprazolam		benzodiazepine	1985
Lorazepam		benzodiazepine	1985
Lormetazepam		benzodiazepine	1985
Mazindol		stimulant	1985
Medazepam		benzodiazepine	1985
Mefenorex		stimulant	1986	amphetamine derivative, metabolises to amphetamine
Mephentermine		stimulant	1971
Meprobamate		sedative	1985
Mesocarb		stimulant	1998	used to counteract the effects of benzodiazepines
Methyprylone		sedative	1985
Midazolam		benzodiazepine	1990
Nimetazepam		benzodiazepine	1985
Nitrazepam		benzodiazepine	1985
Nordazepam		benzodiazepine	1985
Oxazepam		benzodiazepine	1985
Oxazolam		benzodiazepine	1985
Pemoline		stimulant	1989
Phendimetrazine		stimulant	1971
Phentermine		stimulant	1985
Pinazepam		benzodiazepine	1985
Pipradrol		stimulant	1971
Propylhexedrine		stimulant	1971	legalised in 1995
Prazepam		benzodiazepine	1985
Pyrovalerone		stimulant	1986
Temazepam		benzodiazepine	1985	becomes class A when prepared for injection
Tetrazepam		benzodiazepine	1985
Triazolam		benzodiazepine	1985
N-Ethylamphetamine		stimulant	1986
Zolpidem			2003

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

(b)

• 4-Androstene-3, 17-dione
• 5-Androstene-3, 17-diol
• Atamestane
• Bolandiol
• Bolasterone
• Bolazine
• Boldenone
• Bolenol
• Bolmantalate
• Calusterone
• 4-Chloromethandienone
• Clostebol
• Drostanolone

• Enestebol
• Epitiostanol
• Ethyloestrenol
• Fluoxymesterone
• Formebolone
• Furazabol
• Mebolazine
• Mepitiostane
• Mesabolone
• Mestanolone
• Mesterolone
• Methandienone
• Methandriol

• Methenolone
• Methyltestosterone
• Metribolone
• Mibolerone
• Nandrolone
• 19-Nor-4-Androstene-3, 17-dione
• 19-Nor-5-Androstene-3, 17-diol
• Norboletone
• Norclostebol
• Norethandrolone
• Ovandrotone
• Oxabolone
• Oxandrolone

• Oxymesterone
• Oxymetholone
• Prasterone
• Propetandrol
• Quinbolone
• Roxibolone
• Silandrone
• Stanolone
• Stanozolol
• Stenbolone
• Testosterone
• Thiomesterone
• Trenbolone

(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
• Somatropin
• 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.

External links

• The text of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 — Office of Public Sector Information
• List of modifications to the Act — Office of Public Sector Information
• Schedules and structures of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 — Isomer Design