At what level is Buprenorphine (Buprenorphine) controlled?

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Last updated: April 10, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Guidelines

Buprinorphan is controlled at the Schedule III level in the United States. This classification is based on the fact that it has a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence compared to Schedule I and II drugs, but still requires regulation 1. The Schedule III classification of buprenorphine, which is similar to buprinorphan, allows qualified healthcare providers to prescribe it for opioid use disorder treatment in office-based settings after obtaining a special waiver. Some key points to consider about the control of buprinorphan include:

  • It has a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence
  • It is regulated under the Controlled Substances Act in the United States
  • Its control balances the need to prevent misuse while ensuring appropriate access for patients who need this medication for legitimate medical purposes
  • The Schedule III classification is similar to that of other opioids, as noted in the clinical policy for critical issues related to opioids in adult patients presenting to the emergency department 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

The FDA drug label does not answer the question.

From the Research

Buprinorphan Control Level

  • Buprinorphan is not explicitly mentioned in the provided studies, however, buprenorphine is discussed in detail.
  • According to the studies, buprenorphine is controlled at the Schedule III level in the US 2, 3, 4.
  • The rescheduling of buprenorphine from Schedule V to Schedule III was done in 2002 4.
  • There is no direct information available on the control level of Buprinorphan, it seems the studies provided are related to buprenorphine.
  • Buprenorphine's control level is well documented, but without further information, it's unclear if Buprinorphan has a similar or different control level 5, 6.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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