Schedule II Control of Dihydroetorphine Under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA)

This is a final rule issued by the DEA that dihydroetorphine (7,8-dihydro-7<greek-a>-[1-(R)-hydroxy-1-methylbutyl]-6,14-endo- ethanotetrahydrooripavine) is a Schedule II controlled substance. Although dihydroetorphine is not specifically listed in Schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), it is a derivative of thebaine and as such is controlled under 21 U.S.C. 812 Schedule II(a)(1) which includes "Opium and opiate, and any salt, compound, derivative, or preparation of opium or opiate." Dihydroetorphine is a derivative of thebaine, a natural constituent of opium, hence dihydroetorphine is, by virtue of 21 U.S.C. 812 and 21 CFR Part 1308.12(b)(1)(16), a Schedule II controlled substance. International control of dihydroetorphine in Schedule I of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961 in 1998 prompted the DEA to specifically list dihydroetorphine as a controlled substance in Schedule II of the CSA.