Schedules of Controlled Substances: Proposed Placement of Butorphanol into Schedule IV

This proposed rule is issued by the Acting Deputy Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to place the substance butorphanol, including its salts and optical isomers, into Schedule IV of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This proposed action is based on a recommendation from the Assistant Secretary for Health of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that butorphanol be added to Schedule IV and on an evaluation of the relevant data by the DEA. If finalized, this action will impose the regulatory controls and criminal sanctions of Schedule IV on those who handle butorphanol and products containing butorphanol.