Is Methamphetamine a Controlled Substance?
Yes, methamphetamine is classified as a controlled substance. Controlled substances are medications or drugs that are very habit-forming or are very likely to be abused. Certain prescription medications and most illegal street drugs are controlled substances. There are special rules for medications that are controlled substances. Also, there are five different groups (or classes) of controlled substances. Each class has its own specific rules.
While most people think of methamphetamine as an illegal street drug, it is also a prescription medication used for the treatment of obesity or
ADHD.
Desoxyn® (
methamphetamine hydrochloride) is the prescription version of methamphetamine.
Rules Governing Methamphetamine -- A Class II Controlled Substance
Methamphetamine, along with many other stimulants, is a Class II (or Schedule II) controlled substance. This means that methamphetamine has a legitimate medical purpose but is very likely to be abused
(see Methamphetamine Addiction and Abuse for more information). Because it is a Class II controlled substance, there are special rules for prescribing methamphetamine. Prescriptions for methamphetamine must be in the written "hard copy" form (they cannot be phoned or faxed to a pharmacy). Also, methamphetamine prescriptions cannot have any refills (you must get a new prescription each month).
All the special rules and "red tape" surrounding the use of methamphetamine may seem inconvenient, but they were put in place to prevent abuse of the medication. There may be other rules that your healthcare providers must follow concerning methamphetamine, depending on the laws of your particular state.
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