Prescription List

The following medications are classified as Schedule 8 (Controlled Drugs) or S4D (medicines that carry a higher risk of abuse, misuse, dependence, or diversion) under the Australian Poisons Standard (Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons — SUSMP), regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). This list is based on the current TGA Poisons Standard and state/territory controlled-substances legislation. THESE MEDICATIONS CAN NOT BE PRESCRIBED BY THE PRACTITIONERS VIA TELEHEALTH. PLEASE BOOK IN TO SEE A GP FACE TO FACE.

Opioid Analgesics

Morphine

All forms — oral, injection, extended-release

Oxycodone

Includes OxyContin, Endone, Targin (with naloxone)

Hydromorphone

Dilaudid — strong opioid analgesic

Fentanyl

Patches, lozenges, injections, nasal spray

Buprenorphine

High-dose formulations (Subutex, Suboxone)

Methadone

Opioid dependence treatment and analgesia

Pethidine (Meperidine)

Parenteral opioid analgesic

Tapentadol

Palexia — dual-action opioid/NRI analgesic

Codeine (high-dose / injectable)

Schedule 8 when concentration exceeds S4 threshold

Alfentanil

Short-acting opioid for anaesthesia

Remifentanil

Ultra-short-acting intravenous opioid

Sufentanil

High-potency opioid for anaesthesia/intensive care

Oxymorphone

Potent opioid analgesic

Dihydrocodeine (high-dose)

Exceeds S4 threshold concentrations

CNS Stimulants (ADHD / Narcolepsy)

Dexamfetamine (Dexamphetamine)

Dexedrine — ADHD, narcolepsy

Methylphenidate

Ritalin, Concerta, Ritalin LA — ADHD

Lisdexamfetamine

Vyvanse — ADHD and binge-eating disorder

Amfetamine (Amphetamine) salts

Adderall — not routinely available in Australia

Methamphetamine

Medical-grade only; extremely restricted

Pemoline

Withdrawn from market; still Schedule 8

Benzodiazepines & Sedatives

Alprazolam

Xanax — Schedule 8 in most Australian states

Diazepam

Valium — Schedule 8 in some states/territories

Flunitrazepam

Rohypnol — highly restricted; Schedule 8 nationally

Temazepam

Normison, Temaze — sleeping aid; Schedule 8 in most states

Triazolam

Halcion — short-acting hypnotic; Schedule 8

Nitrazepam

Mogadon — Schedule 8 in several states

Oxazepam

Serepax — Schedule 8 in some jurisdictions

Lorazepam

Ativan — Schedule 8 in several states

Clonazepam

Rivotril — Schedule 8 in most states

Midazolam

Hypnovel — Schedule 8 outside hospital/acute settings

Sodium oxybate (GHB)

Xyrem — narcolepsy; strictly controlled

Cannabis-based Medicines

Cannabis (medicinal — THC-containing)

Requires TGA Special Access Scheme approval

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

Active component; Schedule 8 in medicinal preparations

Nabiximols

Sativex (THC + CBD) — multiple sclerosis spasticity

Dronabinol

Synthetic THC — nausea/vomiting in chemotherapy

Nabilone

Synthetic cannabinoid — chemotherapy-related nausea

Anabolic Steroids & Related Hormones

Testosterone (injectable/implant)

Sustanon, Reandron — Schedule 8 formulations

Nandrolone

Deca-Durabolin — anabolic steroid

Stanozolol

Winstrol — anabolic steroid

Oxandrolone

Anavar — anabolic steroid

Trenbolone

Anabolic steroid; veterinary origin

Boldenone

Equipoise — veterinary anabolic steroid

Danazol

Synthetic androgen — endometriosis

Growth hormone (somatropin)

Schedule 8 except for approved indications

Erythropoietin (EPO)

Schedule 8 — performance-enhancing misuse concern

Other Controlled Substances

Ketamine

Dissociative anaesthetic; Schedule 8 in non-hospital setting

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB)

Sodium oxybate — narcolepsy; highly restricted

Phencyclidine (PCP)

No therapeutic use; Schedule 8/prohibited

MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine)

Schedule 8 — approved for PTSD under strict clinical trial conditions

Psilocybine

Schedule 8 from July 2023 — approved for treatment-resistant depression (specialist only)

Cocaine (medicinal)

Topical ENT anaesthetic only; tightly controlled

Secobarbital

Barbiturate — Schedule 8

Pentobarbital

Nembutal — Schedule 8; end-of-life use under strict legislation

Butorphanol

Opioid agonist-antagonist — Schedule 8

Levorphanol

Long-acting opioid analgesic

Regulatory Reference

This list is derived from Schedule 8 of the Poisons Standard (SUSMP) published by the Australian Government Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Scheduling may vary by state and territory. Always consult your regular GP or specialist for medications not listed here or if you have questions about your current prescriptions.

View the TGA Poisons Standard (SUSMP)