Skip to main content

What are the rules for controlled drug refills?

Medically reviewed by Leigh Ann Anderson, PharmD. Last updated on Jan 20, 2025.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

In general, schedule II controlled substance prescriptions cannot be refilled and expire after 6 months. Schedule III or IV prescriptions may not be filled or refilled more than 6 months after the written date OR refilled more than 5 times, whichever comes first. Schedule V controlled substances may be refilled as authorized. Laws may vary by state.

Key Points

Rules and regulations for controlled substances vary by state and federal law in the U.S. In general,

Note: Rules for controlled substance medications must comply with both state and federal rules and regulations. For activities regulated by both state and federal agencies, the more stringent rule must be followed.

Do I need to see my doctor to get a new CII prescription every 30 days?

No, your doctor may elect to write sequential prescriptions for CII medicines that indicate a “Do Not Fill Until” date on the prescription AND for sequential prescriptions that authorize no more than a 90-day supply, if allowed by state law.

What is a Controlled Substance?

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) determines which medications fall under the category of "controlled substance". In the U.S., there are five controlled substance schedules at the federal level (Schedules CI-V) that are used to classify drugs based upon the:

Individuals who work with controlled substances, such as those who order, handle, store, and distribute these substances must be registered with the DEA to perform these functions. They are required to maintain accurate inventories, records and security of the controlled substances.

The abuse potential of a drug is a strong factor in determining the schedule for a drug.

Do not give or sell a prescription controlled substance to anyone else. Selling or giving to others may harm them and is against the law

According to the DEA, a substance need not be listed as a controlled substance to be treated as a Schedule I substance for criminal prosecution (for example, controlled substance analogues structurally or pharmacologically substantially similar to or is represented as being similar to a Schedule I or Schedule II substance).

What is the Federal Controlled Substance Act?

The Federal Controlled Substance Act (CSA) is the principal federal law regulating the manufacture, distribution, dispensing and delivery of medications which have the potential for abuse or dependence.

The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) schedule information displayed applies to substances regulated under federal law. There may be variations in CSA schedules between individual states and federal law.

Examples of Controlled Substances

Some states have a controlled substance Schedule VI designation, but the definition can vary.

Contact the State Board of Pharmacy if you questions about controlled substance classifications in your state.

Related: Definitions and Lists of Controlled Substances (in more detail)

Related questions

Can I get a Schedule II controlled substance in an emergency?

Yes, in an emergency situation, your pharmacist may be able to fill a prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance medicine if given an oral authorization by your doctor. The amount dispensed is limited to the amount needed for treatment during the emergency period.

In addition, the prescribing healthcare provider shall mail or deliver a written Rx for the emergency quantity prescribed within 7 days of authorizing an emergency CII prescription.

As always, this rule can vary by state, so check with your pharmacist.

Can I just fill part of my controlled substance prescription?

If state law does not prohibit partial filling of CII prescriptions, you may be able to get a partial fill of a CII prescription. Ask your local pharmacist. In general, the total quantity dispensed of a CII medication can be filled no later than 30 days from the original date the prescription was written (but can vary by state). The total quantity of medicine cannot exceed the original amount prescribed.

Can my doctor just email my controlledsubstance prescription to the pharmacist?

No, according to DEA federal law, electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) of controlled substances must be created and transmitted using an electronic application that meets the DEA requirements. Emailing is not allowed. These systems must be able to:

What information should be included on a controlled substance prescription?

Prescriptions written for controlled substance prescriptions must contain specific information as required by law such as:

Health care providers should consult their state rules to determine what specific prescription requirements exist.

References

Read next

Naproxen vs ibuprofen: What's the difference?

Ibuprofen is short acting, while naproxen is long acting and more likely to cause an upset stomach. Naproxen also increases the risk of uncontrolled bleeding in people taking blood thinners by 4-fold, and ibuprofen increases the risk 2-fold. Naproxen and ibuprofen are both NSAIDs so they are similar in many ways, but there are important differences. Continue reading

Can you take ibuprofen on an empty stomach?

Despite the common belief that you must take ibuprofen with food, you can safely take low-dose ibuprofen (up to 1200 mg daily in divided doses for 1 to 7 days) on an empty stomach, and this provides faster pain relief than taking ibuprofen with food. Food slows ibuprofen absorption time, although it doesn't affect the total amount absorbed. There is actually no scientific evidence that taking ibuprofen with food prevents stomach irritation. Over-the-counter ibuprofen doses have a low incidence of gastric problems anyway.

Continue reading

Can you take expired ibuprofen?

Although taking expired ibuprofen is not recommended by the manufacturer, the actual shelf-life is likely to be longer than that indicated by the expiry date, with FDA testing showing many drugs are active for years beyond their expiry date, although specific data on ibuprofen is not available. Within reason, an ibuprofen tablet that is a few months past its expiry date is probably safe to take. Ibuprofen that is years past its expiry date should not be taken. Continue reading

See also:

Related medical questions

Related support groups