Our Controlled Drugs Prescription Policy

Schedule IV Drugs

Schedule IV drugs, substances, or chemicals are controlled drugs that may be medically necessary but with the following characteristics.

Potential for abuse: LOW

Potential for severe psychological or physical dependence: LOW

Some examples of Schedule IV drugs are:

• Xanax (Alprazolam)

• Soma (Carisoprodol)

• Darvon (Propoxyphene); was withdrawn from the US market due to safety concerns.

• Darvocet (Propoxyphene and Acetaminophen); was withdrawn from the US market due to safety concerns.

• Valium (Diazepam)

• Ativan (Lorazepam)

• Talwin (Pentazocine)

• Ambien (Zolpidem)

• Tramadol (Ultram).

The above list is not exhaustive. There are numerous other substances that fall or could fall under Schedule IV.

Our policy regarding Schedule IV Drugs:

• Per regulation, WE CAN prescribe, dispense, or administer Schedule IV drugs for medical needs and under the right conditions.

Possible side effects of Some Schedule IV Drugs and Substances:

Here are some of the side effects associated with a few Schedule IV drugs:

• Xanax (Alprazolam): Common side effects include drowsiness, light-headedness, insomnia, impaired coordination, fatigue, and memory problems. Long-term use can lead to dependency, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms upon cessation.

• Soma (Carisoprodol): This muscle relaxant can cause drowsiness, dizziness, headache, and increased heart rate. Abuse can lead to dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and misuse can result in overdose and death.

• Darvon (Propoxyphene) and Darvocet (Propoxyphene and Acetaminophen): Both Darvon and Darvocet have been withdrawn from the U.S. market due to safety concerns, including the risk of serious toxicity to the heart. When they were available, typical side effects included dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness.

• Valium (Diazepam): Side effects can include drowsiness, muscle weakness, fatigue, confusion, and impaired coordination. Long-term use can lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms.

• Ativan (Lorazepam): Common side effects include sedation, dizziness, weakness, and unsteadiness. Prolonged use can result in dependency and withdrawal symptoms.

• Talwin (Pentazocine): Side effects can include dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, and sweating. It can also cause confusion, hallucinations, and euphoria, particularly at high doses.

• Ambien (Zolpidem): Often used for short-term treatment of insomnia, side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, headache, nausea, and "sleep-driving" or performing other activities while not fully awake. Long-term use can lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms.

• Tramadol (Ultram): This pain reliever can cause dizziness, nausea, constipation, headache, drowsiness, and vomiting. It has a risk of serotonin syndrome when combined with other medications, and long-term use can lead to addiction and withdrawal symptoms.
  .

While Schedule IV drugs are considered to have a lower risk of dependence and abuse, patients need to use these medications as prescribed to minimize risks and manage side effects effectively.

Download the PDF version of our controlled drugs prescription policy

Next | Schedule V Drugs

Previous | Schedule III Drugs

Read our commitment to providing care that emphasizes safety and personalized recovery plans.

Our Prescription Drug Monitoring Policy

Our policy follows the CDC's PDMP guidelines to reduce the risk of drug overdose.

About marijuana, and medicinal marijuana

The landscape of marijuana is rapidly changing, with national movements pushing for its legalization and its medical use showing remarkable outcomes in a host of treatments. Also, there's a growing perception that marijuana transcends the traditional label of a "drug" and is viewed instead as a beneficial ally in medical therapy and even for recreational use.

Despite these shifting attitudes and the positive embrace of medical marijuana, it's essential for our patients to understand our critical regulatory reality. Under DEA guidelines, we remain restricted from prescribing, dispensing, or administering any substance listed as a Schedule I drug, which includes marijuana. This legal boundary shapes our practice and the services we can offer, even amidst evolving societal and medical perspectives.

So, under DEA guidelines, we are unable to prescribe, dispense, or administer marijuana (or cannabis or its other names).

• Request an Appointment

• Contact Us

Let's get started now

Psychiatric evaluation and management

• Case management (psychiatric/mental health)

• Court services (psychiatric/mental health reports)

• Medication management

• Psychiatric and mental health evaluation

• Other psychiatric and mental health reports.
  

Substance Abuse

• Alcohol addiction

• Coffee or stimulant addiction

• Drugs addiction (Cocaine, Marijuana, Heroin, Meth, etc.)

• Food or soda addiction

• Smoking, tobacco, or vaping addiction

• Opioids, painkillers, or prescription medicines addiction

Unhealthy Habits & Addiction

• Gambling or gaming addiction

• Internet and computer addiction

• Sexual addiction or disorder

• Shopping and spending addiction

• Work addiction (Workaholism)

• Other addiction issues.

• Abuse/Trauma

• Adjustment issues

• Anger issues

• Antisocial/deviant behavior

• Anxiety/stress

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Autism

• Body image problems

• Bipolar disorder

• Compulsive stealing (Kleptomania)

• Crisis intervention

• Depression

• Eating disorders

• Eating disorder - Anorexia Nervosa,

• Eating disorder - Binge Eating,

• Eating disorder - Bulimia Nervosa,

• Eating disorder - Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

• Family conflict

• Imposter syndrome (Self-imposter disorder)

• Intellectual development/learning disability

• Lying disorders (Compulsive lying and Pathological lying)

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)

• Paranoia

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Psychosis

• Self-esteem issues

• Schizophrenia

• Sleep problems (sleep disorder, insomnia)

• Trauma

• Women’s Issues

• Other psychiatric and mental health issues
  

We also provide these administrative services

Here're addiction problems we treat

• Nutrition/vitamin treatment

• Stomach reduction assessment/evaluation

• Weight management

• General health education (individual and group lessons)

• Other nutrition and weight management services.
  

And we provide nutrition and weight management services to make your well-being even more complete

Don't let life's challenges define you—or your loved one—we are here to help you overcome and thrive!

Here're psychosocial and psychosomatic issues we treat

We operate under the laws and regulations of the State of Maryland as a Maryland outpatient clinic.