DEA places four synthetic opioids in Schedule I

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has issued a temporary scheduling order placing four synthetic opioids in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), effective immediately on August 27, 2026. The order, published in the Federal Register (Vol. 91, No. 165) under Docket No. DEA–1665 and document 2026–17531, will remain in force for two years, until August 27, 2028, with a possible one-year extension pending the regular scheduling process.

The action covers 5,6-dichloro brorphine (SR–14968), 5,6-dichloro desmethylchlorphine (SR–17018), N-propionitrile chlorphine (cychlorphine) and spirochlorphine (R–6890), including their isomers, esters, ethers and salts. DEA Administrator Terrance C. Cole signed the order on August 23, 2026, after the agency found that uncontrolled manufacture, distribution and abuse of the substances pose an imminent hazard to public safety.

Legal basis and procedure

Under 21 U.S.C. 811(h), the Attorney General may temporarily place a substance in Schedule I for two years when necessary to avoid an imminent hazard to public safety. The Administrator notified the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Assistant Secretary for Health by letter dated April 1, 2026, and HHS communicated no objection on April 10, 2026, after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed there were no approved or investigational new drug applications for the four opioids.

DEA published its notice of intent in the Federal Register on July 1, 2026 (91 FR 39940). The agency’s three-factor analysis, available in the public docket at www.regulations.gov, found the substances have a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in the United States, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.

Evidence of abuse and harm

Surveillance data cited in the order document the spread of the four opioids across the illicit market:

• NFLIS-Drug registered 265 reports across 21 states, including 225 encounters of N-propionitrile chlorphine in 19 states since 2022.
• DEA TOX positively identified N-propionitrile chlorphine in 49 fatalities, with victims aged 18 to 66 (28 male, 21 female).
• RaDAR detected N-propionitrile chlorphine in East Coast samples and 5,6-dichloro desmethylchlorphine in West Coast samples in early 2026.
• The substances are often co-identified with fentanyl, xylazine, benzodiazepines and other adulterants, exposing users to unpredictable purity and potency.

Compliance requirements and sanctions

As of August 27, 2026, the four opioids are subject to the full range of Schedule I regulatory controls. Any person who manufactures, distributes, imports, exports, possesses or conducts research with them must be registered with DEA, and unauthorized handling is unlawful and may trigger administrative, civil or criminal sanctions.

• Registration: handlers must be registered with DEA under 21 U.S.C. 822, 823, 957 and 958.
• Inventory and records: registrants have 30 calendar days to comply with inventory and recordkeeping requirements.
• Labeling and packaging: current registrants have 30 calendar days to comply.
• Disposal: manufacturers and distributors must surrender all held quantities within 90 calendar days.
• Security, order forms, import/export and quota requirements apply as of the effective date.

The order amends 21 CFR part 1308, adding paragraphs (h)(92) through (h)(95) to § 1308.11 (Schedule I). For drug enforcement agencies, forensic laboratories and public health officials, the temporary scheduling provides an immediate legal tool to curb trafficking and possession of these emerging opioids while the permanent scheduling process runs its course.

Source: Federal Register, Vol. 91, No. 165, August 27, 2026, Rules and Regulations, p. 55252 (official reference: FR Doc. 2026–17531; Docket No. DEA–1665).