Carisoprodol added to Schedule IV

Summary#

This order adds carisoprodol to Schedule IV of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, bringing the drug under longer-term federal control. The order was published November 19, 2025 and comes into force 30 days after publication (on or about December 19, 2025).

What it does#

• Adds the substance carisoprodol to Schedule IV of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
• Also schedules carisoprodol under the Benzodiazepines and Other Targeted Substances Regulations, aligning rules for possession, import/export, sale, and production.
• Makes unauthorized activities such as importation, exportation, production, trafficking and sale subject to the offences and penalties in the Act. Possession of a Schedule IV substance is not itself a criminal offence.
• Keeps a path for legitimate uses: people and organizations can continue certain activities only if they hold the appropriate licences, permits, or exemptions from Health Canada.

Who's affected#

• Laboratories, analytical services and a small number of companies that handle carisoprodol as a reference standard or for scientific work. Fewer than 15 licence-holders had already amended licences while the temporary control was in place.
• Pharmacies or compounding pharmacies that might handle the substance.
• Researchers who will need a subsection 56(1) exemption from Health Canada to work with carisoprodol.
• Travellers carrying prescription products containing carisoprodol in amounts over a 90-day supply (they would need an exemption).
• Law enforcement and border agencies, including the Canada Border Services Agency, which will continue to have tools to intercept and act on illegal shipments.

Why it matters#

• Keeps enforcement powers in place after the temporary ministerial control would otherwise expire (the temporary order expires April 13, 2026), so there is no gap in control.
• Lets Canada meet its international drug-control obligations after the UN decision to schedule carisoprodol (the UN action was taken March 12, 2025).
• For most Canadians this will have little direct impact because carisoprodol is not authorized for sale in Canada and has had limited presence in Canadian markets; however, a small number of labs and businesses will face modest administrative steps (licence amendments, permits or exemption applications).
• The 30-day delay before the order takes effect gives those legitimate users time to apply for the required authorizations from Health Canada.