Alabama News: Alabama Department of Public Health - News Release

May 1, 2007 12:47 pm Topics: Controlled substances

Published in the May 2007 Alabama State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter

Butalbital compounds will be under stricter control. The State Committee of Public Health has approved a rule change that will remove any exemptions on butalbital compounds from the Alabama Controlled Substances List. Butalbital compounds are used to treat tension headache and are prescribed when other medications are not indicated.

“The public may notice that some prescriptions with this substance in them may require more limitations on refills and the time limits in which the prescriptions can be refilled,” stated Charles Thomas, pharmacy director, Alabama Department of Public Health. “This is similar to certain drugs that are in the same CS status as the butalbital medications. A patient’s pharmacist or physician can advise him or her if the prescription contains butalbital. All prescriptions containing this drug will be subject to being filled within six months of the prescription being written or five refills, whichever comes first.”

This change is a part of an ongoing effort of the health department to control illegal diversion of CS in Alabama. Under the rule change, all barbituric acid derivative compounds that contain butalbital will be included on Schedule III of the list. Formerly, some exemptions were allowed. The final adoption of the rule change became effective March 28, 2007.