What are controlled and monitored medicines
Controlled and monitored medicines are strictly regulated to:
- minimise potential harm to individuals
- ensure public health.
Controlled medicines
Controlled medicines may have an increased risk of:
- misuse, abuse and dependency
- non-medical use.
Examples of controlled medicines include:
- morphine
- oxycodone
- dexamfetamine
- alprazolam.
Controlled medicines are prescribed in line with the Controlled Medicines Prescribing Standards 2026.
Monitored medicines
Monitored medicines include:
- all controlled medicines
- those declared by the Minister for Health to be monitored medicines under the Controlled Medicines Prescribing Standards 2026.
The following medicines have been identified as harmful because of deaths from their misuse:
- codeine (including when prepared with non-monitored medicines)
- tramadol
- all benzodiazepines
- quetiapine
- zolpidem and zopiclone (z-drugs)
- gabapentin
- pregabalin.
Find out more about monitored medicines in Canberra Script.