DEA Extends Temporary Status of Benzimidazole-Opioids in Schedule I, Proposes Permanent Listings

The Drug Enforcement Administration is extending for one more year the temporary listing of three synthetic benzimidazole-opioid substances -- butonitazene, flunitazene and metodesnitazene -- in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, it said in a notice released April 10. The synthetic benzimidazole-opioids, first temporarily listed in 2022 (see 2204110029), will now remain listed in Schedule I until April 12, 2025. DEA also released a proposed rule to permanently list these synthetic benzimidazole-opioids in Schedule I, with comments due May 13. Substances may be temporarily listed under the CSA for three years.