What constitutes a 'controlled' medication?

A 'controlled' medication refers to substances that are regulated by law due to their potential for abuse, addiction, or dependence. This classification is established to manage and monitor their distribution and usage effectively. Medications that fall into this category are typically scheduled according to their potential for abuse, with stricter controls on those that are deemed to have a higher risk.

In contrast, medications that can be ordered freely or purchased without restriction do not fall under this definition. Similarly, the presence or absence of side effects does not determine whether a medication is controlled; rather, it is primarily the risk of abuse that defines this category. Thus, identifying a medication as controlled hinges on its potential for misuse and the regulations established to mitigate that risk.