Is Barbiturates legal in United Kingdom?
- Legal status
- Barbiturates are Class B controlled drugs (Misuse of Drugs Act 1971), scheduled as a class by compound tier under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 — most (phenobarbital, amobarbital, butobarbital, pentobarbital) sit in Schedule 3, while secobarbital (quinalbarbitone) is the stricter Schedule 2; this tracks the 1971 Convention split (secobarbital Sch II, amobarbital/pentobarbital Sch III, phenobarbital/barbital Sch IV).
- Consequences if caught
- Class B possession without authority up to 5 years plus a fine; production or supply up to 14 years and an unlimited fine.
- If prescribed or medical
- Phenobarbital is dispensed as a licensed antiepileptic (a WHO Essential Medicine) and is uniquely allowed as an emergency supply for epilepsy despite Schedule 3; secobarbital (Schedule 2, CD register and safe-custody) and the other sedative barbiturates are now rarely prescribed.
- Documentation
- Schedule 3 barbiturates need no personal import licence — carry them in original packaging with a copy of the prescription; secobarbital as a Schedule 2 drug attracts the full controlled-drug import controls.
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with United Kingdom’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →