Canada moves to permanently control sedative found in illegal drug markets

Health Canada's offices at Tunney's Pasture, in Ottawa is seen on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

The federal government announced on Wednesday that it’s implementing permanent controls for the sedative carisoprodol, which it says has been linked to illegal drug markets overseas.

The drug, which is not authorized for sale in Canada, is used in other countries “as a muscle relaxant and it has sedative effects similar to benzodiazepines,” Health Canada said in a press release.

“In light of evidence of its misuse and diversion in other countries, these new regulations will ensure that law and border enforcement continue to have the tools they need to stop its illegal importation, distribution and use.”

Carisoprodol on its own can be highly addictive, and the drug has been banned in Europe since 2008, after the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) recommended the suspension of marketing authorizations for all medicinal products containing the substance.

But in certain drug markets, carisoprodol has been combined with addictive opioids such as tapentadol, creating a potentially lethal cocktail.

Earlier this year, the BBC reported that India banned the manufacturing and exporting of tapentadol and carisoprodol, which in some cases were being mixed together into one medication and exported for use in West Africa.

This drug combination contributed to a public health crisis in countries including Ghana, Nigeria and Cote D’Ivoire, according to the BBC.

Following that move by Indian authorities, Canada placed temporary controls on carisoprodol in February on a one-year emergency basis.

“Since this Ministerial Order, border enforcement has successfully been able to intercept and prevent illegal shipments of carisoprodol from entering Canada,” the press release from Health Canada read.

“This work is part of Canada’s Border Plan, which aims to strengthen border security, including detecting and disrupting the illegal drug trade.”

Kevin Brosseau, appointed as Canada’s first “fentanyl czar” earlier this year, said in the release that these permanent controls send a “clear message to organized crime.”

“Canada is committed to eliminating illegal drugs and to keeping our communities safe,” he said. “We will continue to take action to control substances linked to the illegal drug market.”