Can Telehealth Prescribe Controlled Substances?

Key Takeaways

• Yes, telehealth can currently prescribe many controlled substances in Schedules II through V through December 31, 2026, under extended DEA telemedicine flexibilities.
• Common controlled medications that may be prescribed through telehealth include Adderall, Ritalin, and Vyvanse for ADHD, Xanax, Ativan, and Klonopin for anxiety, and buprenorphine for opioid use disorder.
• Telehealth cannot prescribe Schedule I substances such as marijuana at the federal level, LSD, or heroin because they have no accepted medical use under federal law.
• The Ryan Haight Act normally requires an in-person medical evaluation before controlled substances can be prescribed, but current DEA telehealth flexibilities allow certain Schedule II through V prescriptions without that initial in-person visit through the end of 2026.
• August AI does not prescribe controlled substances by policy. It focuses on non-controlled, first-line treatments for more than 40 common conditions with a $39 flat-fee visit.

The short answer is yes, but there are a few important details. Whether telehealth can prescribe a specific controlled medication depends on the drug, its DEA schedule, your state's laws, the clinician's licensing, and the telehealth platform's own prescribing policies.

Not every telehealth service offers controlled substance prescribing. Some platforms are built specifically around ADHD, psychiatry, or addiction treatment. Others, including August AI, intentionally focus on general care and non-controlled medications.

Need help with a non-controlled prescription? The August AI Symptom Checker can evaluate your symptoms in under two minutes. For eligible conditions, August AI Online Urgent Care connects you with a US-licensed clinician who can evaluate your symptoms and decide whether a non-controlled prescription is appropriate.

What are controlled substances?

Controlled substances are medications regulated under the federal Controlled Substances Act because of their potential for misuse, dependence, or diversion. The DEA places them into five schedules based on factors including accepted medical use and abuse potential.

Schedule I

Schedule I substances have no currently accepted medical use under federal law and a high potential for misuse. Examples include heroin and LSD. Marijuana also remains a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law.

These substances cannot be prescribed by a doctor, whether the visit happens online or in person.

Schedule II

Schedule II medications have accepted medical uses but a high potential for misuse and dependence. Examples include:

• Adderall
• Ritalin
• Vyvanse
• Concerta
• Oxycodone
• Morphine
• Fentanyl
• Hydrocodone

These are among the most tightly regulated prescription medications.

Schedule III

Schedule III medications have accepted medical uses and a lower abuse potential than Schedule I or II drugs. Examples include:

• Buprenorphine products, including some Suboxone formulations
• Ketamine
• Testosterone
• Certain codeine-containing medications

Schedule IV

Schedule IV drugs have a lower potential for misuse than Schedule III drugs but are still federally controlled. Examples include:

• Xanax
• Ativan
• Klonopin
• Valium
• Ambien
• Tramadol

Schedule V

Schedule V medications have the lowest abuse potential among federally controlled substances. Some cough medications containing limited amounts of codeine fall into this category.

The important distinction is simple: Schedule I drugs cannot be prescribed at all under federal law. Under the current telehealth rules, certain medications in Schedules II through V may be prescribed remotely when federal and state requirements are met.

Can telehealth prescribe Schedule II drugs?

Yes, 

Schedule II drugs include some of the most commonly searched medications for telehealth prescribing, especially ADHD medications such as Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse, and Concerta.

Under the current DEA telemedicine flexibilities extended through December 31, 2026, eligible clinicians can prescribe certain Schedule II medications following an appropriate audio-video telehealth evaluation without the patient first completing an in-person visit.

That does not mean every telehealth platform offers Schedule II prescriptions.

Many general telehealth services avoid controlled substance prescribing altogether. This can be because of state licensing requirements, prescribing policies, monitoring needs, or the type of care the platform is designed to provide.

Specialized ADHD and psychiatric telehealth services may offer controlled medication management as part of ongoing care. General urgent care platforms are much less likely to do so.

August AI does not prescribe Schedule II medications or other controlled substances.

Can telehealth prescribe Schedule III through V drugs?

Yes. Schedule III through V controlled medications can also potentially be prescribed through telehealth under the current federal flexibilities, although the exact process depends on the medication and the type of care.

Examples include certain buprenorphine medications used for opioid use disorder, some anxiety medications, sleep medications, testosterone, and other controlled prescriptions.

Buprenorphine has its own telemedicine rules and can be prescribed remotely under federal regulations in circumstances that differ from many other controlled substances. This is particularly important for opioid use disorder treatment, where access to remote care can help patients who live in rural areas or have difficulty reaching an addiction specialist.

Benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Ativan, and Klonopin are also controlled medications. Even where telehealth prescribing is legally permitted, many platforms are cautious about starting or continuing these medications because they can cause dependence and may require ongoing monitoring.

So the answer to "Can telehealth prescribe controlled substances?" is yes. The answer to "Will this specific telehealth platform prescribe my medication?" is a separate question.

The Ryan Haight Act and telehealth prescribing

The Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act generally requires an in-person medical evaluation before a controlled substance can be prescribed over the internet, unless a specific legal exception applies.

During the COVID-19 public health emergency, the DEA temporarily allowed broader telemedicine prescribing of controlled substances without the usual initial in-person evaluation. Those temporary rules have been extended several times.

DEA telehealth rules in 2026

As of 2026, the current DEA and HHS telemedicine flexibilities allow eligible DEA-registered clinicians to continue prescribing certain Schedule II through V controlled substances through telehealth without an initial in-person visit through December 31, 2026.

The rules still do not give every clinician unlimited authority to prescribe every controlled medication online. The clinician must be properly registered and authorized, and state laws and professional requirements still apply.

Telehealth platforms can also set stricter internal policies than federal law requires.

That is why two telehealth services can give you different answers about the same medication. One platform may legally and clinically support ongoing ADHD medication management, while another may have a blanket policy against prescribing controlled substances.

Which telehealth platforms prescribe controlled substances?

Some telehealth platforms specialize in conditions that commonly involve controlled medications, particularly ADHD, psychiatry, and addiction treatment.

Platforms may include:

• Done, which focuses on ADHD care and medication management
• Cerebral, which provides mental health care and may offer medication management depending on the medication, clinician, and location
• Klarity Health, which connects patients with mental health providers and medication management services
• Talkiatry, an insurance-focused psychiatric care platform where medication options depend on the clinician and your treatment needs
• Bicycle Health, which specializes in opioid use disorder treatment
• Ophelia, which focuses on opioid use disorder treatment
• Some Sesame providers, where controlled medication prescribing depends on the individual clinician and service

Availability can change by state, medication, and provider. A platform advertising ADHD or psychiatric care does not mean every patient will receive a controlled prescription.

Several general telehealth platforms either restrict or do not routinely offer controlled substance prescriptions.

These include:

• August AI
• Some general urgent care services
• Platforms that focus primarily on short-term treatment for common conditions

What about August AI?

August AI does not prescribe controlled substances by policy.

That includes medications such as Adderall, Xanax, oxycodone, and other DEA-scheduled drugs.

Instead, August AI focuses on common conditions where non-controlled first-line treatment may be appropriate.

What August AI can prescribe

August AI focuses on non-controlled everyday treatments for more than 40 common conditions. Depending on your symptoms, medical history, and the clinician's evaluation, treatment options may include:

• Antibiotics for conditions such as UTIs, sinus infections, strep throat, and cellulitis
• Antifungal medications for yeast infections, jock itch, and ringworm
• Hormonal medications for conditions such as female pattern hair loss, PCOS, and hormonal acne
• Topical treatments for eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and melasma
• Non-controlled anxiety medications such as buspirone or hydroxyzine when clinically appropriate
• Non-controlled sleep medications such as trazodone or doxepin when appropriate
• Blood pressure medications
• Diabetes medications
• Migraine treatments such as sumatriptan and rizatriptan

The clinician still decides whether a prescription is appropriate. A telehealth visit does not guarantee that you will receive medication.

For common conditions that do not require controlled medication or an in-person physical exam, August AI Online Urgent Care offers a $39 flat-fee visit with a US-licensed clinician.

When you need in-person care

Telehealth is useful for many conditions, but it is not the right setting for every medication or medical problem.

You may need in-person care for:

• Chronic pain management requiring strong opioid medications
• Complex psychiatric conditions requiring close medication monitoring
• Advanced substance use treatment
• Situations where a physical examination or testing is needed before treatment can be safely started
• New or severe symptoms that cannot be properly assessed through a virtual visit

For controlled medication needs, the right next step may be an in-person psychiatrist, addiction medicine specialist, pain management clinician, or another specialist depending on the condition being treated.

Can telehealth prescribe pain medication?

Yes, some pain medications can legally be prescribed through telehealth under the current rules.

This can include controlled medications such as oxycodone, morphine, or hydrocodone when the prescribing clinician and telemedicine arrangement meet applicable federal and state requirements.

But legality is only one part of the decision.

Chronic pain usually requires more than a one-time prescription. It may involve physical exams, imaging, follow-up visits, medication monitoring, and a broader treatment plan. For that reason, ongoing pain management is often better handled by an in-person pain specialist.

Telehealth may still play a role in follow-up care, depending on the clinician and your treatment plan.

Conclusion

Can telehealth prescribe controlled substances? Yes. Under the current DEA telemedicine flexibilities, eligible clinicians can prescribe certain Schedule II through V controlled medications through telehealth without a prior in-person visit through December 31, 2026, subject to federal and state requirements.

That does not mean every platform prescribes them.

Specialized services may handle ADHD medications, psychiatric controlled medications, or buprenorphine treatment. General telehealth platforms may choose not to prescribe controlled substances at all.

August AI is one of those services by policy. It focuses on non-controlled treatment for more than 40 common conditions with a $39 flat-fee visit.

If you need help with a non-controlled condition today, August AI Online Urgent Care can connect you with a US-licensed clinician who can evaluate your symptoms and decide whether treatment or a prescription is appropriate.