Detailed Psychiatry Medications List with Legal Status for Online Prescription in India
Detailed Psychiatry Medications List with Legal Status for Online Prescription in India (as per Telemedicine Guidelines 2020 and Schedule X / NDPS Act 1985):
This list covers Antidepressants, Benzodiazepines, Antipsychotics, Mood Stabilizers, and Miscellaneous Psychiatry Medications.
🔴 LEGEND
✅ Allowed online (video or follow-up)
⚠️ Allowed only after in-person/video consult, follow-ups permitted
🚫 Prohibited from online prescription (Schedule X / NDPS / Notifiable under law)
I. ANTIDEPRESSANTS (SSRIs, SNRIs, Others)
| Medication | Class | Legal Status (India Online) |
|---|---|---|
| Escitalopram | SSRI | ✅ Allowed (video / follow-up) |
| Sertraline | SSRI | ✅ Allowed (video / follow-up) |
| Fluoxetine | SSRI | ✅ Allowed (video / follow-up) |
| Paroxetine | SSRI | ✅ Allowed (video / follow-up) |
| Fluvoxamine | SSRI | ✅ Allowed (video / follow-up) |
| Duloxetine | SNRI | ✅ Allowed (video / follow-up) |
| Desvenlafaxine | SNRI | ✅ Allowed (video / follow-up) |
| Venlafaxine | SNRI | ✅ Allowed (video / follow-up) |
| Amitriptyline | TCA | ✅ Allowed (video / follow-up) |
| Nortriptyline | TCA | ✅ Allowed (video / follow-up) |
| Mirtazapine | NaSSA | ✅ Allowed (video / follow-up) |
| Bupropion | NDRI | ✅ Allowed (video / follow-up) |
| Vortioxetine | Serotonin Modulator | ✅ Allowed (video / follow-up) |
| Agomelatine | Melatonergic | ✅ Allowed (video / follow-up) |
Summary: ✅ All antidepressants (SSRI, SNRI, TCA, NaSSA, others) can be prescribed online via video consultation.
II. BENZODIAZEPINES (Schedule X / NDPS Act)
| Medication | Class | Legal Status (India Online) |
|---|---|---|
| Clonazepam | Benzodiazepine | 🚫 Prohibited (Schedule X) |
| Lorazepam | Benzodiazepine | 🚫 Prohibited (Schedule X) |
| Alprazolam | Benzodiazepine | 🚫 Prohibited (Schedule X) |
| Diazepam | Benzodiazepine | 🚫 Prohibited (Schedule X) |
| Nitrazepam | Benzodiazepine | 🚫 Prohibited (Schedule X) |
| Chlordiazepoxide | Benzodiazepine | 🚫 Prohibited (Schedule X) |
| Etizolam | Thienodiazepine (Short term) | ✅ Allowed with caution (video) |
Summary: 🚫 Benzodiazepines cannot be prescribed online except Etizolam (less regulated, allowed short-term).
III. ANTIPSYCHOTICS
| Medication | Class | Legal Status (India Online) |
|---|---|---|
| Risperidone | Atypical | ⚠️ Allowed follow-up after video/in-person |
| Olanzapine | Atypical | ⚠️ Allowed follow-up after video/in-person |
| Quetiapine | Atypical | ⚠️ Allowed follow-up after video/in-person |
| Aripiprazole | Atypical | ⚠️ Allowed follow-up after video/in-person |
| Amisulpride | Atypical | ⚠️ Allowed follow-up after video/in-person |
| Paliperidone | Atypical | ⚠️ Allowed follow-up after video/in-person |
| Clozapine | Atypical | ⚠️ In-person only preferred for safety |
| Haloperidol | Typical | ⚠️ Allowed follow-up after video/in-person |
| Chlorpromazine | Typical | ⚠️ Allowed follow-up after video/in-person |
| Zuclopenthixol Depot | Typical (Depot) | 🚫 Not online; depot requires physical administration |
Summary: ⚠️ Oral antipsychotics allowed post-video / in-person consult. No depot antipsychotics online.
IV. MOOD STABILIZERS / ANTI-EPILEPTICS
| Medication | Class | Legal Status (India Online) |
|---|---|---|
| Lithium Carbonate | Mood Stabilizer | ⚠️ Follow-up only (labs required) |
| Sodium Valproate | Anticonvulsant | ⚠️ Follow-up only |
| Lamotrigine | Anticonvulsant | ⚠️ Follow-up only |
| Carbamazepine | Anticonvulsant | ⚠️ Follow-up only |
| Oxcarbazepine | Anticonvulsant | ⚠️ Follow-up only |
Summary: ⚠️ Mood stabilizers require ongoing labs; initiate in-person/video. Follow-up allowed.
V. STIMULANTS & MISCELLANEOUS (Strictly Prohibited Online)
| Medication | Class | Legal Status (India Online) |
|---|---|---|
| Methylphenidate | Stimulant (NDPS) | 🚫 Prohibited (NDPS Act) |
| Atomoxetine | Non-stimulant ADHD | ✅ Allowed (video / follow-up) |
| Modafinil | Wakefulness agent | 🚫 Prohibited (NDPS/controlled) |
| Armodafinil | Wakefulness agent | 🚫 Prohibited |
| Donepezil | Cognitive Enhancer | ✅ Allowed |
| Memantine | Cognitive Enhancer | ✅ Allowed |
| Rivastigmine | Cognitive Enhancer | ✅ Allowed |
Summary: 🚫 Stimulants not allowed online; non-stimulants like Atomoxetine allowed.
VI. ANTI-ANXIETY & OTHER ANXIOLYTICS
| Medication | Class | Legal Status (India Online) |
|---|---|---|
| Buspirone | Non-benzo anxiolytic | ✅ Allowed (video / follow-up) |
| Propranolol | Beta-blocker | ✅ Allowed |
| Atenolol | Beta-blocker | ✅ Allowed |
| Hydroxyzine | Antihistamine | ✅ Allowed |
| Pregabalin | Anticonvulsant | ⚠️ Allowed follow-up |
| Gabapentin | Anticonvulsant | ⚠️ Allowed follow-up |
| Clonidine | Alpha-agonist | ✅ Allowed (video / follow-up) |
Summary: ✅ Non-controlled anxiolytics permitted. ⚠️ Pregabalin/Gabapentin follow-up only.
Summary Table: Quick Reference
| Category | Allowed Online? |
|---|---|
| SSRIs / SNRIs / TCAs | ✅ Yes |
| Mood Stabilizers | ⚠️ Follow-up only |
| Antipsychotics (Oral) | ⚠️ Follow-up only |
| Antipsychotics (Depot) | 🚫 No |
| Benzodiazepines | 🚫 No (except Etizolam ✅) |
| Stimulants / Modafinil | 🚫 No |
| Anxiolytics (Non-Benzo) | ✅ Yes |
| Cognitive Enhancers | ✅ Yes |
Final Practical Recommendations for Psychiatrists
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Always use video for first consult on major psychiatric conditions.
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Benzodiazepines, stimulants, opioids require physical consult & prescription.
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Document clearly: diagnosis, consent, medication rationale.
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Telemedicine is safe and ethical within legal limits.
About Dr. Srinivas Rajkumar T
As a Consultant Psychiatrist with expertise in deprescribing, pharmacology, and ethical telepsychiatry, I help patients navigate complex medication decisions both online and offline.
📍 Apollo Clinics Velachery & Tambaram
📞 +91 85951 55808
💻 Online Consultations Available