Schedule G Drugs List 2026: Meaning, Red-Box Label, Prescription Rules and the Planned Shift to Schedule H
By the Trumac Healthcare team, Panchkula · PCD pharma franchise company since 2007 · Updated 14 November 2026 · About us · WhatsApp +91 90416 77932
हिंदी में: शेड्यूल G की दवाएँ वे हैं जिन्हें डॉक्टर की निगरानी के बिना लेना खतरनाक है – जैसे मेटफॉर्मिन, ग्लिबेनक्लामाइड, इंसुलिन और क्लोरफेनिरामाइन। इनके पैक पर लाल बॉक्स में चेतावनी छपी होती है।
It is dangerous to take this preparation except under medical supervision.
Label wording in force since 1 November 2018 (G.S.R. 408(E), 26 April 2018): legible black letters inside a completely red rectangular box, on the innermost container and every outer cover.
Schedule G drugs list (all 61 entries by group)
Entries with “its salts” or “derivatives” cover more products than the names suggest. Several names are printed in old spellings in the Rules; the current name is used here with the printed spelling in brackets.
| Group | Substances in Schedule G |
|---|---|
| Oral antidiabetics and insulin | Metformin; Glibenclamide; Chlorpropamide; Tolbutamide; Carbutamide; Phenformin (withdrawn in India); Insulin – all types |
| First-generation antihistamines | Chlorpheniramine; Pheniramine; Diphenhydramine; Bromodiphenhydramine; Cyproheptadine; Doxylamine succinate; Promethazine; Meclozine (meclizine); Buclizine; Chlorcyclizine; Antazoline; Clemizole; Diphenylpyraline; Isothipendyl; Mebhydrolin napadisylate; Phenindamine (printed “Phenindomine”); Thenalidine; Triprolidine (printed “Triprolidone”); tetra-N-substituted derivatives of ethylenediamine or propylenediamine |
| Anticonvulsants | Hydantoin and its derivatives (including phenytoin); 5-phenylhydantoin derivatives; Primidone (printed “Primadone”); Ethosuximide; Methsuximide; Paramethadione; Phenacemide; Troxidone (trimethadione) |
| Diuretics | Chlorothiazide and other benzothiadiazine derivatives; Chlorthalidone and other chlorbenzene derivatives; Ethacrynic acid; Quinethazone (printed “Quinthazone”) |
| Anticancer and cytotoxic drugs | Aminopterin; Bleomycin; Busulphan; Chlorambucil; Cisplatin; Cyclophosphamide; Cytarabine; Daunorubicin; Doxorubicin hydrochloride; Hydroxyurea; Lomustine hydrochloride; Mannomustine; Mercaptopurine; Mustine; Procarbazine hydrochloride; Sarcolysine (melphalan); Tamoxifen citrate; Testolactone; Thiotepa; Tretamine; Disodium stilboestrol diphosphate (fosfestrol) |
| Others | Di-isopropyl fluorophosphate (eye); Sodium 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate (mesna) |
Schedule G rules: label, sale and records
- Label: the red-box caution above, on medicines for internal use (oral, injectable, rectal). Topical and external products are excluded by the note to Schedule G.
- Prescription: Rule 65(9) makes Schedule H, H1 and X medicines prescription-only; Schedule G is not named. So a Schedule G-only medicine is not prescription-only by law – but it carries a medical-supervision warning and should be sold on a doctor’s advice.
- Overlap: if a product also contains a Schedule H or H1 molecule (for example glimepiride + metformin), the Rx symbol, the Schedule H or H1 box and those selling rules apply too – see Schedule H drugs and Schedule H1 drug list.
- Records: ordinary purchase and sale records as for any medicine under your drug licence. Separate registers are needed for H1 and X, not for G.
- Misbranding: a pack without the required caution is misbranded under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and can lead to prosecution and licence action.
Schedule G vs H vs H1 vs H2 vs X
| Schedule | What it controls | Typical examples |
|---|---|---|
| G | Caution label – use only under medical supervision | Metformin, glibenclamide, insulin, chlorpheniramine, phenytoin |
| H | Prescription-only sale, Rx symbol and red-box warning | Glimepiride, atorvastatin, amlodipine, pantoprazole – Schedule H |
| H1 | Prescription-only plus a separate H1 register kept 3 years | Newer cephalosporins, tramadol, pregabalin (from 16 Nov 2026) – H1 list |
| H2 | QR/bar code on the pack for authentication | Vaccines, NDPS and anticancer drugs from 1 Jul 2027; antimicrobials from 1 Jul 2028 |
| X | Narcotic-type controls: Form 20G licence, duplicate prescription, locked storage | Amphetamine-type and barbiturate-type substances – Schedule X list |
Trumac brands containing Schedule G molecules
Oral products in our range that contain a Schedule G molecule and carry the caution box. Many diabetic combinations also contain a Schedule H molecule. Full ranges: cardiac-diabetic PCD franchise, respiratory & cough-cold, gynae, neuro.
| Molecule | Our brands |
|---|---|
| Metformin combinations | Glicatus-M · Glimstay-M · Glimstay-MP · Myowell-M · Tenglos-M · Tlig-M · Tlig-M Forte · Vildafact-M · Dapacam-M · Emparon-M · Glibicam-Forte · Glizest-M |
| Glibenclamide | Glibicam-Forte |
| Chlorpheniramine (cough-cold) | Claritus-CPM · Cofar-A Junior · Rejenic · Cofar-D Junior and Cofar-D · Coldicam-Plus |
| Cyproheptadine | Trucip · Trucip-TS · |
| Doxylamine + pyridoxine | DXN · DXN-Forte |
| Meclizine | Meclifix |
| Diphenhydramine (cough syrup) | T-Dryl |
| Chlorthalidone combinations | Telimike · Ctdone · Metoron-CT · Olmac · Telmicam · Telmicam-CT · Telmicam-Trio |
| Phenytoin | Phenyrest |
Frequently asked questions
What is a Schedule G drug?
A Schedule G drug is a medicine containing a substance listed in Schedule G of the Drugs Rules, 1945 – mainly oral antidiabetics and insulin, first-generation antihistamines, some anticonvulsants, diuretics and anticancer drugs. Its label must carry the caution that it is dangerous to take the preparation except under medical supervision.
What is written on a Schedule G label?
Since 1 November 2018 (G.S.R. 408(E)) the label reads “SCHEDULE G PRESCRIPTION DRUG – CAUTION: It is dangerous to take this preparation except under medical supervision”, in legible black letters inside a completely red rectangular box, on the inner container and every outer cover.
Is metformin a Schedule G or Schedule H drug?
Metformin is listed in Schedule G, not Schedule H. Combinations such as glimepiride + metformin or gliclazide + metformin also contain a Schedule H molecule, so the Schedule H Rx label and selling rules apply to them as well.
Is a prescription required for Schedule G drugs?
Rule 65(9) of the Drugs Rules makes Schedule H, H1 and X medicines prescription-only; Schedule G is not named. A medicine that is only in Schedule G must carry the caution label, but most Schedule G medicines should still be used only on a doctor’s advice – and many products also contain a Schedule H molecule.
Which antihistamines are in Schedule G?
First-generation antihistamines such as chlorpheniramine, pheniramine, diphenhydramine, cyproheptadine, doxylamine, promethazine, meclizine, buclizine and triprolidine, plus a class entry for tetra-N-substituted ethylenediamine and propylenediamine derivatives.
Do topical products need the Schedule G box?
No. The note to Schedule G covers preparations for internal use; products meant for topical or external use are excluded. A diphenhydramine cough syrup carries the box, a diphenhydramine cream does not.
Is Schedule G being merged into Schedule H?
The Drugs Technical Advisory Board recommended in its 92nd meeting (24 April 2025) that all Schedule G drugs be shifted to Schedule H, and referred to this in its 93rd meeting (16 February 2026). A recommendation has to be notified by the government before it applies; check the latest Gazette before changing labels.
What is the difference between Schedule G and Schedule H?
Schedule G controls the caution on the label for drugs that are risky without medical supervision. Schedule H makes a medicine prescription-only, with the Rx symbol and a red-box warning, and requires the chemist to keep sale records against the prescription.
Reference guide for chemists, distributors and PCD partners, not medical advice. Schedules change by Gazette notification – check the current Drugs Rules, 1945 and your State Drugs Control department before printing labels or changing sale practice. Sources: Drugs Rules, 1945 (Schedule G and note, rules 65 and 97), G.S.R. 408(E) of 26 April 2018, minutes of the 92nd and 93rd DTAB meetings.
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