July 16, 2009 1:24

US Drug Administration may restrict drug found in Michael Jackson's home

Propofol could be declared a controlled substance

Photo Gallery: Michael Jackson
Photo: Pa Photos

The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) may put new restrictions on one of the drugs found in Michael Jackson's home after his death.

The DEA may declare the anesthetic propofol a controlled substance, which would impose restrictions on prescribing and distributing the drug, a DEA spokesman confirmed today (July 15).

The drug, which goes by the brand name Diprivan, was reportedly used by Jackson to aid insomnia. Use of it can become addictive, and has been increasingly linked to fatalities in recent years, reports the Associated Press.

It can be a lengthy process to get a drug declared a controlled substance. Already on the list of controlled substances are heroin and codeine.

Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray, is reportedly being investigated to determine which drugs he had been prescribing for the pop star, and if they may have played a part in his death.

--By our Los Angeles staff.
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