Drug Schedules

Schedule I Drugs

Schedule I drugs have no current accepted medical usefulness and have a high potential for abuse. Normally, Schedule I drugs cannot be prescribed. Some examples of substances listed in Schedule I are heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), marijuana (cannabis), peyote, methaqualone, and 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ("Ecstasy").

Schedule II Drugs

Schedule II drugs have limited medical use, high risk for abuse, and high risk for physical or psychological dependence. Prescriptions for these drugs are only given in writing and cannot be renewed. Examples of Schedule II narcotics include hydromorphone (Dilaudid), methadone (Dolophine), meperidine (Demerol), oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet), fentanyl (Sublimaze, Duragesic), morphine, opium, and codeine. Examples of Schedule II stimulants include amphetamine (Dexedrine, Adderall), methamphetamine (Desoxyn), and methylphenidate (Ritalin).

Schedule III Drugs

Schedule III drugs have less abuse potential than the drugs in Schedules I and II and also have accepted medical usefulness. Prescriptions for Schedule III drugs may be renewed. Examples 471of Schedule III narcotics include combination products containing less than 15 milligrams of hydrocodone per dosage unit (Vicodin), products containing not more than 90 milligrams of codeine per dosage unit (Tylenol with Codeine), and buprenorphine (Suboxone). Examples of Schedule III non-narcotics include benzphetamine (Didrex), phendimetrazine, ketamine, and anabolic steroids such as Depo-Testosterone.

Schedule IV Drugs

Schedule IV drugs have low abuse potential and have accepted medical usefulness. Prescriptions for Schedule IV drugs may be renewed. A patient may have up to five refills of these drugs in a 6-month period. Examples of Schedule IV substances include: alprazolam (Xanax), carisoprodol (Soma), clonazepam (Klonopin), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), midazolam (Versed), temazepam (Restoril), and triazolam (Halcion).

Schedule V Drugs

Schedule V drugs have the lowest abuse potential and have accepted medical usefulness. Some states do require that these drugs be dispensed only by prescription. Under federal law, however, they are available only under controlled circumstances. Examples of Schedule V drugs include cough medicines with codeine. With the misuse and illicit distribution of methamphetamine (pseudoephedrine), many states have passed a law requiring a prescription, or requiring customers to show a photo ID and sign a log book, before pharmacies can dispense any cold remedy containing pseudoephedrine.