Which DEA schedule is used for drugs with moderate abuse potential and accepted medical use?

Which DEA schedule is used for drugs with moderate abuse potential and accepted medical use?

• A. Schedule I
• B. Schedule II
• C. Schedule III
• D. Schedule IV

Answer: (C)

Drugs are classified by how likely they are to be abused and whether they have an accepted medical use. The category for substances with a moderate potential for abuse and a currently accepted medical use is Schedule III. This means they can be prescribed and used medically, but carry a lower risk of dependence than substances with higher schedules. Examples include certain analgesics that combine limited amounts of codeine with acetaminophen and other medications like buprenorphine or testosterone. In contrast, substances in Schedule I have no accepted medical use and the highest abuse potential, while Schedule IV has even lower abuse potential than Schedule III.

Drugs are classified by how likely they are to be abused and whether they have an accepted medical use. The category for substances with a moderate potential for abuse and a currently accepted medical use is Schedule III. This means they can be prescribed and used medically, but carry a lower risk of dependence than substances with higher schedules. Examples include certain analgesics that combine limited amounts of codeine with acetaminophen and other medications like buprenorphine or testosterone. In contrast, substances in Schedule I have no accepted medical use and the highest abuse potential, while Schedule IV has even lower abuse potential than Schedule III.