Therapeutic goods in the United States are regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The classification is based on drug’s potential for abuse, potential for physical and psychological dependence, and medical value.

Under the jurisdiction of the control substance act of the United State of America drugs are categorized according to their potent abuse and are divided into 5 schedules.

1. Schedule I Drugs

  • High potential for abuse.
  • No accepted medical use in the US or lacks accepted safety for use in treatment in the US.
  • May be used for research purposes by properly registered individuals.
S.No.Schedule 1 Drug List
1.Heroin
2.LSD
3.Peyote
4.Ecstacy
5.MDMA
6.GHB
7.Meth
8.Marijuana
9.Methaqualone

2. Schedule II Drugs

  • High potential for abuse.
  • Has a currently accepted medical use in the US.
  • Abuse of substances mainly to serve psychological or physical dependency.
S.No.Schedule II Drug List
1.Opium
2.Crystal Meth
3.Cocaine
4.Crack
5.Methadone
6.Morphine
7.Oxycodone (OxyCotin)
8.Demerol
9.Adderall
10.Ritalin
11.Phencyclidine (PCP)
12.Fentanyl
13.Amobarbital
14.Dextroamphetamine
15.Dronabinol

3. Schedule III Drugs

  • Abuse potential less than substance in schedule I or schedule II.
  • Has currently accepted medical use in the US 
  • Abuse of substances may lead to moderate to low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
S.No.Schedule III Drug List
1.Anabolic Steroids (Oxandrin)
2.Vicodin
3.Lorcet
4.Tylenol or Asprin with codeine
5.Ketamine (Special K)

4. Schedule IV Drugs

  • Abuse potential less than substance in schedule III
  • Has a currently accepted medical use in the US.
  • Abuse of substances may lead to limited physical and psychological dependency relative to substances in schedule III.
S.No.Schedule IV Drug List
1.Diazepam (Valium)
2.Rohypnol (Roofy)
3.Xanax
4.Talwin
5.Equanil
6.Chonazepam (Klonopin)
7.Tramadol
8.Phenobarbital
9.Alprazolam
10.Propoxyphene (Darvon)
11.Meprobamate (Miltown)
12.Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)

5. Schedule V Drugs

  • Low potential for abuse relative to schedule IV. 
  • Has a currently accepted medical use in the US.
  • Some schedule  V products may be sold in Limited amounts without a prescription at the description of the pharmacist; however if a physician wishes a patient to receive one of these products, it is preferable to a prescription.
S.No.Schedule V Drug List
1.Robitussin AC
2.Phenergan with Codeine
3.Buprenorphine

Read More: Control mechanism of the controlled substances act

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