SCHEDULE III IV V DRUGS Classification and Drug

SCHEDULE III, IV & V DRUGS Classification and Drug Lists

SCHEDULE III DRUGS • Schedule III includes controlled substances that have a currently accepted medical use in the United States and a generally moderate risk of addiction or abuse. • Schedule III drugs are considered to have a lower potential for abuse than Schedule I or Schedule II drugs. • However, note that drugs are sometimes categorized in Schedule III because they have a moderate to low risk of physical dependence but a high risk of psychological dependence.

EXAMPLES OF SCHEDULE III DRUGS • Now let's take a look at some examples of Schedule III drugs. Besides anabolic steroids, Schedule III includes: • Andro. Gel, which is used as a hormone replacement therapy in men. The gel is a topical testosterone for men with low levels of this hormone. Testosterone supplements can be harmful to men with normal hormone levels, but these drugs are subject to the same type of abuse as anabolic steroids. People sometimes abuse these drugs in an attempt to gain strength and muscle mass.

EXAMPLES OF SCHEDULE III DRUGS • Xyrem, which is a specific preparation of GHB, or gamma hydroxybutyric acid. GHB is a central nervous system depressant, meaning it slows brain activity in order to aid ailments such as anxiety and insomnia. • These depressants are also sometimes known as sedatives or tranquilizers. Xyrem is mostly used to treat daytime sleepiness in people with narcolepsy. It's in Schedule III, but all other forms of GHB are in Schedule I. Note that GHB is also sometimes known as the 'date rape' drug.

EXAMPLES OF SCHEDULE III DRUGS • Didrex, which is a diet drug containing benzphetamine. Benzphetamine is a stimulant similar to amphetamine, meaning it increases dopamine levels in the brain, which can encourage pleasure and focus. Didrex can be habitforming, or ripe for psychological dependence. • Note that medications containing hydrocodone, like Vicodin, were recently moved from Schedule III to Schedule II. This means they now require a written prescription and can no longer be filled by phone order or electronic submission. Also, refills require a new prescription. Hydrocodone is an opioid drug, meaning it reduces pain signals in the brain and affects the areas of the brain that control emotion and recognize reward.

SCHEDULE IV DRUGS • Today we're examining Schedule IV. This schedule includes drugs with a currently accepted medical use in the U. S. and a low potential for abuse in comparison to the drugs in Schedule III.

SOME EXAMPLES OF SCHEDULE IV CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES INCLUDE: • Xanax and Valium are benzodiazepines used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. They work by lessening any abnormal excitement in the brain and, therefore, bring a calming effect. • Ambien and Lunesta are short-acting sedative-hypnotics used to treat insomnia by inducing sleepiness. • Provigil and Nuvigil are stimulant-like drugs used to treat awaketime sleepiness in people with narcolepsy, sleep apnea or odd work schedules.

SCHEDULE IV DRUGS • Schedule IV drugs are available only through prescription. The prescription can be written, called in to the pharmacy or submitted electronically. Schedule IV drugs can be refilled if the prescription allows, but may not be refilled more than five times in any 6 -month period. After that, a new prescription is required.

SCHEDULE V DRUGS • Schedule V includes drugs with a current medical use in the U. S. and a low potential for abuse. They are considered to be the least dangerous of the controlled substances. Specifically, Schedule V drugs have a lower potential for abuse than Schedule IV drugs. • Schedule V drugs are available by doctor's prescription. The prescription can be written, called-in or transmitted electronically. Schedule V prescriptions may be refilled if authorized by the prescribing doctor.

SCHEDULE V DRUGS • Let's look at a few examples of Schedule V drugs. We've mentioned medicines containing a relatively small amount of codeine. Codeine, in general, is a Schedule II drug, meaning it has a recognized medical use but a high potential for abuse. Drugs can only be placed in Schedule V if they contain no more than 200 milligrams of codeine. • Codeine is an opioid drug, meaning it reduces pain signals in the brain and affects the areas of the brain that control emotion and recognize reward. Opioids are also sometimes called 'narcotics. ' Schedule V drugs contain limited quantities of narcotics.

SCHEDULE V DRUGS • Lomotil, which is a medicine used to treat diarrhea. It's a controlled substance because it contains diphenoxylate, which is a narcotic related to Demerol. • Lyrica, which is mostly used to treat anxiety and pain. It's popularly prescribed for diabetic nerve pain and for fibromyalgia. Though Lyrica is not a narcotic painkiller, it can produce a euphoric feeling and a sense of relaxation. • Vimpat, which is used to treat seizures in patients with epilepsy. It contains lacosamide, which is similar to the Schedule IV drug Xanax is a benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. Benzodiazepines lessen any abnormal excitement in the brain and therefore bring a calming effect. • Schedule V is the smallest schedule. It includes only ten substances.