Question

Which drugs are available only with a prescription? Check all that apply.

Schedule I Schedule II Schedule III Schedule IV Schedule V

Answer 1

According to the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), drugs are divide in five categories, which are called "schedules", and they are numbered according to the potential abuse of them.

So, Schedule I are drugs with the highest potential for abuse, and they cannot be used for medical purposes, as heroin, Lysergic acid diethylamide, Peyote and others.

Schedule II are drugs have high potential for abuse, but less than Schedule I drugs, so they are also considered as dangerous, like cocaine, methamphetamine, Ritalin, Oxycodone, and others.

Schedule III are drugs with moderate potential for physical and psychological dependence as Anabolic steroids, Testosterone, Ketamine, and others.

Schedule IV are drugs with low dependence, and they can be used to medical purposes as Xanax, Soma, Darvon, and other meds that can be acquired with prescription.

Schedule V are drugs with the lowest dependence potential, these are often for medical purpose to treat antidiarrheal, antitussive, and analgesic purposes as Lomotil, Motofen and Lyrica. Motofen, for example can be purchased only with prescription.

Therefore, Schedule IV and V are drugs that need description.