Table 1.
Schedules of controlled substances1
| Schedule | Definitions | Examples |
| Schedule I | High abuse potential with no accepted medical use; medications within this schedule may not be prescribed, dispensed, or administered | Heroin, marijuana, ecstasy, gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) |
| Schedule II | High abuse potential with severe psychological or physical dependence; however, these medications have an accepted medical use and may be prescribed, dispensed, or administered | Morphine, codeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, methadone, oxycodone, fentanyl, methylphenidate, pentobarbital |
| Schedule III | Intermediate abuse potential (ie, less than Schedule II but more than Schedule IV medications) | Hydrocodone/acetaminophen 5 mg/500 mg or 10 mg/650 mg; codeine in combination with acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen; anabolic steroids; ketamine |
| Schedule IV | Abuse potential less than Schedule II but more than Schedule V medications | Propoxyphene, butorphanol, pentazocine, alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam, midazolam, phenobarbital, pemoline, sibutramine |
| Schedule V | Medications with the least potential for abuse among the controlled substances | Robitussin AC, Phenergan with codeine |