Controlled Substances & CSA Schedules

Medically reviewed by Leigh Ann Anderson, PharmD. Last updated on Sep 24, 2024.

The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 is the federal U.S. drug policy under which the manufacture, importation, possession, use and distribution of certain narcotics, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, anabolic steroids and other chemicals is regulated. The CSA was signed into law by President Richard Nixon on October 27, 1970.

Within the CSA there are five controlled substance schedules at the federal level (Schedules I-V) that are used to classify drugs based upon their:

• accepted medical applications in the U.S.
• abuse potential
• safety and potential for addiction

Other factors used to determine scheduling include its scientific evidence of its pharmacological effect (if known), scientific knowledge regarding the drug or other substance, risks to the public health, and whether the substance is an immediate precursor of a substance that is already controlled.

Drugs listed in schedule I have no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States and, therefore, may not be prescribed, administered, or dispensed for medical use. In contrast, drugs listed in schedules II-V have some accepted medical use and may be prescribed, administered, or dispensed for medical use.

The DEA implements the CSA and may prosecute violators of these laws at both the domestic and international level.

The addition, deletion or change of a controlled substance schedule assigned to a medicine or other chemical may be requested by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or from any other interested party via petition to the DEA, which includes:

• The manufacturer of a drug
• A medical society or association
• A pharmacy association
• A public interest group concerned with drug abuse
• A state or local government agency
• An individual citizen

Individuals who order, handle, store, and distribute controlled substances must be registered with the DEA to perform these functions. They must maintain accurate inventories, records and security of the controlled substances.

The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) schedule information displayed applies to substances regulated under federal law. There may be variations in CSA schedules between individual states.

→ What are the rules for controlled substance prescription refills?

Schedule I controlled substances

Schedule I drugs, substances, or chemicals in this schedule have a high potential for abuse, have no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and there is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision.

Examples of Schedule I drugs are: heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), marijuana (cannabis) at the Federal level, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (Ecstasy), methaqualone, and peyote.

→ List of schedule 1 drugs

NOTE: Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, marijuana) is still considered a Schedule 1 drug by the DEA, even though some U.S. states have legalized marijuana for personal, recreational and / or medical use. States that have not authorized marijuana for personal, recreational or medicinal use still may have differing controlled substances laws from the Federal law.

A federal decision to reclassify marijuana is under consideration by the DEA with a final decision expected in 2025.

→ Marijuana: Effects, Medical Uses & Legalization

Schedule II controlled substances

• The substances in this schedule have a high potential for abuse.
• The substances have a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the U.S. or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions.
• Abuse of the drug, substance, or chemical may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.

Examples of Schedule II narcotics include: hydromorphone (Dilaudid), methadone (Dolophine), meperidine (Demerol), oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet), and fentanyl (Sublimaze, Duragesic). Other Schedule II narcotics include: morphine, opium, codeine, and hydrocodone.

Examples of Schedule II stimulants include: amphetamine (Dexedrine, Adderall), methamphetamine (Desoxyn), and methylphenidate (Ritalin).

Other Schedule II substances include: amobarbital, cocaine, glutethimide, and pentobarbital.

→ List of schedule 2 drugs

Schedule III controlled substances

• The substance has a potential for abuse less than the drugs in schedules I and II, but more than but more than Schedule IV.
• The substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the U.S.
• Abuse of the drug, substance, or chemical may lead to a moderate to low potential for physical dependence but high psychological dependence.

Examples of Schedule III narcotics include: products containing less than 90 milligrams of codeine per dosage unit (Tylenol with Codeine #3, brand discontinued), and buprenorphine products used to treat opioid addiction (Suboxone, Brixadi) or chronic pain (Butrans, Belbuca)

Examples of Schedule III non-narcotics include: benzphetamine, phendimetrazine, ketamine, and anabolic steroids such as testosterone (Depo-Testosterone) and oxandrolone.

→ List of schedule 3 drugs

Schedule IV controlled substances

• The substance has a low potential for abuse and low risk of dependence compared to Schedule III.
• The substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the U.S.

Examples of Schedule IV drugs include: alprazolam (Xanax), carisoprodol (Soma), clonazepam (Klonopin), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), difenoxin and atropine (Motofen), midazolam, temazepam (Restoril), tramadol (Conzip), triazolam (Halcion), pentazocine, zolpidem (Ambien).

Many schedule IV drugs are in the benzodiazepine drug class.

→ List of schedule 4 drugs

Schedule V controlled substances

• The substance has a low potential for abuse relative to the drugs in schedule IV.
• The substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the U.S.
• Drugs, substances, or chemicals in schedule V primarily consist of preparations containing limited quantities of certain narcotics. Schedule V drugs are generally used to treat diarrhea, a cough (antitussive) and for analgesic purposes.

Examples of Schedule V substances include: cough preparations containing not more than 200 milligrams of codeine per 100 milliliters, atropine / diphenoxylate (Lomotil), pregabalin (Lyrica) and ezogabine.

Some examples of Schedule V drugs are: cough preparations with less than 200 milligrams of codeine or per 100 milliliters (Robitussin AC), atropine and diphenoxylate (Lomotil), pregabalin (Lyrica), Parepectolin

→ List of schedule 5 drugs

Not controlled

The drug is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer