Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Drug Scheduling

In the USA the Controlled Substances Act (1971) regulates the manufacturing, importation, distribution and dispensing of drugs that have the potential to be abused. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is responsible for enforcing compliance with that Act. The legislation created five schedules (classifications) based on the drug’s potential for abuse and dependency potential and its medical value:

Schedule I:
These drugs have a high abuse potential with psychological and physical dependency with no accepted medical use. They have a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug even under medical supervision. Those in this schedule may not be prescribed, dispensed, or administered. There is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision. It is illegal to manufacture, distribute, or dispense, or possess with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense, a controlled substance listed in this schedule.
Examples include cannabis, heroin, LSD, ecstasy

Schedule II:
These drugs have high abuse potential with severe psychological or physical dependence. However, these medications have an accepted medical use and may be prescribed, dispensed, or administered. Schedule II drugs may not receive a refill at the pharmacy
Examples include fentanyl, oxycodone, codiene, morphine, amphetamine, pentobarbital, Ritalin.

Schedule III:
These drugs have an intermediate or moderate abuse potential (ie, less than Schedule II but more than Schedule IV).
Examples include anabolic steroids, testosterone, ketamine, vicodin

Schedule IV:
These drugs have abuse potential less than Schedule II but more than Schedule V medications. Control measures are similar to those for Schedule III. Prescriptions for Schedule IV drugs may be refilled up to five times within a 6 month period.
Examples include diazepam, tramadol, lorazepam

Schedule V:
These medications with the least potential for abuse among the controlled substances.
Examples include pregabalin, Diphenoxylate/atropine, Lyrica

Medicine Schedules in Other Countries:

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