A Schedule 3 drug is defined as a substance with a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence. These drugs have a potential for abuse that is less than Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 drugs but more than Schedule 4 drugs. Schedule 3 drugs have a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse of these drugs may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence
. Examples of Schedule 3 drugs include:
- Narcotics containing no more than 90 milligrams of codeine per dose, such as Tylenol with codeine and Vicodin
- Buprenorphine (Suboxone)
- Anabolic steroids
- Ketamine
- Dronabinol (synthetic THC)
- Phendimetrazine
These drugs are regulated under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and are subject to specific legal controls due to their abuse potential and dependence risk
