What are class 3 drugs list?: A Guide to Schedule III Controlled Substances

October 11, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Schedule III substances have an accepted medical use but carry a moderate to low potential for physical dependence and a high potential for psychological dependence. This guide will provide a detailed what are class 3 drugs list, explaining their characteristics, common examples, and regulatory controls.

Quick Summary

Schedule III drugs have accepted medical uses but present a moderate to low potential for physical dependence and a high risk of psychological dependence. Examples include certain opioid combination products, ketamine, and anabolic steroids, which are subject to specific legal restrictions and refill limits.

Key Points

Definition: Schedule III drugs have an accepted medical use but carry a moderate to low potential for physical dependence and a high potential for psychological dependence.
Drug Scheduling: The DEA places controlled substances into five schedules based on their medical use and abuse potential, with Schedule I being the highest and Schedule V being the lowest.
List of Examples: Common Schedule III drugs include ketamine, anabolic steroids, testosterone, and combination products containing limited quantities of codeine or hydrocodone.
Abuse Potential: While less dangerous than Schedule I and II drugs, misuse of Schedule III substances can lead to significant psychological and moderate physical dependence.
Prescription Regulations: Prescriptions for Schedule III substances have specific rules, including a limit of five refills within a six-month period.
Medical Uses: These substances are used for legitimate medical purposes, such as pain management, anesthesia, and treating hormone deficiencies.

The DEA's Drug Scheduling System

The United States Controlled Substances Act (CSA) organizes drugs, substances, and precursor chemicals into five distinct schedules based on their medical use, abuse potential, and potential for dependence. This federal classification system is enforced by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and dictates the legal restrictions on how these substances are manufactured, distributed, and prescribed. The schedules are numbered I through V, with Schedule I representing the highest potential for abuse and no accepted medical use, and Schedule V representing the lowest potential for abuse.

Schedule I: High potential for abuse, no accepted medical use. Examples: Heroin, LSD, MDMA.
Schedule II: High potential for abuse, leading to severe physical or psychological dependence. Accepted medical use exists, often with severe restrictions. Examples: Cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, oxycodone.
Schedule III: Moderate to low potential for physical dependence but high psychological dependence. Accepted medical use exists. Examples: Ketamine, anabolic steroids.
Schedule IV: Low potential for abuse relative to Schedule III. Accepted medical use exists. Examples: Alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium).
Schedule V: Lowest potential for abuse among controlled substances. Accepted medical use exists. Examples: Cough preparations with limited quantities of codeine.

Defining Schedule III Controlled Substances

Substances placed in Schedule III occupy an intermediate position in the controlled substances hierarchy. While they have legitimate medical applications, they pose a significant risk of abuse and addiction. The key defining characteristics are:

Accepted Medical Use: These substances are used in medical treatment in the United States.
Moderate to Low Physical Dependence: The risk of developing a physical dependence is lower than with Schedule I or II drugs.
High Psychological Dependence: There is a high potential for psychological dependence if the substance is misused.

This balance of medical utility and abuse risk necessitates strict but less severe regulatory controls compared to Schedule I and II substances.

What are class 3 drugs list?: Common Examples

Schedule III includes various substances with accepted medical uses but potential for abuse.

Opioid Combination Products

This category includes drugs combining limited amounts of narcotics with non-narcotic ingredients. Examples are Tylenol with Codeine (less than 90mg codeine per unit) used for pain and cough, and certain formulations of hydrocodone with acetaminophen. Buprenorphine, used for opioid addiction and pain, is also a Schedule III narcotic, including when combined with naloxone (Suboxone).

Anabolic Steroids and Testosterone

Most anabolic steroids, including testosterone and its derivatives, are classified as Schedule III due to their abuse potential. They are used medically for conditions like delayed puberty and muscle wasting but are often misused for performance enhancement.

Ketamine

Ketamine, a potent anesthetic, is a non-narcotic Schedule III substance. It is used for surgery and depression treatment but is also known recreationally for its dissociative effects.

Other Depressants and Stimulants

Schedule III also includes some other depressants and stimulants. Examples are benzphetamine and phendimetrazine, stimulants used for weight loss, and butabarbital, a barbiturate depressant for insomnia.

Legal Restrictions and Refill Limitations

Regulations for Schedule III drugs aim to prevent misuse while allowing legitimate medical use. Key restrictions include:

Prescription Expiration and Refills: Prescriptions are valid for six months and can be refilled up to five times within that period.
Prescription Communication: Prescriptions can be written, faxed, or communicated verbally to the pharmacy.
Penalties: Unlawful possession or distribution of Schedule III substances can result in significant legal consequences.

Comparison Table: DEA Schedules I, II, and III


Feature	Schedule I	Schedule II	Schedule III
Abuse Potential	High	High	Moderate to Low
Medical Use	None accepted	Accepted, but with severe restrictions	Accepted
Dependence Potential	Severe physical and psychological	Severe physical and psychological	Moderate to low physical, high psychological
Refill Restrictions	Cannot be prescribed	No refills allowed	Up to 5 refills within 6 months
Prescription Type	Not applicable	Written or electronic only (in most cases)	Oral, written, or electronic
Common Examples	Heroin, LSD	Oxycodone, Fentanyl	Ketamine, Anabolic Steroids

Conclusion

Understanding the what are class 3 drugs list is important for recognizing substances with legitimate medical uses alongside a substantial risk of psychological dependency and moderate physical dependence. The DEA's system, particularly Schedule III regulations, balances patient access with abuse prevention. Proper medical supervision and adherence to prescription guidelines are crucial for safe use. For further information, the DEA's official website is a valuable resource.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference lies in the abuse and dependence potential. Schedule II drugs have a high potential for abuse leading to severe physical or psychological dependence, while Schedule III drugs have less abuse potential, leading to moderate or low physical dependence but high psychological dependence.

No, a prescription for a Schedule III drug is limited to a maximum of five refills within a six-month period from the date it was issued.

Yes, all anabolic steroids, including testosterone, are classified as Schedule III controlled substances due to their potential for abuse.

Ketamine is medically used as an anesthetic, particularly in veterinary and pediatric care, and for treating depression. It is a Schedule III drug because its dissociative and hallucinogenic effects give it a potential for abuse, leading to psychological dependence.

Schedule III prescriptions can be phoned in, faxed, or sent electronically, and they allow for refills. In contrast, Schedule II prescriptions typically require a written or electronic prescription and cannot be refilled.

Products containing less than 90 milligrams of codeine per dosage unit, such as Tylenol with Codeine, are on the Schedule III list.

Yes, misuse of Schedule III drugs can lead to significant psychological dependence and, in some cases, physical dependence, which can result in addiction.