What is an example of a class 3 drug? Ketamine and Anabolic Steroids Explained

October 14, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), there are five schedules for controlled substances, with Schedule I having the highest potential for abuse. This framework helps contextualize what is an example of a class 3 drug, a category defined by a moderate-to-low potential for dependence. These substances, unlike more restrictive Schedule I or II drugs, possess accepted medical uses in the United States.

Quick Summary

Schedule III drugs are controlled substances with an accepted medical use but a moderate to low potential for physical or high psychological dependence. Key examples include Ketamine, anabolic steroids, and certain products containing codeine. Their regulation is determined by the DEA, which outlines specific prescription, dispensing, and legal requirements for these medications.

Key Points

Moderate Abuse Potential: Schedule III drugs have a lower potential for abuse than Schedule I and II drugs, but a higher potential than Schedule IV and V.
Ketamine as an Anesthetic: A well-known example of a class 3 drug, Ketamine is used medically as a general anesthetic and for procedural sedation.
Anabolic Steroids for Medical Use: Anabolic steroids, like testosterone, are Schedule III substances prescribed for conditions like delayed puberty and muscle wasting diseases.
Dependence Profile: Abuse of Schedule III substances may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or, more commonly, high psychological dependence.
Medical and Recreational Use Overlap: For drugs like Ketamine, there is a risk of misuse that can lead to addiction due to its hallucinogenic and dissociative effects.
Legal Controls: Prescription regulations for Schedule III drugs are less restrictive than for Schedule II, allowing for refills and different prescription methods, but misuse carries legal penalties.

The Drug Enforcement Administration's Drug Scheduling System

In the United States, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) categorizes controlled substances into five distinct schedules, or classes, based on their accepted medical use, potential for abuse, and potential for physical or psychological dependence. The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) of 1970 established this system to regulate the manufacture, distribution, and use of these drugs. This scheduling is crucial for healthcare providers, pharmacists, and law enforcement, as it dictates how a substance must be handled and prescribed.

Schedule I: High potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use. Examples include heroin, LSD, and ecstasy.
Schedule II: High potential for abuse, with abuse potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence. These drugs have a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Examples include fentanyl, oxycodone, and cocaine.
Schedule III: Moderate to low potential for physical dependence and high potential for psychological dependence. These substances have an accepted medical use. Examples include ketamine, anabolic steroids, and certain codeine combinations.
Schedule IV: Low potential for abuse relative to Schedule III. They have an accepted medical use and limited dependence potential. Examples include Xanax and Valium.
Schedule V: Lowest potential for abuse and accepted medical use. These contain limited quantities of narcotics. Examples include certain cough preparations with small amounts of codeine.

Ketamine: A Well-Known Class 3 Drug

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic with a currently accepted medical use, making it a prime example of a class 3 controlled substance. Originally developed as a safer anesthetic alternative in the 1960s, it is still used in both human and veterinary medicine today for sedation and pain relief. It induces a trance-like state and is valued for its rapid onset of action.

More recently, ketamine has garnered attention for its potential therapeutic applications in mental health. It is being researched and utilized for treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A derivative, esketamine (Spravato), was approved by the FDA as a nasal spray for treatment-resistant depression in 2019.

However, ketamine also has a history of misuse due to its hallucinogenic and dissociative effects. Users may seek sensory distortions and dream-like states, leading to high psychological dependence. Misuse can result in serious long-term consequences, including memory problems, kidney damage, and painful bladder issues.

Anabolic Steroids: Another Example of a Schedule III Substance

Anabolic-androgenic steroids, synthetic versions of the male hormone testosterone, also fall under the Schedule III classification. Medically, they are used to treat conditions such as delayed puberty in males and muscle wasting caused by diseases like cancer or AIDS. They work by activating the body's androgen receptors to promote muscle growth and increase bone density.

Misuse of anabolic steroids is common among athletes and bodybuilders who seek to enhance performance and increase muscle mass. This is often done at doses significantly higher than those prescribed for medical purposes. While the addictive effect is not typically related to euphoria, it can lead to high psychological dependence, particularly for individuals with body dysmorphia.

Long-term misuse carries a significant risk of side effects, which vary between males and females.

Adverse Effects of Anabolic Steroid Misuse

For Men: Testicular shrinkage, reduced sperm count, male pattern baldness, and breast development (gynecomastia).
For Women: Deepening of the voice, male pattern baldness, increased facial and body hair growth, and menstrual irregularities.
For Both Genders: Liver damage, increased risk of heart disease and stroke, severe acne, and severe mood swings (often referred to as 'roid rage').

Comparison of Schedule III and IV Drugs

To better understand the classification of a Schedule III drug, it's helpful to compare it with the next level down, Schedule IV. The distinction primarily hinges on the potential for abuse and dependence.


Feature	Schedule III Drugs	Schedule IV Drugs
Abuse Potential	Moderate to low potential for abuse	Low potential for abuse relative to Schedule III
Dependence	Moderate or low physical dependence, or high psychological dependence	Limited physical or psychological dependence relative to Schedule III
Accepted Medical Use	Yes, with current acceptance in the U.S.	Yes, with current acceptance in the U.S.
Prescription Refills	Up to five refills allowed within a six-month period	Up to five refills allowed within a six-month period
Examples	Ketamine, anabolic steroids, codeine combinations with <90mg per dose	Xanax, Valium, Ambien, Tramadol

The Legal and Prescription Landscape

The legal status and dispensing regulations for Schedule III drugs are more lenient than for Schedule I and II substances, but still strictly controlled. Prescriptions for Schedule III drugs can be written, electronically transmitted, or even given verbally over the phone by a registered practitioner. Pharmacists can fill or refill the prescription up to five times within six months of the issue date. After this period, a new prescription is required.

It is important to note that penalties for the unauthorized possession or trafficking of Schedule III drugs exist, although they are less severe than for higher-schedule drugs. Unlawful distribution can lead to imprisonment and significant fines. The penalties for simple possession are also tied to the number of offenses.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a class 3 drug is defined by the DEA as a substance with a moderate-to-low potential for physical dependence and a high potential for psychological dependence, balanced with an accepted medical use. Ketamine and anabolic steroids serve as clear examples, each with distinct medical applications and potential for misuse. While Ketamine acts as a dissociative anesthetic and is explored for mental health treatment, anabolic steroids function as testosterone mimics for conditions involving muscle loss. The legal frameworks surrounding these substances ensure their availability for legitimate medical purposes while implementing controls to mitigate their risks of abuse and dependence. As with all controlled substances, proper adherence to medical guidelines is essential to prevent adverse outcomes associated with misuse. For further information, consult the official DEA drug scheduling resource(https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling).

Frequently Asked Questions

Abuse of Schedule III drugs, like Ketamine and anabolic steroids, is associated with a moderate-to-low potential for physical dependence but a high potential for psychological dependence.

No. Only preparations containing a specific, limited quantity of codeine (e.g., less than 90 milligrams per dosage unit) are classified as Schedule III. Products with higher concentrations are considered Schedule II controlled substances.

Ketamine is primarily used as a dissociative anesthetic for surgical procedures and procedural sedation. It is also being researched and used for treatment-resistant depression.

Misusing anabolic steroids can lead to numerous health problems, including liver damage, heart disease, high blood pressure, mood swings, and, in men, testicular shrinkage and gynecomastia.

Yes, a prescription for a Schedule III controlled substance can be refilled up to five times within a six-month period from the date of issue.

Penalties for trafficking and possession of Schedule III drugs are generally less severe than those for Schedule I substances, reflecting their lower abuse potential, but they still carry serious legal consequences.

A drug's classification is determined by its accepted medical use, potential for abuse, and potential for physical or psychological dependence, as assessed by the DEA.