C-I
Schedule I
No currently accepted medical use under federal scheduling criteria; high potential for abuse.
Examples listed by DEA include heroin, LSD and MDMA.
View 21 CFR § 1308.11 →UNITED STATES FEDERAL INFORMATION
Controlled substances
C-I · C-II · C-III · C-IV · C-V
A bilingual educational overview of the five federal schedules. DEA maintains the legal schedules under the Controlled Substances Act; FDA contributes scientific assessments of abuse risk and medical use.
C-II
Schedule II
High potential for abuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence.
DEA examples include fentanyl, oxycodone, methadone, amphetamine products and methylphenidate.
View 21 CFR § 1308.12 →C-III
Schedule III
Moderate-to-low potential for physical and psychological dependence compared with Schedules I and II.
DEA examples include ketamine, testosterone, anabolic steroids and certain codeine combination products.
View 21 CFR § 1308.13 →C-IV
Schedule IV
Lower potential for abuse and dependence than Schedule III under the federal framework.
DEA examples include alprazolam, diazepam, lorazepam, zolpidem and tramadol.
View 21 CFR § 1308.14 →C-V
Schedule V
Lower potential for abuse than Schedule IV; includes certain preparations containing limited quantities of specified narcotics.
DEA examples include pregabalin, diphenoxylate/atropine and certain codeine-containing cough preparations.
View 21 CFR § 1308.15 →OFFICIAL SOURCES
Always confirm with the current source.
DEA’s official manuals page currently identifies the Pharmacist’s Manual as revised in 2022 and states that its manuals are being updated. Do not use this page to decide whether to start, stop, share, store or dispose of a medication. Consult a licensed pharmacist or clinician and follow applicable law.