Class 3 (usually written “Schedule III”) drugs are controlled substances that have accepted medical uses but a moderate or low potential for physical dependence and/or a higher risk of psychological dependence than many routine medicines, while still being less risky than Schedule I or II drugs.

What “Class 3 / Schedule III” Means

  • They have an accepted medical use in treatment (for example, pain control, anesthesia, or hormone therapy).
  • Their abuse potential is lower than Schedule I and II drugs (like heroin, cocaine, or oxycodone) but higher than Schedule IV and V drugs.
  • Misuse can lead to moderate or low physical dependence or significant psychological dependence, especially with long‑term or high‑dose use.

Common Examples of Class 3 Drugs

Typical Schedule III drugs (names may vary by country/brand) include:

  • Combination products with less than 90 mg of codeine per dosage unit (such as some “Tylenol with codeine” formulations).
  • Ketamine (often used as an anesthetic, including in veterinary medicine).
  • Anabolic steroids (used medically for certain hormone or muscle‑wasting conditions, but frequently misused for bodybuilding).
  • Testosterone and similar hormone replacement products.
  • Buprenorphine products (like Suboxone/Subutex) used for treating opioid use disorder.

Legal and Safety Points

  • Because they are controlled, Schedule III drugs usually require a prescription and are tracked more closely than many routine medications.
  • Laws, exact lists, and the wording (“Class 3” vs “Schedule III”) can differ between countries, so local regulations may not match U.S. federal schedules exactly.
  • Misusing these drugs (taking without a prescription, changing dose on your own, or using for non‑medical reasons) can lead to legal consequences and health risks, including dependence and withdrawal.

If you are asking because of a specific medicine or situation, checking the exact drug name against your country’s official controlled‑substance list or speaking with a pharmacist or doctor is the safest next step.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.