A Schedule III (often written “Schedule 3”) substance is a controlled drug that has an accepted medical use but a lower abuse and dependence risk than Schedule I or II substances, while still carrying more risk than Schedule IV drugs.

Basic definition

  • Schedule III substances are defined in U.S. federal law as drugs with a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.
  • Their abuse potential is lower than that of Schedule I and II drugs, but higher than Schedule IV drugs.
  • They are controlled, so possession, use, and distribution are regulated and typically require a valid prescription when used medically.

Key criteria

A drug is usually placed in Schedule III if it:

  • Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment (for example, as a painkiller, anesthetic, or hormone therapy).
  • Has an abuse potential less than Schedule I/II but still significant enough that misuse can lead to dependence or addiction.
  • Tends to cause moderate or low physical dependence, or high psychological dependence, when abused.

Common examples

Typical Schedule III substances include:

  • Combination products with less than 90 mg of codeine per dosage unit (for example, some “Tylenol with codeine” products).
  • Ketamine, a medical anesthetic that can be misused recreationally.
  • Anabolic steroids and testosterone used for hormone therapy or bodybuilding but also commonly abused for performance enhancement.

Because these drugs have legitimate medical roles, they are widely used under prescription, but non‑medical use, diversion, or unauthorized possession can lead to criminal charges.

Legal and practical impact

  • Unauthorized possession, sale, or distribution of Schedule III substances can result in felony or misdemeanor charges depending on the amount, prior record, and jurisdiction.
  • Prescribers and pharmacies must follow specific record‑keeping and dispensing rules, and patients are expected to use these medications only as directed by a licensed professional.

If you have a specific drug in mind, checking how it is scheduled in your country or state is important, because classification and penalties can vary by jurisdiction.

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