Vicodin is still a controlled substance, but the prescribing rules are different.
Beth Lescallette writes: "The DEA gives drugs Schedule Numbers according to their potential for abuse and the efficacy of their use. There are actually 6 schedule numbers. Schedules II-V are considered controlled substances.
"Schedule I drugs have the highest dependency and have no clinical
efficacy, therefore, it isn't legal to prescribe them...."
Richard C. Campbell tells us an "example of a Schedule I drug would be
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (Ecstasy) or Marijuana." He refers us to the U.S. Drug Enforement list of drugs in the various schedule numbers.
Editor's Note: This page previously listed cocaine as a Schedule I drug and we were wrong. This mistake was pointed out to us by Mr. Campbell, Mark Dexter, Brian Butler and Darren S. Dale. We regret that it took some time to make this correction.
"Schedule II drugs have a high potential for abuse, but do have some benefits to the patient. Examples of this type of Drug would be Percocet, Morphine and Demerol. The DEA has very strict guidelines about the dispensing of these drugs. There are no refills allowed on these drugs and the prescription must be handwritten. Every pill must be accounted for. These are mostly prescribed for pain.
"Schedule III drugs are rated less likely to be abused than Schedule II
drugs. Examples would be Lorcet and Vicodin. A prescriber may telephone
in a prescription for these drugs and they may be refilled a maximum of 5
times. Most of the drugs in this class are for pain
Schedule IV drugs are less likely to be abused than Schedule III. Examples
of these would be Xanax, Valium, and Adipex. These are mostly
anti-anxiety agents and appetite suppressants.
Schedule V drugs are the least likely to be abused. Examples would be cough
syrups with codeine."
Drugs
