Which of the following is an example of a Schedule III drug?

• A. Codeine
• B. Morphine
• C. Darvocet
• D. Darvon

Answer: (A)

Drug scheduling groups substances by medical use and abuse potential. Schedule III drugs have an accepted medical use and a lower potential for abuse than Schedule II drugs. Codeine fits this pattern when it appears in combination products with non-narcotic analgesics like acetaminophen, because the combination reduces abuse risk compared with codeine used alone, so those formulations are classified as Schedule III. Morphine, by contrast, is a stronger opioid with higher abuse potential and is classified as Schedule II. Darvocet and Darvon (propoxyphene products) have historically been placed in a higher schedule as well, reflecting greater risk. So codeine serves as an example of a Schedule III drug in common classifications.