Certified Medical Assistant (CMA AAMA)PharmacologyHard
Which of the following best distinguishes a Schedule V controlled substance from other controlled substance schedules?
- AIt can only be dispensed by a licensed narcotic treatment program
- BIt requires a triplicate prescription form in all states
- CIt has a low potential for abuse and may be sold without a prescription in some states, subject to pharmacy logging requirements
- DIt has the highest potential for abuse and no accepted medical use
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. It has a low potential for abuse and may be sold without a prescription in some states, subject to pharmacy logging requirements
Schedule V drugs have the lowest abuse potential among controlled substances and often contain limited quantities of narcotics, such as cough preparations with small amounts of codeine. In some states, these may be sold over the counter without a prescription, but the pharmacist must log the purchaser's information per federal and state regulations.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Narcotic treatment program dispensing restrictions apply to certain Schedule II opioids used in addiction treatment, not general Schedule V drugs.
- B. Triplicate prescription forms are not a universal Schedule V requirement and vary by state and drug type.
- D. This description matches Schedule I, which has no accepted medical use and the highest abuse potential.
Schedule V Controlled Substances
Controlled substances with the lowest abuse potential, sometimes available without a prescription but requiring pharmacy purchaser logs.
- Examples: cough syrups with small amounts of codeine, some antidiarrheal agents
- Purchaser must show ID and be logged by pharmacist in states allowing OTC sale
- Still classified as controlled due to trace narcotic content
Memory trick: 'V is for Very low risk, sometimes OTC'