What schedule is characterized by the combination of ibuprofen + hydrocodone?

The combination of ibuprofen and hydrocodone is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance. Federal regulations categorize drugs based on their potential for abuse and accepted medical use.

Schedule III drugs are substances that have a lower potential for abuse compared to Schedule I and II drugs, and they can be prescribed by a healthcare provider. Hydrocodone, when combined with non-narcotic analgesics like ibuprofen, is less likely to lead to severe psychological or physical dependence, which is one of the key factors in determining its schedule.

This classification allows it to be prescribed with less stringent restrictions compared to Schedule II substances, such as ones found in opioid formulations that are more potent on their own. The combination serves to manage pain effectively while potentially reducing the risk of addiction associated with stronger opioid formulations.

The other schedules involve substances with varying levels of restriction and abuse potential, where Schedule I contains drugs with no accepted medical use, Schedule II contains more potent drugs with a higher potential for abuse and stricter prescribing regulations, and Schedule IV encompasses medications with an even lower potential for abuse, allowing for more liberal prescribing. Thus, the classification of ibuprofen and hydrocodone as Schedule III reflects its status as a medically accepted and less tightly controlled option