Butalbital (Fiorinal) is listed under which schedule?

• A. Schedule I
• B. Schedule II
• C. Schedule IV
• D. Schedule III

Answer: (D)

Schedule classifications reflect a drug’s potential for abuse, the risk of dependence, and its accepted medical use. Butalbital is a barbiturate, and Fiorinal combines butalbital with aspirin and caffeine. The combination is recognized as having medical use, but with a moderate potential for abuse and dependence compared to pure barbiturates. That balance places Fiorinal in Schedule III. Higher-risk options with greater abuse potential sit in Schedule II, while drugs with lower abuse potential are in Schedule IV or V. So the correct classification for Fiorinal is Schedule III.