Nalorphine is classified as which schedule?

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

Answer: (B)

Scheduling of controlled substances is based on abuse potential, accepted medical use, and safety. Nalorphine is an opioid analgesic with antagonist properties that has had legitimate medical use in the past, and its potential for dependence is considered moderate to low compared with drugs in Schedule II. That combination places it in Schedule III. It’s not Schedule I because it has (or had) medical use; not Schedule II because the abuse risk isn’t as high as the strict Schedule II drugs; and not Schedule IV because its level of potential and medical use is higher than what’s typically in Schedule IV.