Phendimetrazine (Bontril) is classified as Schedule III.

• A. Schedule II
• B. Schedule III
• C. Schedule IV
• D. Not scheduled

Answer: (B)

Understanding how the DEA classifies controlled substances helps explain this. Substances are placed in schedules based on medical use, potential for abuse, and likelihood of physical or psychological dependence. Phendimetrazine has an accepted medical use as an appetite suppressant, but its abuse and dependence potential is higher than Schedule IV drugs and lower than Schedule II drugs. That intermediate risk profile is why it’s classified as Schedule III. It’s not unscheduled, and it’s not a Schedule II or IV because those categories reflect more extreme levels of abuse potential.