Which of the following drugs is listed as Schedule IV in the material?

• A. Ibuprofen
• B. Diazepam
• C. Acetaminophen
• D. Amoxicillin

Answer: (B)

Controlled substance schedules classify drugs by their potential for abuse relative to medical use. Diazepam, a benzodiazepine with established medical uses (such as anxiety relief, seizure control, and muscle relaxation), fits Schedule IV because it has accepted medical use but a risk of dependence and abuse that is lower than that of drugs in Schedule III. That balance of medical utility with relatively lower abuse potential is why diazepam is placed in Schedule IV.

Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are non-prescription pain relievers with no abuse potential that warrants scheduling, and amoxicillin is an antibiotic with no abuse risk; none of these are placed in Schedule IV.