What is a characteristic of Schedule III drugs?

Schedule III drugs are classified by their potential for abuse and their medical applications. The key characteristic of Schedule III drugs is that they may lead to moderate to low physical dependence or high psychological dependence. This distinguishes them from Schedule I and II drugs, which have a higher potential for abuse and greater risk of severe dependence.

In contrast, drugs classified under Schedule I are deemed to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, while Schedule II drugs have a high potential for abuse but are recognized for specific medical uses under strict regulations. Schedule III drugs can be prescribed and are medically used, unlike illicit substances that are not recognized for any medical application, which aligns with part of the rationale for their classification. Thus, Schedule III drugs strike a balance between medical utility and the potential for abuse and dependence.