Which schedule has the lowest abuse potential relative to Schedule IV?

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

Answer: (D)

Abuse potential follows a descending order from I to V, with I the highest and V the lowest while still having medical use. If you compare relative to Schedule IV, the next step down has an even lower abuse potential. Schedule V includes preparations with very small amounts of narcotics (such as limited-codeine products) and is considered to have the lowest abuse potential among scheduled substances. This fits the pattern that while Schedule II, III, and IV have progressively lower risks, Schedule V sits at the bottom of the scale.