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Certain medications used to treatanxiety disordersfall under the legal classification of “controlled substances.”Benzodiazepines, a class of medications commonly used for their tranquilizing and anti-anxiety effects, are considered a Schedule IV controlled substance. (Ativan andValiumare examples of benzodiazepines. Though some people mistake it for an opioid, the Xanax drug class is also benzodiazepine.) But, what exactly does it mean to be a Schedule IV controlled substance?

This article contains information on why benzodiazepines are controlled substances, what the classifications of controlled substances are, and provides a benzodiazepines list along with their common side effects.

The Controlled Substance Act of 1970

For many decades, the United States has fought what is often termed a “War on Drugs.” Recognizing the potential that certain medications have for misuse and dependence, Congress enacted the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) as part of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970.Over the years, the Act has had several revisions including:

The CSA mandates that manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies and healthcare providers diligently ensure the safe and efficient delivery of controlled substances identified within five schedules under the Act.

Understanding the “Schedules” of Controlled Substances

To understand what Title 21, Chapter 13 of the CSA entitled “Drug Abuse Prevention and Control”says about various controlled substances, let’s look at a brief overview of each schedule.

Schedule I

Drugs and other substances that fall into Schedule I classification are seen to have the highest potential for abuse. They are also deemed as having no accepted medical use in the United States and lack customary safety standards.

Examples of Schedule I drugs include:

Schedule II

These drugs and substances also have a high potential for abuse, but they do have a currently accepted medical use in the United States. It’s noted in the CSA that abuse of these drugs “may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.”

Examples of Schedule II drugs include:

Schedule III

The potential for abuse of Schedule III drugs and substances is considered lower than the previous categories. These, too, have a medicinal use, though they can lead to “moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.”

Examples of Schedule III drugs include:

Schedule IV

This is where benzodiazepines fall into the controlled substance classifications. The substances classified as Schedule IV have a lower potential for abuse compared to drugs in other schedules, but the risk does remain. Again, Schedule IV drugs do have medical uses and many are common treatments for anxiety and similar medical conditions.

According to the CSA, drugs listed in Schedule IV are classified as such because “Abuse of the drug or other substance may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to the drugs or other substances in Schedule III.”

A common question people ask is:Is Xanax a controlled substance?The answer is yes, because Xanax is a benzodiazepine, and benzodiazepines are Schedule IV controlled substances.

Additional examples of Schedule IV drugs include the benzodiazepines listed below.

Schedule V

In relation to other controlled substances, Schedule V drugs have a low potential for abuse and they are common medical treatments. While the risk of dependence is very low, it does still exist.

Examples of Schedule V drugs include antidiarrheals, antitussives (cough medicine), and analgesics (pain relievers).

What Are Benzodiazepines?

List of Benzodiazepines

The following are drugs that fall into the class of benzodiazepines:

Cautions Regarding Benzodiazepines

While Schedule IV indicates that benzodiazepines have less potential to be misused compared to other types of controlled substances, benzodiazepines are still commonly misused drugs.

Research has shown that benzodiazepines can cause harmful psychological and physical dependence. Somewithdrawal symptomscan be fatal.

Side effects of benzodiazepines may include:

Let a doctor know if you experience these or any other side effects.

Signs of Overdose

The effects ofoverdosing on benzodiazepinesinclude drowsiness, confusion, impaired coordination, respiratory problems (trouble breathing), and coma. Overdose can be fatal. If you or a loved one experiences any of the signs of overdose, you should seek emergency medical attention immediately.

Frequently Asked QuestionsBenzodiazepines are depressant drugs that produce a tranquilizing effect. They are sometimes prescribed to treat anxiety disorders, sleep disorders, or panic disorder.The Controlled Substances Act divides drugs into five schedules; benzodiazepines are Schedule IV drugs and they have the potential to be addictive.Yes, Xanax is a benzodiazepine, which is a class of drugs categorized as a Schedule IV controlled substance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Benzodiazepines are depressant drugs that produce a tranquilizing effect. They are sometimes prescribed to treat anxiety disorders, sleep disorders, or panic disorder.

The Controlled Substances Act divides drugs into five schedules; benzodiazepines are Schedule IV drugs and they have the potential to be addictive.

Yes, Xanax is a benzodiazepine, which is a class of drugs categorized as a Schedule IV controlled substance.

13 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Congressional Research Service.The Controlled Substances Act (CSA): A legal overview for the 117th congress.Library of Congress.S.2399 - Psychotropic Substances Act.Library of Congress.S.422 - Controlled Substance Registrant Protection Act of 1984.U.S. Department of Justice.Controlled Substance Analogue Enforcement Act of 1986: The compromising of criminalization.Library of Congress.H.R.2595 - Chemical Diversion and Trafficking Act of 1987.Library of Congress.S1663 - 103rd Congress (1993-1994).Library of Congress.H.R. 1056 - Methamphetamine Precursor Control Act of 2005.Office of the Law Revision Counsel. United States Code.21 USC Chapter 13: Drug abuse prevention and control. From Title 21–Food and Drugs.Drug Enforcement Administration.Drug scheduling.Kroll DS, Nieva HR, Barsky AJ, Linder JA.Benzodiazepines are prescribed more frequently to patients already at risk for benzodiazepine-related adverse events in primary care.J Gen Intern Med. 2016;31(9):1027-1034. doi:10.1007/s11606-016-3740-0Department of Justice/Drug Enforcement Administration.Drug fact sheet: Benzodiazepines.Edinoff AN, Nix CA, Hollier J, et al.Benzodiazepines: Uses, dangers, and clinical considerations.Neurol Int. 2021;13(4):594-607. doi:10.3390/neurolint13040059Griffin CE 3rd, Kaye AM, Bueno FR, Kaye AD.Benzodiazepine pharmacology and central nervous system-mediated effects.Ochsner J. 2013;13(2):214-223.

13 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Congressional Research Service.The Controlled Substances Act (CSA): A legal overview for the 117th congress.Library of Congress.S.2399 - Psychotropic Substances Act.Library of Congress.S.422 - Controlled Substance Registrant Protection Act of 1984.U.S. Department of Justice.Controlled Substance Analogue Enforcement Act of 1986: The compromising of criminalization.Library of Congress.H.R.2595 - Chemical Diversion and Trafficking Act of 1987.Library of Congress.S1663 - 103rd Congress (1993-1994).Library of Congress.H.R. 1056 - Methamphetamine Precursor Control Act of 2005.Office of the Law Revision Counsel. United States Code.21 USC Chapter 13: Drug abuse prevention and control. From Title 21–Food and Drugs.Drug Enforcement Administration.Drug scheduling.Kroll DS, Nieva HR, Barsky AJ, Linder JA.Benzodiazepines are prescribed more frequently to patients already at risk for benzodiazepine-related adverse events in primary care.J Gen Intern Med. 2016;31(9):1027-1034. doi:10.1007/s11606-016-3740-0Department of Justice/Drug Enforcement Administration.Drug fact sheet: Benzodiazepines.Edinoff AN, Nix CA, Hollier J, et al.Benzodiazepines: Uses, dangers, and clinical considerations.Neurol Int. 2021;13(4):594-607. doi:10.3390/neurolint13040059Griffin CE 3rd, Kaye AM, Bueno FR, Kaye AD.Benzodiazepine pharmacology and central nervous system-mediated effects.Ochsner J. 2013;13(2):214-223.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Congressional Research Service.The Controlled Substances Act (CSA): A legal overview for the 117th congress.Library of Congress.S.2399 - Psychotropic Substances Act.Library of Congress.S.422 - Controlled Substance Registrant Protection Act of 1984.U.S. Department of Justice.Controlled Substance Analogue Enforcement Act of 1986: The compromising of criminalization.Library of Congress.H.R.2595 - Chemical Diversion and Trafficking Act of 1987.Library of Congress.S1663 - 103rd Congress (1993-1994).Library of Congress.H.R. 1056 - Methamphetamine Precursor Control Act of 2005.Office of the Law Revision Counsel. United States Code.21 USC Chapter 13: Drug abuse prevention and control. From Title 21–Food and Drugs.Drug Enforcement Administration.Drug scheduling.Kroll DS, Nieva HR, Barsky AJ, Linder JA.Benzodiazepines are prescribed more frequently to patients already at risk for benzodiazepine-related adverse events in primary care.J Gen Intern Med. 2016;31(9):1027-1034. doi:10.1007/s11606-016-3740-0Department of Justice/Drug Enforcement Administration.Drug fact sheet: Benzodiazepines.Edinoff AN, Nix CA, Hollier J, et al.Benzodiazepines: Uses, dangers, and clinical considerations.Neurol Int. 2021;13(4):594-607. doi:10.3390/neurolint13040059Griffin CE 3rd, Kaye AM, Bueno FR, Kaye AD.Benzodiazepine pharmacology and central nervous system-mediated effects.Ochsner J. 2013;13(2):214-223.

Congressional Research Service.The Controlled Substances Act (CSA): A legal overview for the 117th congress.

Library of Congress.S.2399 - Psychotropic Substances Act.

Library of Congress.S.422 - Controlled Substance Registrant Protection Act of 1984.

U.S. Department of Justice.Controlled Substance Analogue Enforcement Act of 1986: The compromising of criminalization.

Library of Congress.H.R.2595 - Chemical Diversion and Trafficking Act of 1987.

Library of Congress.S1663 - 103rd Congress (1993-1994).

Library of Congress.H.R. 1056 - Methamphetamine Precursor Control Act of 2005.

Office of the Law Revision Counsel. United States Code.21 USC Chapter 13: Drug abuse prevention and control. From Title 21–Food and Drugs.

Drug Enforcement Administration.Drug scheduling.

Kroll DS, Nieva HR, Barsky AJ, Linder JA.Benzodiazepines are prescribed more frequently to patients already at risk for benzodiazepine-related adverse events in primary care.J Gen Intern Med. 2016;31(9):1027-1034. doi:10.1007/s11606-016-3740-0

Department of Justice/Drug Enforcement Administration.Drug fact sheet: Benzodiazepines.

Edinoff AN, Nix CA, Hollier J, et al.Benzodiazepines: Uses, dangers, and clinical considerations.Neurol Int. 2021;13(4):594-607. doi:10.3390/neurolint13040059

Griffin CE 3rd, Kaye AM, Bueno FR, Kaye AD.Benzodiazepine pharmacology and central nervous system-mediated effects.Ochsner J. 2013;13(2):214-223.

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