Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Practice Exam

Which of the following medications is classified as a schedule III controlled substance?

1. Klonopin (clonazepam)

2. Lomotil (diphenoxylate/atropine)

3. Qdolo (tramadol)

4. Depo-Testosterone (testosterone)

The correct answer is: Depo-Testosterone (testosterone)

The correct classification for a Schedule III controlled substance includes medications that have a legitimate medical purpose but carry a lower potential for abuse compared to Schedule I and II substances. In this context, testosterone, which is found in Depo-Testosterone, is indeed classified as a Schedule III substance due to its accepted medical use in treating conditions like hormone deficiencies but its potential for abuse. To briefly contextualize the other choices, Klonopin (clonazepam) is a benzodiazepine, commonly classified as a Schedule IV substance due to lower abuse potential. Lomotil is primarily a diarrhea treatment and contains diphenoxylate, which is classified as a Schedule V substance. Qdolo (tramadol), while it has been integral in pain management, does fall under Schedule IV because of its potential for abuse and dependence, but still has a more restricted classification compared to Schedule III. Understanding the classifications is crucial for pharmacy technicians, as it influences not only the handling of these medications but also the regulations surrounding their prescriptions and dispensations.