What are some examples of Schedule 4 drug?

• A. Diazepam
• B. Buprenorphine
• C. Methadone
• D. Ketamine

Answer: (A)

Schedule 4 medicines are prescription-only drugs that have legitimate medical use but require a clinician’s prescription and pharmacist oversight to dispense. They sit in a category where patient access is controlled to balance therapeutic benefit with potential for dependence or abuse.

Diazepam fits this category well. It’s a benzodiazepine with well-established uses in veterinary and human medicine for anxiety, seizures, and sedation, but it also carries a risk of dependence and misuse. Because of these factors, its distribution is regulated and it must be prescribed by a qualified professional and dispensed under appropriate safeguards.

The other drugs listed are regulated more strictly. Buprenorphine, methadone, and ketamine are typically controlled at a higher level (often Schedule 8 in many jurisdictions), reflecting a greater potential for abuse and diversion and requiring stricter prescribing, recording, and storage procedures.