Antidiarrheal medications containing opioids, such as Lomotil, fall into which controlled substance schedule?

Antidiarrheal medications containing opioids, like Lomotil, are classified as Schedule V controlled substances under the federal Controlled Substances Act. This classification is based on their lower potential for abuse relative to drugs in higher schedules and their accepted medical uses.

Lomotil, which contains diphenoxylate (an opioid) combined with atropine, is used to treat diarrhea. The presence of atropine not only enhances the therapeutic effectiveness of the medication but also deters potential misuse, as high doses may lead to unpleasant side effects associated with atropine. Therefore, the combination of a low dose of the opioid component, along with the added deterrent, contributes to its Schedule V designation.

Drugs classified under Schedule V are considered to have a lower risk of dependence and abuse compared to those in Schedules I through IV. This tier of scheduling allows for a reasonable balance between accessibility for patients who need treatment for conditions like diarrhea while still maintaining some level of control over the potential for misuse.