Phentermine, known as Fastin, is categorized under which controlled substance schedule?

Phentermine, commonly branded as Fastin, is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance. This classification indicates that while phentermine has accepted medical use in the United States—primarily for short-term weight management—it also carries a potential for abuse and dependence that is lower than that of drugs in schedules I, II, and III.

As a Schedule IV substance, phentermine is subject to less stringent regulations compared to higher schedules, allowing for prescriptions to be written by healthcare providers with fewer restrictions. The scheduling reflects a balance between the drug's therapeutic potential and its risk of misuse.

In contrast, substances in schedules I, II, and III have a higher potential for abuse and are more heavily regulated, with Schedule I drugs being considered the most dangerous and having no accepted medical use. This distinction is essential for healthcare providers and pharmacists to understand, as it helps guide proper prescribing, dispensing practices, and patient education regarding medication use.