in the United States, a term describing a drug placed into one of five categories based on its potential for misuse or abuse

DEA Controlled Drug Prescriptions

→ Must contain at least

• Date of prescription issue
• Patient's name and address
• Practitioner's name, address, and phone number
• Drug name
• Drug strength
• Dosage form and instructions
• Exact quantity prescribed
• Complete directions for use
• Number of refills authorized
• Have a valid DEA Number

(a) The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse.
(b) The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions.
(c) Abuse of the drug or other substances may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.

A prescription order must be dated, and it has an appropriate expiration date based on the type of drugordered. If it's not filled in time, the script expires.

NO REFILLS ALLOWED

Schedule II drug prescriptions also:

→ Must be manually signed by the practitioner. No exceptions.

→ May not be Faxed or Called in, except for a valid emergency.

→ May not have any refills.

(a) The drug or other substance has a potential for abuse less than the drugs or other substances in schedules I and II.
(b) The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.
(c) Abuse of the drug or other substance may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.

A prescription order must be dated, and it has an appropriate expiration date based on the type of drugordered. If it's not filled in time, the script expires.

up to 5, but only 5 times*

If a patient has a Sch 3-5 prescription with 5 refills of 100, but can only afford 50 at a time, they will only get 250 total. (not 500) Period. Each time a refill is redeemed, that refill is then voided. So, if you are authorized a refill of 100, but only get 50, you then forfeit the other 50.

(a) The drug or other substance has a low potential for abuse relative to the drugs or other substances in schedule III.
(b) The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.
(c) 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 prescription order must be dated, and it has an appropriate expiration date based on the type of drugordered. If it's not filled in time, the script expires.

up to 5, but only 5 times*

If a patient has a Sch 3-5 prescription with 5 refills of 100, but can only afford 50 at a time, they will only get 250 total. (not 500) Period. Each time a refill is redeemed, that refill is then voided. So, if you are authorized a refill of 100, but only get 50, you then forfeit the other 50.

A prescription order must be dated, and it has an appropriate expiration date based on the type of drugordered. If it's not filled in time, the script expires.