1. Schedule 3 Pain Meds

Drugs on the Schedule 3 narcotics list mainly consist of steroids, diet drugs and a few actual narcotic medications. This drug class includes both prescription and over-the-counter medications. This drug class includes both prescription and over-the-counter medications.

1. 1) Are there any other schedule III narcotic type medications (besides tramadol) that can be used long-term that do not have tylenol/NSAID's in them? And 2) What are some of the NSAID/opiate drugs that could be used for chronic pain, & are they available in extended release form and appropriate for long-term (1-2 yrs) use?
2. Table 3 - A listing of representative types of narcotic pain medications. In general all of these medications includes a natural or synthetic analog of the opium substance from the opium poppy. All of these mimic a natural body chemical called an endorphin.

This is the list of Schedule III drugs as defined by the United StatesControlled Substances Act at 21 U.S.C.§ 812(c) and 21 C.F.R.1308.13, with modifications through August 22, 2014 (79 FR49961). The following findings are required for drugs to be placed in this schedule:^[1]

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

The complete list of Schedule III drugs follows. The Administrative Controlled Substances Code Number for each drug is included.

Stimulants[edit]

Depressants[edit]

Others[edit]

Narcotics[edit]

Steroids[edit]

Schedule 3 Pain Meds

Hallucinogens[edit]

References[edit]

1. ^21 U.S.C.§ 812(b)(3) retrieved September 3, 2014
2. ^'Xyrem^® (sodium oxybate) Oral Solution CIII. Prescribing information. Revised: December 2012'(PDF). Archived from the original(PDF) on 2013-02-03.
3. ^'Department of Justice. Drug Enforcement Administration. Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Perampanel into Schedule III'(PDF). Federal Register. Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration. 78 (204): 62500–62506. October 22, 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2014.

Asked

16 Feb 2010 by felicidad

Updated

18 February 2010

Topics

pain

I welcome any comments/advice. I'm posting in this forum because I am seeking advice of those who are knowledgable in pharmacology. I need to know my options before discussing a med change with my doctor in 2 days. I am certain that I will be seeking opiate type medication to manage my pain at this time--that is not in debate.

1) Are there any other schedule III narcotic type medications (besides tramadol) that can be used long-term that do not have tylenol/NSAID's in them? and 2) What are some of the NSAID/opiate drugs that could be used for chronic pain, & are they available in extended release form and appropriate for long-term (1-2 yrs) use? *I most likely will need to go on schedule II drug in the near future, but would like to postpone it if at all possible--most of all, I want to be able to travel internationally for more than 30 days at a time., so for that reason I would like to avoid schedule II drugs if possible FOR NOW.

*see below for quick background* Lack of $, job and insurance is a big factor in mine & my doctors decision making. For that reason I've been taking methadone for the past 3 weeks now . . . no side effects, but no pain relief either (due to extra low dose no doubt). He started me on 5 mg/24 hr, then last 10 days 5 mg/2 x day. I understand the caution and slow titration. I'm also taking voltaren 150-200mg /day, which used to help, although not sure anymore my doctor wants me to continue with it for now. I've since read up more on methadone and while I feel it may help and be an excellent choice for me long term, I don't want the ball & chain that comes with it right now (having to have hard copy script every 30 days, mostly) because I want to travel during the next few years, before my mobility becomes more of an issue. I just hope I'm not asking for terrible physical withdrawl even though its only been 3 weeks of a low dose. Does anyone know if I'd have trouble making a switch? Maybe dropping the voltaren and taking something like vicoprofen (extended release if there is one?) I'm not trying to obtain huge pain relief, only enough to be semi-productive, which is hard to do without any meds.

Quick background: chronic pain for many years (spinal injury/lots of degeneration/bone spurs/stenosis,ect.. now dealing with thoracic outlet syndrome as well). Only in the last year have I decided to try managing pain with daily meds to help improve my (and in turn, my husband's) quality of life. Pain can get quite bad at times, but it's the losing battle of not being able to perform ADL's & get around that is most devestating. When I'm in a bad flare, it's a real challange to even get out of bed, much less shower and do basic chores without medication. I would also like to return to work--I'm currently trying to find something that won't cause more flares. **In reality, I've been in complete denial of my physical condition for years now and somehow thought through PT and other therapies that I may be able to reabilitate myself (even though my doc said otherwise)**For this reason, I'm only now considering daily opoids for chronic pain management.

Of course, my first choice of tx would be PT, massage & accupunture instead of drugs, but I cannot afford it, am unemployed & don't have insurance. I know accupuncture helps me because I did it while I could afford to. I used to be totally opposed to taking medication . . . Fast forward-Sept 2009-I ask my pcp about pain management. We try voltaren (which I had success with in the past) and tramadol. (I'm aware that some say tramadol is no better than aspirin, but it does work wonders for some--we are all different. It did for me, it just didn't last). After 2 weeks of taking this I was actually receiving enough pain relief to greatly improve my life (got up to 2, 50mg tabs 2x day--problem was, if I took tramadol after 3pm or so, I had trouble sleeping--like I drank too much coffee), so I was able to be more productive during the day & took it easy in the afternoon/eve. Of course, after Christmas I wasn't getting the same pain relief or maybe my pain just worsened. . . I returned to my doctor 3 weeks ago telling him I was having increasing pain. He thinks with my issues (based on my films, ect.. ) that I most likely will need long-term opiod therapy. Said he'd like to try me on oxycontin, but because of the cost he wanted me to try methadone instead (I have taken opioids in the past off & on, there's really no issue of abuse or addiction concerns & they have been effective--more so, I'm concerned with side effects and pain relief). It's also a community/low-cost clinic, so there's probably more red tape/limitations on what & how he can prescribe as well.

Thanks to all for reading this.

Our health care system is in a real sad state, when people who need strong opiods are forced to go without due to abusers, while others are forced to rely on strong opiods instead of possibly taking something milder & receiving additional pain relief through natural therapies like accupunture, massage & physical therapy because of lack of insurance &/or $.

Nina

I

Responses (5)

Nina The state in which I live provides healthcare for people who legitimently need it. Check to see if your state offeres such care and if you qualify. Also there are some pharm companies that will help with the cost of their medications ask you doc about this Good Luck God Bless Hope this helps

Nina, I feel your pain and I understand not wanting to be having the old ball and chain to carry around. I too have some of the same issues. I take methadone. I am at 90mgs per my new doctors request. I sometimes take less or the prescribed amount depending on my pain level. But, I have tried almost everything. Starting with vicodin then moving on up to oxycontin. Which I loved. Felt like superwoman. But it is so addictive. I went to rehab to get off of that. Then my doctor said well, Kim, you cannot do without, so we will try methadone. And I must say it worked. I have no breakthrough pain, no need for antidepression meds. I do take valium every once in a while for my hypertension but really that is all I need. I understand that we have to go every month for a refill but it is worth it to me. Can your doctor give you enough to go on your trips? If insurance won't pay, it is rather inexpensive compared to oxycontin. Like less than $80. I hope this helped if not you didn't lose anything but reading. Take care and I will pray for you. kimmie1

If this is a chronic pain condition then you should just stay on the methadone as it is extremely difficult to get tolerant to. I know people who have been on methadone 30+ years and haven't increased more then 20 mgs of their original stabilized dose. So if the pain can't be fixed then stay with this as the other opiates are just going to stop working just as the Tramadol did..

have you tried pain patches? All different kinds, from tramadol, to the really strong stuff.. wanted my dr to put me on, but said I was only 37 and he said he diddn't want me to deal with that for the rest of my life.well, i have to deal with my med cond the rest of my life, so don't know what all the hub bub is about.. Also, talk to Job and family services just to get a med card for prescriptions.my friend got one, because of her med conditions and because her percentage was low enough and her med $ was high enough.they work on a percentage of income basis.good luck.. I have insurance and still can't afford some of my meds. Our health care system is sad.I wish I could go a more natural route.youd think our health care system would get wise and realize it might save them money.. I know about flares, and unfortunatly, I know I don't get the med care that I need to lead a more productive life.. I keep getting more painful diagnosis, and less pain meds.. I ask my dr for more of my very low form of narcotic and he thinks Im a drug addict..

Thanks for the replies everyone--everything helps in the decision making process. This will be short (I tend to ramble) due to experiencing extra numbness/tingling in my hands/arms today--I need to stay away from the computer, but I'll post a follow up next week.

I need to familiarize myself with this forum. This is probably self-explanatory, but I THOUGHT I was posting in the 'general discussion boards' which has a totally different format than 'Community>Questions'. After typing up my question, I didn't know how to make sure it posted in where I wanted, so I clicked 'ok' when the 'Pain' category was suggested to me. How do you pick the category/section to post? Is this the best place to post a question such as this?

Thanks & I wish you all the best,
Nina

Search for questions

Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.

Similar Questions

I need help divising a medication schedule, when to take them?

Updated 11 Dec 2012 • 2 answers

Does Arizona law again now restrict doctors from writing prescriptions on Sched 2 drugs to 30 days?

Updated 17 Jan 2015 • 2 answers

When did Fioricet become Schedule III med. My doctor thought it wasn't controlled?

Updated 16 Aug 2018 • 4 answers

What does this mean: CSA Schedule:M - Multiple How can I find out what schedule the drug is?

Updated 17 Nov 2014 • 1 answer

Safe schedule for tapering off Cymbalta/duloxetine?

Updated 23 Apr 2017 • 1 answer