What Schedule are anabolic steroids classified as?

• A. C-II
• B. C-III
• C. C-IV
• D. C-V

Answer: (B)

Scheduling groups drugs by their medical use and how likely they are to be abused. Anabolic steroids have legitimate medical uses, but they also carry a significant potential for abuse, especially in non-medical contexts. That combination fits Schedule III, which includes substances with accepted medical use and a moderate to low potential for physical dependence or high psychological dependence relative to Schedule II drugs.

In contrast, Schedule II substances have a higher potential for abuse and dependence and still have medical uses, but the risk level is greater than anabolic steroids. Schedule IV and Schedule V involve lower abuse potential and tighter restrictions, which doesn’t match how anabolic steroids are viewed in terms of risk and medical utility. So the best classification is Schedule III.