What schedule drug is Fentanyl classified under?

Fentanyl is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act. The Schedule II classification indicates that it has a high potential for abuse, which can lead to severe psychological or physical dependence. Fentanyl's medical uses primarily include pain management, particularly in cases of severe pain or for anesthesia; however, due to its potency and the potential for addiction and misuse, it is strictly regulated.

Drugs classified under Schedule I, such as heroin, have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, while drugs in Schedules III and IV have lower abuse potentials and are considered to have accepted medical uses with less stringent regulations. Understanding these classifications is critical in veterinary medicine as it affects how medications are prescribed, dispensed, and monitored.