9. Which of the following narrow therapeutic index medications is federally classified as a controlled substance?
Answer: C
Phenobarbital is federally classified as a controlled substance.
Phenobarbital is a narrow therapeutic index medication that is designated as a controlled substance under federal law due to its potential for abuse and dependence.
A) Carbamazepine
Carbamazepine is not classified as a controlled substance. It is utilized primarily for epilepsy and neuropathic pain management, but it does not fall within the controlled substances category, making it less restricted compared to controlled medications.
B) Tacrolimus
Tacrolimus is not a controlled substance; it is an immunosuppressant used in organ transplant patients. Although it has a narrow therapeutic index, it does not have the abuse potential that warrants controlled status.
C) Phenobarbital
Phenobarbital is a controlled substance due to its classification as a barbiturate, which poses a risk for misuse and addiction. Its narrow therapeutic index requires careful monitoring, and thus it is regulated under federal law.
D) Argatroban
Argatroban is an anticoagulant but is not classified as a controlled substance. It is used in specific medical situations, such as heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, and does not have the characteristics that would classify it as a controlled medication.
Conclusion
Phenobarbital is the only option among the choices that is federally classified as a controlled substance due to its potential for abuse and dependence. Other options, while they may have narrow therapeutic indices, do not carry the same level of regulation under federal law, making Phenobarbital the definitive correct answer.