The anticonvulsants, sometimes also called antiepileptics, belong to a diverse group of pharmaceuticals used in prevention of the occurrence of epileptic seizures.

Many typical anticonvulsants work by blocking voltage-sensitive sodium channels in the brain.

Barbiturates

Main article: Barbiturates

Barbiturates are drugs that acts as central nervous system (CNS) depressants, and by virtue of this they produce a wide spectrum of effects, from mild sedation to anesthesia. Some also are used as anticonvulsants.

The following are barbiturates:

• methylphenobarbital
• phenobarbital
  • phenobarbitone
  • phenobarbitone sodium
• primidone
• barbexaclone
• metharbital

Hydantoins

Main article: Hydantoins

As hydantoins have a slow onset of action, they are not recommended for acute control of epilepsy.

The following are hydantoins:

• ethotoin
• phenytoin
• mephenytoin
• fosphenytoin

Oxazolidines

Main article: Oxazolidines

The following are oxazolidines:

• paramethadione
• trimethadione
• ethadione

Succinimides

Main article: Succinimides

The following are succinimides:

• ethosuximide
• phensuximide
• mesuximide

Benzodiazepines

Main article: Benzodiazepines

The benzodiazepines are a class of drugs with hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsive, amnestic and muscle relaxant properties. They are believed to act on the GABA receptor GABA_A, the activation of which dampens higher neuronal activity. They began to be widely prescribed for stress-related ailments in the 1960s and 1970s.

Benzodiazepines are often used for short-term relief of severe, disabling anxiety. Long-term use can be problematic due to the development of tolerance and dependency.

These drugs are preferred to the use of barbiturates because they have a lower abuse potential and relatively lower adverse reactions and interactions. However, drowsiness, ataxia, confusion, vertigo, impaired judgement, and a number of other effects are still common.

The following are benzodiazepines. These drugs are listed in order of the shortest acting to the longest acting (by the approximate half-life of the drug), however this time may greatly vary between persons.

• triazolam ("Halcion") - 2 hours
• midazolam ("Versed") - 3 hours [1.8-6 hours]
• oxazepam ("Serax ") - 4-15 hours
• chlordiazepoxide ("Librium") - 5-25 hours
• alprazolam ("Xanax") - 6-12 hours
• temazepam ("Restoril") 8-20 hours
• lorazepam ("Ativan") 10-20 hours
• bromazepam ("Lexotan ") 10-20 hours
• estazolam ("ProSom ") 10-24 hours
• flunitrazepam ("Rohypnol") 18-26 hours. Considered a "date-rape drug"
• clonazepam ("Klonopin", "Rivotril") 18-50 hours
• quazepam ("Doral ") 25-100 hours
• clorazepate ("Tranxene ") 36-100 hours
• medazepam ("Nobrium ") 36-150 hours
• prazepam ("Centrax ") 36-200 hours
• diazepam ("Valium") 36-200 hours
• flurazepam ("Dalmane") 40-250 hours

These drugs are not benzodiazepines, but have similar effects:

• zolpidem ("Ambien")
• zaleplon ("Sonata")
• meprobamate ("Miltown ")

Carboxamides

Main article: Carboxamides

The following are carboxamides:

• carbamazepine
• oxcarbazepine

Fatty Acids

Main article: Fatty acids

The following are fatty-acids:

• valproic acid
• valpromide
• vigabatrin
• progabide
• tiagabine

Others

• sultiame
• phenacemide
• lamotrigine
• felbamate
• topiramate
• gabapentin
• pheneturide
• levetiracetam
• beclamide
• potassium bromide