Imepitoin (AWD 131–138 or ELB 138; 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-morpholino-imidazolin-2-one) is a new anti-epileptic drug recently approved in the European Union for the treatment of canine idiopathic epilepsy. It was developed from a series of imidazolinones due to its pronounced ant seizure activity in a large variety of rodent models of epileptic seizures, combined with a high tolerability in these models. Imepitoin is a centrally acting antiepileptic substance, which crosses the blood brain barrier without involvement of active transport or active clearance, resulting in immediate equilibrium between plasma and brain. Imepitoin acts as low-affinity partial agonists at the benzodiazepine (BZD) site of the GABAA receptor. Hopefully, that the favorable profile of imepitoin for the treatment of epilepsy in dogs will reactivate the interest in partial BZD site agonists as new treatments for human epilepsy.

2,5-Dimethyl-N-Phenyl-3H-diazaphophol-4-imine is a quinonoid tautomer of GABAA and GABAB agonist progabide. According to quantum mechanical calculations, a quinonoid form is predominant in polar solvents, while aromatic tautomer is prevalent in apolar solvents. Progabide is a prodrug of gamma-aminobutyric acid and was investigated for the treatment of epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, clinical depression, anxiety disorder, and other diseases. Progabide was marketed in France by Sanofi Aventis under tradename Gabrene for use in monotherapy and also as adjunctive therapy for generalized tonic-clonic, myoclonic, partial seizures, and for Lennox‐Gastaut syndrome, in both children and adults.

Valpromide (2-propylpentanamide) is a derivative of valproic acid. Bio-pharmacological data show several possible mechanisms of action involving an increase in GABA levels in brain as well as changes in membrane conductance on neurons. Valpromide has been shown to decrease aggressivity in stress-induced animals, to regulate anxious induced behaviours, as well as to potentiate central sedative compounds. It produces a significant increase of cognitive functions. Psychopathological experiments have shown: a wakening of personality, euphoric effects, an improvement of social behaviour, a stabilization of mood in affective disorders. Valpromide is indicated for the treatment of bipolar disorder (manic episodes). It is marketed in some Europe countries.

Carisbamate is an experimental anticonvulsant drug that was under development by Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development but never marketed. Acute and chronic nonclinical toxicological studies have not revealed any significant abnormalities other than dose-related CNS toxicity. Carisbamate displays high potency in a broad range of rodent seizure and epilepsy models at doses well below those that produce CNS toxicity. The exact mechanism of action is unknown but neuroprotective and antiseizure activity of Carisbamate likely results in part from decreased calcium accumulation through blockade of T-type Ca2+ channels. A phase II clinical trial in the treatment of partial seizures demonstrated that the compound has efficacy in the treatment of partial seizures and a good safety profile. In large multicenter phase III clinical trial for the treatment of partial seizures carisbamate at doses of 300, 800, and 1,600 mg/d was effective as adjunctive therapy for reducing the frequency of partial-onset seizures. The most common adverse events, encountered mainly at daily doses of 1000 mg or more, were CNS-related, including headache, dizziness, somnolence, and nausea. In another phase III clinical trial, carisbamate was not more efficacious in migraine prophylaxis than placebo, but carisbamate monotherapy was well tolerated at doses up to 600 mg per day. Johnson & Johnson received provisional approval by the FDA to market carisbamate under the brand name of Comfyde. However, on August 21, 2009, Johnson & Johnson reported that the FDA had failed to give marketing approval.

Pheneturide ((brand names Benuride, Deturid, Pheneturid, Septotence, Trinuride), a decarboxylation product of phenobarbital, has been shown to be an effective drug against seizures, and in particular psychomotor seizures. It has being marketed in Europe, including in Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Pheneturide is supplied in compressed tablets each containing 200 mg. of the drug. It can also be obtained in compound tablets (" trinuride ') each of which contain 200 mg. of pheneturide, 40 mg. of diphenylhydantoin, and 15 mg. of phenobarbitone. Animal experiments have shown that pheneturide protects against drug-induced and electrically induced convulsions.

Ethadione is an oxazolidine derivative. It has been used in the treatment of seizures.

Sulthiame is a potent inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase II, VII, IX, and XII. Sulthiame is an antiepileptic drug that is used widely in some European countries and in Israel. Sometimes it is used as an additional (add-on) antiepileptic medicine in non responders, alongside an existing antiepileptic medicine.

Oxcarbazepine and its active metabolite (10,11-dihydro-10-hydroxy-carbazepine, MHD) have been effective in animal models of epilepsy that generally predict efficacy in generalized tonic-clonic seizures and partial seizures in humans. The pharmacokinetic profile of oxcarbazepine is less complicated than that of carbamazepine, with less metabolism by the cytochrome P450 system, no production of an epoxide metabolite, and lower plasma protein binding. The clinical efficacy and tolerability of oxcarbazepine have been demonstrated in trials in adults, children, and the elderly. The pharmacological activity of oxcarbazepine is primarily exerted through the 10-monohydroxy metabolite (MHD) of oxcarbazepine. The precise mechanism by which oxcarbazepine and MHD exert their antiseizure effect is unknown; however, in vitro electrophysiological studies indicate that they produce blockade of voltage-sensitive sodium channels, resulting in stabilization of hyperexcited neural membranes, inhibition of repetitive neuronal firing, and diminution of propagation of synaptic impulses. These actions are thought to be important in the prevention of seizure spread in the intact brain. In addition, increased potassium conductance and modulation of high-voltage activated calcium channels may contribute to the anticonvulsant effects of the drug.

Carbamazepine is an analgesic, anti-epileptic agent that is FDA approved for the treatment of epilepsy, trigeminal neuralgia. It appears to act by reducing polysynaptic responses and blocking the post-tetanic potentiation. It depresses thalamic potential and bulbar and polysynaptic reflexes, including the linguomandibular reflex in cats. Commonly reported side effects of carbamazepine include: dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, ataxia, and vomiting. Carbamazepine is a potent inducer of hepatic CYP1A2, 2B6, 2C9/19, and 3A4 and may reduce plasma concentrations of concomitant medications mainly metabolized by CYP1A2, 2B6, 2C9/19, and 3A4 through induction of their metabolism, like Boceprevir, Cyclophosphamide, Aripiprazole, Tacrolimus, Temsirolimus and others.

Phenytoin is an anti-epileptic drug. Phenytoin has been used with much clinical success against all types of epileptiform seizures, except petit mal epilepsy. Phenytoin is a available for oral administration (tablets, capsules, suspension). CEREBYX® (fosphenytoin sodium injection) is a prodrug intended for parenteral administration; its active metabolite is phenytoin. CEREBYX should be used only when oral phenytoin administration is not possible. Although several potential targets for phenytoin action have been identified within the CNS (Na-K-ATPase, the GABAA receptor complex, ionotropic glutamate receptors, calcium channels and sigma binding sites) to date, though, the best evidence hinges on the inhibition of voltage-sensitive Na channels in the plasma membrane of neurons undergoing seizure activity.