Nitrazepam (trade names: Alodorm, Apodorm, Arem, Mogadon, Nitrados, Nitrazadon, Nitrosun, Ormodon, Paxadorm, Remnos, and Somnite) is a hypnotic drug of the benzodiazepine class, indicated for the short-term relief of severe, disabling anxiety and insomnia. Nitrazepam has sedative and motor-impairing properties, as well as amnestic, anticonvulsant, and skeletal muscle relaxant effects. Nitrazepam is used to treat short-term sleeping problems (insomnia), namely difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakening, early awakening, or a combination of each. Nitrazepam is sometimes tried to treat epilepsy when other medications fail. It has been found to be more effective than clonazepam in the treatment of West syndrome, which is age-dependent epilepsy, affecting the very young. In uncontrolled studies, nitrazepam has shown effectiveness in infantile spasms and is sometimes considered when other anti-seizure drugs have failed. However, drowsiness, hypotonia, and most significantly tolerance to anti-seizure effects typically develop with long-term treatment, generally limiting Nitrazepam to acute seizure management. More common side effects may include: Central nervous system depression, including somnolence, dizziness, depressed mood, rage, violence, fatigue, ataxia, headache, vertigo, impairment of memory, impairment of motor functions, hangover feeling in the morning, slurred speech, decreased physical performance, numbed emotions, reduced alertness, muscle weakness, double vision, and inattention have been reported. Unpleasant dreams and rebound insomnia have also been reported. Nitrazepam is a long-acting benzodiazepine with an elimination half-life of 15–38 hours (mean elimination half-life 26 hours).

2-Dipiperonylaminoethanol is tertiary amine derivative classified by the WHO as an antipsychotic and anxiolytic drug. The compound was patented as antispasmodic medication in 1948.

WT-161 is a potent inhibitor of histone deacetylase (HDAC). It inhibits HDAC6, HDAC1, and HDAC2 with IC50 values of 0.4 nM, 8.35 nM, and 15.4 nM. The compound has demonstrated anti-tumor activity in preclinical models of multiple myeloma and breast cancer.

Flunitrazepam is an intermediate-acting benzodiazepine with general properties similar to those of diazepam. It is generally intended to be for short-term treatment for chronic or severe insomniacs who are unresponsive to other hypnotics. The main pharmacological effects of Flunitrazepam are the enhancement of GABA at the GABAA receptor. The physical effects of Flunitrazepam include sedation, muscle relaxation, decreased anxiety, and prevention of convulsions. It causes partial amnesia; individuals are unable to remember certain events that they experience while under the influence of the drug. Chronic use of Flunitrazepam can result in physical dependence and the appearance of a withdrawal syndrome when the drug is discontinued. Flunitrazepam impairs cognitive and psychomotor functions affecting reaction time and driving skill. The use of this drug in combination with alcohol is a particular concern as both central nervous system depressants potentiate each other's toxicity.

Emepronium bromide (Cetiprina) is a quarternary ammonium compound with anticholinergic effects. It is mainly used in the treatment of urinary frequency, urge and urge incontinence and is usually administered orally and occasionally intramuscularly. Emepronium bromide was introduced into Britain, after having been used in Sweden for a number of years. The drug was advocated especially for elderly patients suffering from nocturia and urgency with incontinence, when these were due to causes other than obstruction. It was also advocated for enuresis and hypertonic bladder states following surgery or radiotherapy.

Vinylbital is a barbiturate derivative. It was introduced into therapy in 1963 and used as a sedative and in the treatment of insomnia.

Niaprazine is a potent and selective antagonist of 5-HT2A and alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. It was used for the treatment of sleep disturbances in children and was investigated for the treatment of sleep disorders in patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and autistic disorder.

Apronalide is an acyclic analog of barbiturates. It was used under tradename "Sedormid" as a sedative an hypnotic agent. In 1934 it was discovered that the drug causes thrombocytopenic purpura. Apronalide is still marketed in Japan, where it is used in combination with caffeine and ibuprofen for the treatment of headache.

Valnoctamide is a valproic acid derivative associated with a decreased risk for congenital abnormalities and developed by Beersheva Mental Health Center for treatment mania. Valnoctamide has been marketed as an anxiolytic and sedative in several European countries (as Nirvanil), including Italy, Holland, and Switzerland, until the year 2000 but was not actively promoted as an anticonvulsant. It was marketed in the U.S. as Axiquel by McNeil Laboratories in the 1970s. In mice, valnoctamide has been shown to be distinctly less teratogenic than valproic acid. Injection of 3 mkmol ⁄ kg at day 8 of gestation produced only 1% exencephaly (as compared to 0–1% in control mice and 53% in valproate-treated mice). Embryolethality rates showed similar results: 52% with valproate versus 5% in the controls and 2% with valnoctamide. Valnoctamide's patent is expired, and it is not the property of any major pharmaceutical company. Valnoctamide has potential as a therapy in epilepsy including status epilepticus (SE) and neuropathic pain and is currently being developed for the treatment of mania and Schizoaffective Disorder. In clinical trials, Valnoctamide was well tolerated but lacked efficacy in the treatment of symptoms in patients with acute mania.

Chlorhexadol (or Chloralodol), a hypnotic compound which is included in the list of Schedule III drugs of the United States Controlled Substances Act.