cns meds.

Anticonvulsants

Medications that stabilize electrical activity in the brain to prevent/reduce seizures. Used to treat epilepsy, certain types of nerve pain, and sometimes mood disorders. Work by calming overactive nerve signals, helping keep brain activity steady & controlled.

Generic Name of Neurontin

Gabapentin

Trade Name of Gabapentin

Neurontin

Classification of Gabapentin/Neurontin

Anticonvulsants

Indication of Gabapentin/Neurontin

Seizures, neuropathic pain postherpetic neuralgia (shingles)

Notes of Gabapentin/Neurontin

Also used for nerve pain, anxiety, and restless leg syndrome

Generic Name of Lamictal

Lamotrigine

Trade Name of Lamotrigine

Lamictal

Classification of Lamotrigine/Lamictal

Anticonvulsant

Indication of Lamotrigine/Lamictal

Seizures, bipolar disorder

Notes of Lamotrigine/Lamictal

Requires slow titration to minimize risk of rash

Generic Name of Topamax

Topiramate

Trade Name of Topiramate

Topamax

Classification of Topiramate/Topamax

Anticonvulsants

Indication of Topiramate/Topamax

Seizure, migraine prevention

Notes of Topiramate/Topamax

Also used for weight loss & other off-label uses. Can cause cognitive side effects

Generic Name of Keppra

Levetriacetam

Trade Name of Levetriacetam

Keppra

Classification of Levetriacetam/Keppra

Anticonvulsant

Indication of Levetriacetam/Keppra

Seizures

Dopamine Agonists

Medications that mimic dopamine in brain by activating dopamine receptors. Used to treat Parkinson’s disease & restless legs syndrome b/c they help improve movement, stiffness, and tremors when natural dopamine levels are low.

Generic Name of Requip

Ropinirole

Trade Name of Ropinirole

Requip

Classification of Ropinirole/Requip

Dopamine Agonist

Indication of Ropinirole/Requip

Parkinson’s disease, restless legs syndrome

Notes of Ropinirole/Requip

May cause drowsiness, nausea, and impulse control problems

5-HT1 Receptor Agonist

often called triptans; activate serotonin receptors to narrow swollen blood vessels & block pain pathways; Used to treat migraine headaches & help stop the headache, nausea, and sensitivity to light & sound

Generic Name Imitrex

Sumatriptan

Trade Name of Sumatriptan

Imitrex

Classification of Sumatriptan/Imitrex

5-HT1 Receptor Agonist

Indication of Sumatriptan/Imitrex

Migraine, cluster headaches

Notes of Sumatriptan/Imitrex

Used for acute migraine attacks

Mood Stabilizers

Medications that balance & steady mood swings, especially in conditions like bipolar disorder; help prevent both manic & depressive episodes by keeping brain activity more even & controlled over time

Generic Name of Depakote

Divalproex

Trade Name of Divalproex

Depakote

Classification of Divalproex/Depakote

Anticonvulsant/Mood Stabilizer

Indication of Divalproex/Depakote

Seizures, bipolar disorder, migraine prevention

Notes of Divalproex/Depakote

Can cause liver toxicity & birth defects; requires monitoring

Generic Name of Tegretol

Carbamazepine

Trade Name of Carbamazepine

Tegretol

Classification of Carbamazepine/Tegretol

Anticonvulsant/Mood Stabilizer

Indication of Carbamazepine/Tegretol

Seizures, trigeminal neuralgia, bipolar disorder

Notes of Carbamazepine/Tegretol

Can cause bone marrow suppression & requires monitoring

Dopamine Precursors

Medications that the body converts into dopamine, helping replace what is missing; mainly used for Parkinson’s disease to improve movement, stiffness, and tremors by boosting dopamine levels in brain

Trade Name of Carbidopa/Levodopa

Sinemet

Generic Name of Sinemet

Carbidopa/Levodopa

Classification of Carbidopa/Levodopa/Sinemet

Dopamine Precursor

Indication of Carbidopa/Levodopa/Sinemet

Parkinson’s disease

Notes of Carbidopa/Levodopa/Sinemet

Levodopa is converted to dopamine in the brain; Carbidopa prevents peripheral breakdown of levodopa, allowing more levodopa to reach brain

Generic Name of Antivert/Bonine

Meclizine

Trade Name of Meclizine

Antivert/Bonine

Classification of Meclizine/Antivert/Bonine

Antihistamine/Antiemetic

Indication of Meclizine/Antivert/Bonine

Vertigo, motion sickness

Notes of Meclizine/Antivert/Bonine

OTC