List of CNS-active medicines

This page lists medicines and research materials with documented central nervous system (CNS) effects, organized by pharmacological class. Approved pharmaceuticals, controlled substances, botanical medicines, and research materials are all included.

Note: This list is continuously expanded. Pages marked as stubs are awaiting clinical detail.

Antidepressants

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

• Citalopram (Celexa)
• Escitalopram (Lexapro)
• Fluoxetine (Prozac)
• Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
• Paroxetine (Paxil)
• Sertraline (Zoloft)

Serotonin–Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)

• Venlafaxine (Effexor)
• Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
• Levomilnacipran (Fetzima)
• Milnacipran (Savella)

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)

• Amitriptyline (Elavil)
• Amoxapine
• Clomipramine (Anafranil)
• Desipramine (Norpramin)
• Doxepin (Sinequan)
• Imipramine (Tofranil)
• Maprotiline (Ludiomil)
• Nortriptyline (Pamelor)
• Protriptyline (Vivactil)
• Trimipramine (Surmontil)

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)

• Isocarboxazid (Marplan)
• Moclobemide (Aurorix)
• Phenelzine (Nardil)
• Tranylcypromine (Parnate)

Atypical / Other Antidepressants

• Agomelatine (Valdoxan)
• Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
• Mirtazapine (Remeron)
• Nefazodone (Serzone)
• Reboxetine (Edronax)
• Tianeptine (Stablon)
• Trazodone (Desyrel)
• Vilazodone (Viibryd)
• Vortioxetine (Trintellix)
• Atomoxetine (Strattera)

Antipsychotics / Neuroleptics

First-Generation (Typical)

• Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
• Droperidol (Inapsine)
• Fluphenazine (Prolixin)
• Loxapine (Loxitane)
• Molindone (Moban)
• Perphenazine (Trilafon)
• Pimozide (Orap)
• Prochlorperazine (Compazine)
• Thioridazine (Mellaril)
• Thiothixene (Navane)
• Trifluoperazine (Stelazine)

Second-Generation (Atypical)

• Aripiprazole (Abilify)
• Asenapine (Saphris)
• Brexpiprazole (Rexulti)
• Cariprazine (Vraylar)
• Clozapine (Clozaril)
• Iloperidone (Fanapt)
• Lumateperone (Caplyta)
• Lurasidone (Latuda)
• Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
• Paliperidone (Invega)
• Quetiapine (Seroquel)
• Risperidone (Risperdal)
• Ziprasidone (Geodon)

Mood Stabilizers

• Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
• Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)
• Valproic acid (Depakote)

Anxiolytics & Sedative-Hypnotics

Benzodiazepines

• Bromazepam (Lexotan)
• Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
• Clobazam (Onfi)
• Clonazepam (Klonopin)
• Clorazepate (Tranxene)
• Diazepam (Valium)
• Estazolam (ProSom)
• Flurazepam (Dalmane)
• Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol)
• Lorazepam (Ativan)
• Lormetazepam
• Midazolam (Versed)
• Nitrazepam (Mogadon)
• Oxazepam (Serax)
• Quazepam (Doral)
• Temazepam (Restoril)
• Triazolam (Halcion)

Z-Drugs

• Eszopiclone (Lunesta)
• Zaleplon (Sonata)
• Zolpidem (Ambien)
• Zopiclone (Imovane)

Other Anxiolytics

• Buspirone (Buspar)
• Hydroxyzine (Vistaril)
• Meprobamate (Miltown)

Orexin Antagonists

• Lemborexant (Dayvigo)
• Suvorexant (Belsomra)

Melatonin Medicines

• Melatonin
• Ramelteon (Rozerem)
• Tasimelteon (Hetlioz)

Stimulants & Wake-Promoting Agents

Amphetamines

• Mixed amphetamine salts (Adderall)
• Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine)
• Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)
• Methamphetamine (Desoxyn)
• Ephedrine
• Fenethylline (Captagon)

Methylphenidates

• Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
• Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin)

Non-Stimulant ADHD Medicines

• Clonidine (Kapvay)
• Guanfacine (Intuniv)
• Viloxazine (Qelbree)

Eugeroics

• Adrafinil
• Armodafinil (Nuvigil)
• Modafinil (Provigil)
• Pitolisant (Wakix)

Xanthines

• Caffeine
• Theacrine
• Theophylline

Other Stimulants

• Cocaine
• Nicotine
• Phenethylamine
• Propylhexedrine (Benzedrex)
• Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
• Prolintane
• Desoxypipradrol
• Bromantane
• Cyclazodone
• Methiopropamine

Barbiturates

• Pentobarbital (Nembutal)
• Phenobarbital (Luminal)
• Secobarbital (Seconal)
• Thiopental (Pentothal)
• Methohexital (Brevital)
• Primidone (Mysoline)

GABAergics

• Baclofen (Lioresal)
• GHB (Xyrem)
• GBL
• 1,4-Butanediol
• Gaboxadol (THIP)
• Kava
• Methaqualone (Quaalude)
• Phenibut
• F-Phenibut
• Gabapentin (Neurontin)
• Pregabalin (Lyrica)

Opioids / Analgesics

Natural Opioids

• Morphine
• Codeine
• Thebaine
• Papaverine

Semisynthetic Opioids

• Buprenorphine (Suboxone)
• Butorphanol (Stadol)
• Diacetylmorphine (Heroin)
• Dihydrocodeine
• Ethylmorphine
• Hydrocodone (Vicodin)
• Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
• Nalbuphine (Nubain)
• Oxycodone (OxyContin)
• Oxymorphone (Opana)

Synthetic Opioids

• Alfentanil (Alfenta)
• Carfentanil
• Dextropropoxyphene (Darvon)
• Fentanyl (Duragesic)
• Levorphanol
• Methadone (Dolophine)
• Meperidine (Demerol)
• O-Desmethyltramadol (O-DSMT)
• Pentazocine (Talwin)
• Remifentanil (Ultiva)
• Sufentanil (Sufenta)
• Tapentadol (Nucynta)
• Tramadol (Ultram)
• U-47700
• Acetylfentanyl
• Desomorphine (Krokodil)

Opioid Antagonists

• Naloxone (Narcan)
• Naltrexone (Vivitrol)
• Nalmefene (Selincro)

Kratom & Related

• Kratom
• Mitragynine
• 7-Hydroxymitragynine

Anticonvulsants / Antiepileptics

• Brivaracetam (Briviact)
• Cannabidiol (Epidiolex)
• Cenobamate (Xcopri)
• Eslicarbazepine (Aptiom)
• Ethosuximide (Zarontin)
• Felbamate (Felbatol)
• Fenfluramine (Fintepla)
• Fosphenytoin (Cerebyx)
• Lacosamide (Vimpat)
• Levetiracetam (Keppra)
• Perampanel (Fycompa)
• Phenytoin (Dilantin)
• Rufinamide (Banzel)
• Stiripentol (Diacomit)
• Tiagabine (Gabitril)
• Topiramate (Topamax)
• Vigabatrin (Sabril)
• Zonisamide (Zonegran)

Antiparkinsonian Medicines

• Levodopa
• Carbidopa/levodopa (Sinemet)
• Pramipexole (Mirapex)
• Ropinirole (Requip)
• Rotigotine (Neupro)
• Bromocriptine (Parlodel)
• Cabergoline (Dostinex)
• Apomorphine (Apokyn)
• Rasagiline (Azilect)
• Safinamide (Xadago)
• Selegiline (Eldepryl)
• Entacapone (Comtan)
• Opicapone (Ongentys)
• Tolcapone (Tasmar)
• Benztropine (Cogentin)
• Biperiden (Akineton)
• Trihexyphenidyl (Artane)
• Amantadine (Symmetrel)

Anti-Dementia Medicines

• Donepezil (Aricept)
• Galantamine (Razadyne)
• Rivastigmine (Exelon)
• Memantine (Namenda)
• Aducanumab (Aduhelm)
• Lecanemab (Leqembi)
• Donanemab (Kisunla)

Anesthetics

General & Inhalational

• Propofol (Diprivan)
• Etomidate (Amidate)
• Esketamine (Spravato)
• Sevoflurane
• Isoflurane
• Desflurane
• Halothane
• Nitrous oxide
• Xenon
• Dexmedetomidine (Precedex)
• Chloroform
• Diethyl ether

Local Anesthetics

• Benzocaine
• Bupivacaine
• Lidocaine
• Procaine
• Ropivacaine

Muscle Relaxants (CNS-acting)

• Carisoprodol (Soma)
• Chlorzoxazone (Parafon Forte)
• Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
• Methocarbamol (Robaxin)
• Metaxalone (Skelaxin)
• Orphenadrine (Norflex)
• Tizanidine (Zanaflex)

Antihistamines (CNS-active)

• Brompheniramine
• Chlorpheniramine
• Cyproheptadine (Periactin)
• Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• Doxylamine (Unisom)
• Meclizine (Antivert)
• Promethazine (Phenergan)

Addiction Medicine

• Acamprosate (Campral)
• Disulfiram (Antabuse)
• Lofexidine (Lucemyra)
• Varenicline (Chantix)

Migraine Medicines

Triptans

• Almotriptan (Axert)
• Eletriptan (Relpax)
• Frovatriptan (Frova)
• Naratriptan (Amerge)
• Rizatriptan (Maxalt)
• Sumatriptan (Imitrex)
• Zolmitriptan (Zomig)

Gepants (CGRP antagonists)

• Atogepant (Qulipta)
• Rimegepant (Nurtec)
• Ubrogepant (Ubrelvy)
• Lasmiditan (Reyvow)

Ergotamines

• Dihydroergotamine (DHE)
• Ergotamine (Cafergot)

Psychedelics

Classical Psychedelics

• DMT
• LSD
• Psilocybin
• Psilocin
• Ibogaine
• Salvinorin A
• LSA
• Ayahuasca
• Bufotenin
• Iboga

Empathogens / Entactogens

• MDMA
• MDA
• MDAI
• MDEA
• 5-APB
• 5-MAPB
• 6-APB
• 6-APDB
• PMA
• PMMA

Dissociatives

• Phencyclidine (PCP)
• Dextromethorphan (DXM)
• Dextrorphan (DXO)
• Diphenidine
• Ephenidine

Deliriants

• Atropine
• Hyoscyamine
• Scopolamine (Transderm)
• Benzydamine (Tantum)
• Datura
• Muscimol
• Ibotenic acid
• Myristicin
• Amanita muscaria

Cannabinoids

• THC
• Delta-8-THC
• Delta-10-THC
• THCP
• HHC
• Dronabinol (Marinol)
• Nabilone (Cesamet)
• Nabiximols (Sativex)
• JWH-018
• JWH-073
• 5F-AKB48
• 5F-PB-22
• AB-FUBINACA
• APICA
• STS-135
• THJ-018
• THJ-2201

Nootropics

• Aniracetam
• Coluracetam
• L-Theanine
• Noopept
• Oxiracetam
• Phenylpiracetam
• Piracetam
• Pramiracetam
• Semax

Botanicals & Natural Medicines

• Cannabis
• Psilocybin mushrooms
• Peyote
• San Pedro cactus
• Morning Glory
• Hawaiian Baby Woodrose
• Salvia divinorum
• Syrian rue
• Harmine
• Harmaline
• Tetrahydroharmine
• Blue lotus
• Calea zacatechichi
• Yopo

Research Materials

Lysergamides

• 1B-LSD
• 1cP-LSD
• 1P-LSD
• 1V-LSD
• AL-LAD
• ALD-52
• ETH-LAD
• LSH
• LSZ
• MiPLA
• PRO-LAD

Tryptamines

• 4-AcO-DET
• 4-AcO-DiPT
• 4-AcO-DMT
• 4-AcO-MET
• 4-AcO-MiPT
• 4-HO-DET
• 4-HO-DiPT
• 4-HO-DPT
• 4-HO-EPT
• 4-HO-MET
• 4-HO-MiPT
• 5-MeO-DALT
• 5-MeO-DiPT
• 5-MeO-DMT
• 5-MeO-MiPT
• aMT
• Baeocystin
• DET
• DiPT
• DPT
• EPT
• MET
• MiPT
• 5,6-MDO-DMT

2C-x and DOx Phenethylamines

• 2C-B
• 2C-C
• 2C-D
• 2C-E
• 2C-I
• 2C-P
• 2C-T-2
• 2C-T-7
• 2C-B-FLY
• Bromo-DragonFLY

• DOB
• DOC
• DOI
• DOM
• TMA-2

NBOMe / NBOH Series

• 25B-NBOMe
• 25B-NBOH
• 25C-NBOMe
• 25C-NBOH
• 25I-NBOMe
• 25I-NBOH
• 25N-NBOMe

Mescaline Analogues

• Allylescaline
• Escaline
• Methallylescaline
• Proscaline

Cathinones & Pyrrolidinophenones

• 3-MMC
• Butylone
• Cathinone
• Ephylone
• Ethcathinone
• Ethylone
• Hexedrone
• Mephedrone
• Methcathinone
• Methylone
• Mexedrone
• N-Ethylhexedrone
• N-Ethylpentedrone
• Pentedrone
• alpha-PHP
• alpha-PVP
• MDPV

Novel Amphetamines

• 2-FA
• 2-FMA
• 3-FA
• 3-FMA
• 4-FA
• 4-FMA

Novel Phenidates

• 3,4-CTMP
• 4F-EPH
• 4F-MPH
• Ethylphenidate
• Isopropylphenidate
• Methylnaphthidate

Novel Dissociatives (Arylcyclohexylamines)

• 2-FDCK
• 3-HO-PCE
• 3-HO-PCP
• 3-MeO-PCE
• 3-MeO-PCP
• 4-MeO-PCP
• Deschloroketamine
• Eticyclidine
• Methoxetamine
• O-PCE

Novel / Designer Benzodiazepines

• Clonazolam
• Diclazepam
• Deschloroetizolam
• Etizolam
• Flualprazolam
• Flubromazepam
• Flubromazolam
• Flunitrazolam
• Metizolam
• Nifoxipam
• Pyrazolam

Miscellaneous Research Materials

• 2-AI
• NM-2-AI
• Nitromethaqualone
• mCPP
• RTI-111
• 5-HTP
• Acacia confusa