Nervous System Drugs

Drug Name	IUPAC Name	Classification (KD Tripathi)	Drug Application	Receptors	Dosage Form	Route of Administration	Adverse Reactions	Appearance	Solubility	pKa Value	Functional Groups
Gabapentin	(2S)-2-(1-(aminomethyl)cyclohexyl)propanoic acid	Antiepileptic Subclass: GABA analogue	Neuropathic pain, epilepsy	Voltage-gated calcium channels	Capsule (100 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg) Tablet (600 mg, 800 mg) Oral solution (250 mg/5 mL)	Oral	Dizziness, somnolence, peripheral edema	White crystalline powder	Freely soluble in water	pKa = 3.4	Amine, carboxylic acid
Carbamazepine	5H-dibenzo[b,f]azepine-5-carboxamide	Antiepileptic Subclass: Sodium channel blocker	Epilepsy, trigeminal neuralgia	Voltage-gated sodium channels	Tablet (100 mg, 200 mg) Chewable tablet (100 mg) Suspension (100 mg/5 mL)	Oral	Dizziness, drowsiness, nausea	White to off-white powder	Soluble in water	pKa = 13.3	Amide, aromatic
Amitriptyline	3-(dimethylamino)-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene-5-carbonitrile	Antidepressant Subclass: Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)	Depression, neuropathic pain	Serotonin and norepinephrine transporters	Tablet (10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg)	Oral	Dry mouth, sedation, weight gain	White to off-white crystalline powder	Slightly soluble in water	pKa = 9.4	Amine, aromatic
Duloxetine	(S)-N-methyl-3-(naphthalen-1-yl)-3-(thiophen-2-yl)propan-1-amine	Antidepressant Subclass: Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI)	Depression, anxiety, neuropathic pain	Serotonin and norepinephrine transporters	Capsule (30 mg, 60 mg)	Oral	Nausea, dry mouth, fatigue	White to off-white powder	Slightly soluble in water	pKa = 9.3	Amine, ether
Venlafaxine	(2-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethanol	Antidepressant Subclass: SNRI	Depression, anxiety disorders	Serotonin and norepinephrine transporters	Capsule (37.5 mg, 75 mg, 150 mg) Tablet (75 mg, 150 mg)	Oral	Nausea, insomnia, sweating	White crystalline powder	Freely soluble in water	pKa = 9.6	Amine, alcohol
Clonazepam	5-(2-chlorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one	Benzodiazepine Subclass: Anticonvulsant	Anxiety, panic disorders, epilepsy	GABA-A receptor	Tablet (0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg) Oral solution (1 mg/mL)	Oral	Drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness	White to off-white powder	Practically insoluble in water	pKa = 2.0	Amine, carbonyl
Olanzapine	2-methyl-4-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)thieno[2,3-b]pyridin-3-ol	Antipsychotic Subclass: Atypical antipsychotic	Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder	Dopamine and serotonin receptors	Tablet (2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg) Oral solution (10 mg/mL)	Oral	Weight gain, sedation, metabolic changes	White to yellowish powder	Soluble in water	pKa = 9.2	Amine, thioether
Sertraline	(S)-N, N-dimethyl-3-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]phenylpropan-1-amine	Antidepressant Subclass: SSRI	Depression, anxiety disorders	Serotonin transporter (SERT)	Tablet (50 mg, 100 mg) Oral concentrate (20 mg/mL)	Oral	Diarrhea, insomnia, sexual dysfunction	White to off-white powder	Freely soluble in water	pKa = 9.5	Amine, aromatic
Lisdexamfetamine	(S)-N,N-dimethyl-2-phenylpropan-1-amine	Stimulant Subclass: Amphetamine	ADHD, binge eating disorder	Dopamine and norepinephrine transporters	Capsule (30 mg, 50 mg, 70 mg)	Oral	Insomnia, decreased appetite, anxiety	White to off-white powder	Soluble in water	pKa = 9.5	Amine, aromatic
Risperidone	3-(2-(4-(6-fluoro-1,2-benzisoxazol-3-yl)piperidin-1-yl)ethyl)-2-methyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one	Antipsychotic Subclass: Atypical antipsychotic	Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder	Dopamine and serotonin receptors	Tablet (0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg, 3 mg, 4 mg) Oral solution (1 mg/mL)	Oral	Extrapyramidal symptoms, sedation, weight gain	White to off-white powder	Soluble in water	pKa = 7.8	Amine, carbonyl
Methylphenidate	2-[(2R)-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-methylamino]propane-1-carboxylic acid	Stimulant Subclass: Dopamine reuptake inhibitor	ADHD, narcolepsy	Dopamine transporters	Tablet (5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg) Extended-release capsule (10 mg, 18 mg, 27 mg)	Oral	Insomnia, loss of appetite, headache	White crystalline powder	Soluble in water	pKa = 8.9	Amine, carbonyl
Fentanyl	N-phenyl-N-(1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl)propanamide	Opioid analgesic Subclass: Synthetic opioid	Severe pain	μ-opioid receptors	Patch (12 mcg/hour, 25 mcg/hour, 50 mcg/hour) Injection (50 mcg/mL)	Transdermal, intravenous	Respiratory depression, sedation, nausea	White to off-white powder	Soluble in organic solvents	pKa = 8.6	Aromatic, amine
Bupropion	(±)-2-(tert-butylamino)-3′-chloropropiophenone	Antidepressant Subclass: Norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI)	Depression, smoking cessation	Dopamine and norepinephrine transporters	Tablet (75 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg)	Oral	Insomnia, dry mouth, agitation	White crystalline powder	Freely soluble in water	pKa = 8.0	Amine, aromatic
Topiramate	2,3:4,5-bis-O-(1-methyl-ethylidene)-D-fructopyranose	Antiepileptic Subclass: Multiple mechanisms	Epilepsy, migraine prophylaxis	Multiple neurotransmitter receptors	Tablet (25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg)	Oral	Dizziness, fatigue, cognitive effects	White to off-white crystalline powder	Soluble in water	pKa = 9.8	Sugar, sulfate
Tramadol	(±)-trans-2-[(dimethylamino)methyl]-1-(3-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexanol	Analgesic Subclass: Opioid	Moderate to severe pain	μ-opioid and norepinephrine/serotonin receptors	Tablet (50 mg) Extended-release tablet (100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg)	Oral	Dizziness, nausea, constipation	White crystalline powder	Soluble in water	pKa = 9.4	Aromatic, amine

Drug Name

IUPAC Name

Classification (KD Tripathi)

Drug Application

Receptors

Dosage Form

Route of Administration

Adverse Reactions

Appearance

Solubility

pKa Value

Functional Groups

Fluoxetine

N-methyl-3-phenyl-3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]propan-1-amine

Antidepressant
Subclass: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)

Depression, OCD, panic disorder

Serotonin transporter (SERT)

Capsule (10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg)
Tablet (10 mg, 20 mg)
Oral solution (20 mg/5 mL)

Oral

Nausea, insomnia, sexual dysfunction

White to off-white crystalline solid

Slightly soluble in water

pKa = 9.5

Amine, ether, trifluoromethyl

Levetiracetam

(2S)-2-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)butanamide

Antiepileptic
Subclass: SV2A protein modulator

Epilepsy, partial onset seizures

Synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A)

Tablet (250 mg, 500 mg, 750 mg, 1000 mg)
Oral solution (100 mg/mL)
IV solution (100 mg/mL)

Oral, Intravenous

Somnolence, dizziness, behavioral changes

White to off-white crystalline powder

Freely soluble in water

pKa = -2 (very weak acid)

Amide, pyrrolidone

Memantine

3,5-dimethyladamantan-1-amine

Anti-Alzheimer's
Subclass: NMDA receptor antagonist

Moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor

Tablet (5 mg, 10 mg)
Oral solution (2 mg/mL)

Oral

Dizziness, confusion, headache

White to off-white powder

Soluble in water

pKa = 10.27

Primary amine, adamantane

Propranolol

1-(1-methylethylamino)-3-(1-naphthyloxy)propan-2-ol

Beta-blocker
Subclass: Non-selective beta-adrenergic antagonist

Hypertension, angina, migraine prophylaxis

β1 and β2 adrenergic receptors

Tablet (10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, 80 mg)
Extended-release capsule (60 mg, 80 mg, 120 mg, 160 mg)
Oral solution (4 mg/mL, 8 mg/mL)

Oral

Bradycardia, fatigue, cold extremities

White crystalline powder

Slightly soluble in water, soluble in ethanol

pKa = 9.45

Secondary amine, ether, alcohol

Haloperidol

4-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxypiperidin-1-yl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)butan-1-one

Antipsychotic
Subclass: Typical (first-generation) antipsychotic

Schizophrenia, acute psychosis, Tourette syndrome

Dopamine D2 receptor antagonist

Tablet (0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg)
Oral solution (2 mg/mL)
Injection (5 mg/mL)

Oral, Intramuscular, Intravenous

Extrapyramidal symptoms, QT prolongation, sedation

White to faintly yellowish microcrystalline powder

Practically insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol

pKa = 8.3

Ketone, alcohol, piperidine, chlorobenzene, fluorobenzene

Gabapentin

(2S)-2-(1-(aminomethyl)cyclohexyl)propanoic acid

Antiepileptic
Subclass: GABA analogue

Neuropathic pain, epilepsy

Voltage-gated calcium channels

Capsule (100 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg)
Tablet (600 mg, 800 mg)
Oral solution (250 mg/5 mL)

Oral

Dizziness, somnolence, peripheral edema

White crystalline powder

Freely soluble in water

pKa = 3.4

Amine, carboxylic acid

Carbamazepine

5H-dibenzo[b,f]azepine-5-carboxamide

Antiepileptic
Subclass: Sodium channel blocker

Epilepsy, trigeminal neuralgia

Voltage-gated sodium channels

Tablet (100 mg, 200 mg)
Chewable tablet (100 mg)
Suspension (100 mg/5 mL)

Oral

Dizziness, drowsiness, nausea

White to off-white powder

Soluble in water

pKa = 13.3

Amide, aromatic

Amitriptyline

3-(dimethylamino)-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene-5-carbonitrile

Antidepressant
Subclass: Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)

Depression, neuropathic pain

Serotonin and norepinephrine transporters

Tablet (10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg)

Oral

Dry mouth, sedation, weight gain

White to off-white crystalline powder

Slightly soluble in water

pKa = 9.4

Amine, aromatic

Duloxetine

(S)-N-methyl-3-(naphthalen-1-yl)-3-(thiophen-2-yl)propan-1-amine

Antidepressant
Subclass: Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI)

Depression, anxiety, neuropathic pain

Serotonin and norepinephrine transporters

Capsule (30 mg, 60 mg)

Oral

Nausea, dry mouth, fatigue

White to off-white powder

Slightly soluble in water

pKa = 9.3

Amine, ether

Venlafaxine

(2-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethanol

Antidepressant
Subclass: SNRI

Depression, anxiety disorders

Serotonin and norepinephrine transporters

Capsule (37.5 mg, 75 mg, 150 mg)
Tablet (75 mg, 150 mg)

Oral

Nausea, insomnia, sweating

White crystalline powder

Freely soluble in water

pKa = 9.6

Amine, alcohol

Clonazepam

5-(2-chlorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one

Benzodiazepine
Subclass: Anticonvulsant

Anxiety, panic disorders, epilepsy

GABA-A receptor

Tablet (0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg)
Oral solution (1 mg/mL)

Oral

Drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness

White to off-white powder

Practically insoluble in water

pKa = 2.0

Amine, carbonyl

Olanzapine

2-methyl-4-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)thieno[2,3-b]pyridin-3-ol

Antipsychotic
Subclass: Atypical antipsychotic

Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder

Dopamine and serotonin receptors

Tablet (2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg)
Oral solution (10 mg/mL)

Oral

Weight gain, sedation, metabolic changes

White to yellowish powder

Soluble in water

pKa = 9.2

Amine, thioether

Sertraline

(S)-N, N-dimethyl-3-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]phenylpropan-1-amine

Antidepressant
Subclass: SSRI

Depression, anxiety disorders

Serotonin transporter (SERT)

Tablet (50 mg, 100 mg)
Oral concentrate (20 mg/mL)

Oral

Diarrhea, insomnia, sexual dysfunction

White to off-white powder

Freely soluble in water

pKa = 9.5

Amine, aromatic

Lisdexamfetamine

(S)-N,N-dimethyl-2-phenylpropan-1-amine

Stimulant
Subclass: Amphetamine

ADHD, binge eating disorder

Dopamine and norepinephrine transporters

Capsule (30 mg, 50 mg, 70 mg)

Oral

Insomnia, decreased appetite, anxiety

White to off-white powder

Soluble in water

pKa = 9.5

Amine, aromatic

Risperidone

3-(2-(4-(6-fluoro-1,2-benzisoxazol-3-yl)piperidin-1-yl)ethyl)-2-methyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one

Antipsychotic
Subclass: Atypical antipsychotic

Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder

Dopamine and serotonin receptors

Tablet (0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg, 3 mg, 4 mg)
Oral solution (1 mg/mL)

Oral

Extrapyramidal symptoms, sedation, weight gain

White to off-white powder

Soluble in water

pKa = 7.8

Amine, carbonyl

Methylphenidate

2-[(2R)-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-methylamino]propane-1-carboxylic acid

Stimulant
Subclass: Dopamine reuptake inhibitor

ADHD, narcolepsy

Dopamine transporters

Tablet (5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg)
Extended-release capsule (10 mg, 18 mg, 27 mg)

Oral

Insomnia, loss of appetite, headache

White crystalline powder

Soluble in water

pKa = 8.9

Amine, carbonyl

Fentanyl

N-phenyl-N-(1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl)propanamide

Opioid analgesic
Subclass: Synthetic opioid

Severe pain

μ-opioid receptors

Patch (12 mcg/hour, 25 mcg/hour, 50 mcg/hour)
Injection (50 mcg/mL)

Transdermal, intravenous

Respiratory depression, sedation, nausea

White to off-white powder

Soluble in organic solvents

pKa = 8.6

Aromatic, amine

Bupropion

(±)-2-(tert-butylamino)-3′-chloropropiophenone

Antidepressant
Subclass: Norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI)

Depression, smoking cessation

Dopamine and norepinephrine transporters

Tablet (75 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg)

Oral

Insomnia, dry mouth, agitation

White crystalline powder

Freely soluble in water

pKa = 8.0

Amine, aromatic

Topiramate

2,3:4,5-bis-O-(1-methyl-ethylidene)-D-fructopyranose

Antiepileptic
Subclass: Multiple mechanisms

Epilepsy, migraine prophylaxis

Multiple neurotransmitter receptors

Tablet (25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg)

Oral

Dizziness, fatigue, cognitive effects

White to off-white crystalline powder

Soluble in water

pKa = 9.8

Sugar, sulfate

Tramadol

(±)-trans-2-[(dimethylamino)methyl]-1-(3-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexanol

Analgesic
Subclass: Opioid

Moderate to severe pain

μ-opioid and norepinephrine/serotonin receptors

Tablet (50 mg)
Extended-release tablet (100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg)

Oral

Dizziness, nausea, constipation

White crystalline powder

Soluble in water

pKa = 9.4

Aromatic, amine

References

Tripathi, K. D. (2013). Essentials of Medical Pharmacology. 7th ed. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers.
Brunton, L. L., Hilal-Dandan, R., & Knollmann, B. C. (2017). Goodman & Gilman's: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 13th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Education.
DrugBank Online. (2021). Drug & Drug Target Database. [online] Available at: https://go.drugbank.com/ [Accessed 10 Sep. 2024].
National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Database. [online] Available at: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ [Accessed 10 Sep. 2024].
Stahl, S. M. (2013). Stahl's Essential Psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific Basis and Practical Applications. 4th ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.