How the DEC Program groups CNS depressants
The Drug Evaluation and Classification (DEC) Program sorts impairing drugs into seven categories based on the signs and symptoms they typically produce, and CNS depressants are one of those categories. It is a broad category: along with benzodiazepines and barbiturates, it includes many antidepressants, antipsychotics and antihistamines, and some antiepileptics. Our CNS Depressants: DRE Subcategories page breaks the category into subcategories, with generic names, common brand names and notes.
Antipsychotics
Typical Antipsychotics
Typical Antipsychotics (Antipsychotics)| Drug Name | Brand Name | Notes |
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| Chlorpromazine | | Formerly known by brand name Thorazine |
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| Fluphenazine | | |
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| Haloperidol | Haldol | |
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| Loxapine | Adasuve | |
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| Perphenazine | | |
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| Pimozide | | |
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| Thioridazine | | |
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| Trifluoperazine | | |
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Atypical Antipsychotics
Atypical Antipsychotics (Antipsychotics)| Drug Name | Brand Name | Notes |
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| Amisulpride | Barhemsys (IV solution) | |
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| Asenapine | Saphris, Secuado | |
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| Aripiprazole | Abilify | |
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| Brexpiprazole | Rexulti | |
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| Cariprazine | Vraylar | |
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| Clozapine | Versacloz | |
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| Iloperidone | Fanapt | |
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| Lumateperone | Caplyta | |
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| Lurasidone | Latuda | |
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| Olanzapine | Zyprexa, Lybalvi | |
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| Paliperidone | Invega | |
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| Quetiapine | Seroquel | |
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| Risperidone | Risperdal | |
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| Ziprasidone | Geodon | |
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| Droperidol | Innovar | |
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Antidepressants
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI)
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) (Antidepressants)| Drug Name | Brand Name | Notes |
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| Citalopram | Celexa | |
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| Escitalopram | Lexapro | |
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| Paroxetine | Paxil, Paxil CR, Pexeva | |
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| Fluoxetine | Prozac | |
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| Sertraline | Zoloft | |
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| Fluvoxamine | Luvox | |
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Serotonin / Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRI)
Serotonin / Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRI) (Antidepressants)| Drug Name | Brand Name | Notes |
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| Duloxetine | Cymbalta | |
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| Venlafaxine | Effexor, Effexor XR | |
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| Levomilnacipran | Fetzima | |
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| Desvenlafaxine | Pristiq, Khedezla | |
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| Milnacipran | Savella | |
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Atypical Antidepressants
Atypical Antidepressants (Antidepressants)| Drug Name | Brand Name | Notes |
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| Nefazodone | Serzone | |
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| Mirtazapine | Remeron | |
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| Bupropion | Wellbutrin | |
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| Maprotiline | Ludiomil | |
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| Vortioxetine | Trintellix/ Brintellix | |
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| Vilazodone | Viibryd | |
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| Trazodone | Desyrel | |
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| Esketamine | Spravato (nasal spray) | |
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| Brexanolone | Zulresso (IV) | |
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Tricyclic Antidepressants
Tricyclic Antidepressants (Antidepressants)| Drug Name | Brand Name | Notes |
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| Amoxapine | No brand name | |
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| Amitriptyline | Elavil | |
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| Desipramine | Norpramin | |
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| Nortriptyline | Pamelor | |
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| Doxepin | No brand name | |
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| Trimipramine | No brand name | |
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| Imipramine | Tofranil | |
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| Protriptyline | No brand name | |
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| Clomipramine | Anafranil | |
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Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (Antidepressants)| Drug Name | Brand Name | Notes |
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| Selegiline | Emsam (skin patch) / Zelapar (oral) | |
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| Isocarboxazid | Marplan | |
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| Phenelzine | Nardil | |
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| Tranylcypromine | Parnate | |
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Sedative Hypnotics
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (Sedative Hypnotics)| Drug Name | Brand Name | Notes |
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| Alprazolam | Xanax, Xanax XR | |
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| Chlordiazepoxide HCL | Librium | |
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| Clobazam | Onfi | |
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| Clonazepam | Klonopin | |
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| Clorazepate | Gen-Xene, Tranxene | |
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| Diazepam | Diastat, Acudial, Valium, Valtoco | |
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| Estazolam | No brand name | |
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| Flurazepam | No brand name | |
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| Lorazepam | Ativan | |
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| Midazolam | Nayzilam, Seizalam | |
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| Oxazepam | No brand name | |
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| Quazepam | Doral | |
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| Temazepam | Restoril | |
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| Triazolam | Halcion | |
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| Flunitrazepam | Rohypnol | Not legally dispensed in US, relevant due to prominent history of use in DFSA |
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Barbiturates
Barbiturates (Sedative Hypnotics)| Drug Name | Brand Name | Notes |
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| Butalbital | Fioricet, Allzital | Found in combination products with codeine, caffeine, acetaminophen, aspirin |
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| Pentobarbital | Nembutal | |
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| Phenobarbital | Luminal | |
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| Secobarbital | Seconal | |
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| Methohexital | Brevital Sodium (injectable) | |
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Non-Benzodiazepine Hypnotics
Non-Benzodiazepine Hypnotics (Sedative Hypnotics)| Drug Name | Brand Name | Notes |
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| Zolpidem | Ambien | |
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| Zaleplon | Sonata | |
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| Eszopiclone | Lunesta | |
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Other GABA-A Agents
Other GABA-A Agents (Sedative Hypnotics)| Drug Name | Brand Name | Notes |
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| Carisoprodol | Soma | |
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| Meprobamate | No brand name | |
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| Methaqualone | | Not legally dispensed in US |
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| Chloral Hydrate | | Not legally dispensed in US |
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| Ethanol | "Drinking" Alcohol | |
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Other Depressants
Antihistamines
Antihistamines (Other Depressants)| Drug Name | Brand Name | Notes |
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| Diphenhydramine | Benadryl | Numerous OTC preparations and brand names |
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| Doxylamine | Unisom | Numerous OTC preparations and brand names |
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| Dimenhydrinate | Dramamine | Numerous OTC preparations and brand names |
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| Hydroxyzine | Vistaril | Numerous OTC preparations and brand names |
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| Promethazine | Phenergan | Rx only - primarily used for nausea |
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| Cyclizine | Marezine | Few OTC preparations and brand names |
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| Brompheniramine | Dimetapp | Found in OTC children's cold relief products |
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| Clemastine | Tavist | Numerous OTC preparations and brand names |
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| Chlorpheniramine | Chlor-Trimeton | Numerous OTC preparations and brand names |
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| Cyproheptadine | Periactin | Rx only - multiple off-label uses |
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Antiepileptics
Antiepileptics (Other Depressants)| Drug Name | Brand Name | Notes |
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| Gabapentin | Neurontin, Gralise, Horizant | |
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| Pregabalin | Lyrica | |
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| Carbamazepine | Tegretol, Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetrol, Teril | |
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| Lamotrigine | Lamictal | |
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| Phenytoin | Dilantin | |
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| Valproic Acid | No brand name | |
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| Oxcarbazepine | Trileptal | |
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| Topiramate | Topamax, Eprontia, Qsymia, Qudexy, Trokendi | |
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Designer / Novel CNS Depressants (Not exhaustive)
Designer / Novel CNS Depressants (Not exhaustive) (Other Depressants)| Drug Name | Brand Name | Notes |
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| Etizolam | | |
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| Flualprazolam | | |
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| Phenazepam | | |
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| Diclazepam | | |
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| Flubromazepam | | |
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| Clonazolam | | |
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| Flubromazolam | | |
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| Pyrazolam | | |
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| Adinazolam | | |
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Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous (Other Depressants)| Drug Name | Brand Name | Notes |
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| Lithium | Lithobid | Mood stabilizer, unique mechanisms from others |
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| Gammahydroxybutyrate (GHB) aka Sodium Oxybate | Xyrem | GABA-B agonist |
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| 1,4 butanediol | GHB precursor | |
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| gamma-butyrolactone | GHB precursor | |
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| Baclofen | Ozobax | GABA-B agonist |
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| Cyclobenzaprine | Amrix (formerly Flexeril) | Muscle relaxer |
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| Metaxalone | Skelaxin | Muscle relaxer |
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| Clonidine | Catapres, Kapvay, Duraclon | Alpha-2 agonist used for hypertension, etc. |
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| Dexmedetomidine | Precedex | Alpha-2 agonist used for clinical sedation |
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