The nervous system serves as the control system for muscle movement, speech, thoughts, and emotions, and helps us with everyday tasks such as planning and learning. It regulates the function of other organs through peripheral nerves and hormonal secretion. It consists of the brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves, and peripheral nerves. Common diseases include stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.
Tables showing common drug classes and examples of the nervous system
Analgesics
| Drug class |
Generic name |
Brand name(s) |
Primary use |
| Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) |
Ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac |
Voltaren, Advil, Motrin, Aleve |
Pain, fever, inflammation |
| COX 2 inhibitors |
Celecoxib, rofecoxib |
Celebrex, Vioxx |
Arthritis, pain, inflammatory conditions |
| Narcotic analgesics |
Morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone, methadone |
OxyContin, Fentora, Vicodin, Kadian |
Pain relief, de-addiction therapy |
| Salicylates |
Aspirin |
Bayer Aspirin |
Pain, fever, inflammation, ischemic heart disease |
Antidepressants
| Drug class |
Generic name |
Brand name(s) |
Primary use |
| Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) |
Citalopram, fluoxetine, sertraline |
Celexa, Prozac, Zoloft |
Depression, anxiety, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, PTSD |
| Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) |
Duloxetine, venlafaxine, desvenlafaxine |
Cymbalta, Effexor, Pristiq |
Depression, anxiety, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, PTSD |
| Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) |
Amitriptyline, doxepin, imipramine |
Elavil, Tofranil, Sinequan |
Depression, anxiety, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, PTSD |
Other drug classes of the nervous system
| Drug class |
Generic name |
Brand name(s) |
Primary use |
| Antiepileptics |
Carbamazepine, gabapentin, phenytoin, valproic acid |
Tegetrol, Gralise, Dilantin, Depakote |
Prevention and treatment of epilepsy and seizures |
| Antipsychotics |
Haloperidol, loxapine, pimozide |
Haldol, Adasuve, Orap |
Treatment of schizophrenia and psychosis |
| Anxiolytics |
Buspirone |
BuSpar, Vanspar |
Treatment of anxiety, phobias, and panic disorder |
| Sedative-hypnotics |
Zolpidem, phenobarbital, alprazolam, diazepam |
Ambien, Sezaby, Xanax, Valium |
Treatment of insomnia, to decrease stress and anxiety |
| Topical anesthetics |
Lidocaine, bupivacaine, dibucaine, pramoxine |
Xylocaine, Marcaine, Nupercainal, Pramox |
To numb skin before local surgery |
