Felbamate was compared with several antiepileptic drugs for protective effects in two rat models of status epilepticus. Felbamate was ten times more potent against pilocarpine-induced seizures in lithium-treated rats than in lithium-free animals. Diazepam, valproate and phenobarbital were effective in both the high dose pilocarpine and lithium-pilocarpine models. On the other hand, phenytoin was ineffective in both models, whereas carbamazepine displayed protective effects only in the lithium-pilocarpine model.