The invention is directed to substituted 2-aminoacetamides represented by formula (II): and to pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof, wherein the substituents are defined herein. The invention is also directed to the use of substituted 2-aminoacetamides in methods for the treatment of neuronal damage following global and focal ischemia, and for the treatment, prevention or amelioration of pain, anxiety, or manic depression, as anticonvulsants, as antimanic depressants, as local anesthetics, as antiarrhythmics and for the treatment or prevention of diabetic neuropathy.