Therapeutic compounds

1. A method for agonizing a γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor comprising contacting the GABA receptor with an effective amount of a (−)-stereoisomer of formula (I):

wherein X is H or F; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein X is H.

3. The method of claim 1 , which is the (−)-stereoisomer of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein X is H.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method comprises intravenous administration.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the (−)-stereoisomer of formula (I) is formulated as a lipid emulsion.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein X is H.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the GABA receptor is contacted in vitro.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the GABA receptor is contacted in vivo.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the GABA receptor is a γ-aminobutyric acid receptor sub-type A (GABA A ) receptor.

11. A method for agonizing a GABA receptor in an animal comprising administering to the animal an effective amount of a (−)-stereoisomer of formula (I):

wherein X is H or F; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein X is H.

13. The method of claim 11 , which is the (−)-stereoisomer of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein X is H.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the method comprises intravenous administration.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein X is H.

17. The method of claim 11 , wherein the (−)-stereoisomer of formula (I) is formulated as a lipid emulsion.

18. The method of claim 11 , wherein the method comprises intravenous administration of the (−)-stereoisomer of formula (I) formulated as a lipid emulsion.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein X is H.

20. The method of claim 11 , wherein the GABA receptor is a γ-aminobutyric acid receptor sub-type A (GABA A ) receptor.