A group of trans- and cis-2-(2,6-dimethylphenoxy)-N-(2-hydroxycyclohexyl)acetamides (1–7) and -ethylamines (8–9) have been synthesized and investigated for their anticonvulsant activity. One of them, racemic trans-2-(2,6-dimethylphenoxy)-N-(2-hydroxycyclohexyl)acetamide proved to be the most effective in MES (mice, ip), exhibiting ED 50 =42.97mg/kg b.w. and TD 50 =105.67mg/kg b.w. It also proved protection in focal seizures (electric kindling, rats, ip) and it raises seizure threshold. The mechanism of action is inhibition of voltage-gated sodium currents and enhancement of GABA effect. Safety pharmacology assay on threshold tonic extension revealed no lowering of the seizure threshold.