Imidazole derivatives modulating the sodium channels

A pharmaceutical composition for treating cardiac rhythm disorders linked with neurodegeneration, depression, bipolar disorders, and irritable bowel syndrome comprising an effective amount of a compound of the formula

• wherein
• R1 is alkyl of 3 to 16 carbon atoms or a cycloalkylalkyl, the cycloalkyl of which contains 3 to 7 carbon atoms and the alkyl of which has 1 to 6 carbon atoms,
• or R1 is aralkyl optionally substituted 1 to 3 times on the aryl by halogen and alkyl or alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms;
• R2 is phenyl optionally substituted 1 to 3 times by at least one member of the group consisting of halogen and alkyl or alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms,
• or R2 is biphenyl optionally substituted 1 to 4 times by at least one member selected from the group consisting of a halogen and alkyl or alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms;
• R3 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms sufficient to modulate sodium channels,
• it being understood however that:
• when R2 is phenyl optionally substituted 1 to 3 times, then R1 is not alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms nor
• in which R9 is one to three substituents selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen and alkyl or alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and R10 and R11 being independently hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms;
• when R2 is non-substituted biphenyl or when R2 is phenyl optionally substituted 1 to 3 times by substituents of halogen and alkyl or alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, then R1 is not —(CH2)n-Z in which n is an integer from 0 to 3 and Z is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or phenyl optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen and alkyl or alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms;
• or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and an inert carrier.