neuroleptic

noun

1. An antipsychotic drug.

   “The time has come, therefore, to establish some definite criteria for the new drugs that Delay called neuroleptics, of which chlorpromazine and reserpine are the primary ones, although chemically different.”

   “Neuroleptics, the first psychopharmacological treatments reported to be effective in adults, were interpreted as potent antianxiety drugs giving rise to the term "major tranquilizer" that was popular in the United States until the early 1970s and were also used to treat anxiety symptoms in children (as were other agents, including psychostimulants and antihistamintes).”

   “Thus initially neuroleptics may increase DA turnover and possibly even its action depending on the degree of postsynaptic block.”

adj

1. Having antipsychotic properties.

   “By mouth in doses of 2 to 3 grains, combined with neuroleptic drugs, it has enabled us to bring about a certain number of improvements in chronic schizophrenics.”

   “The mechanisms underlying the appearance of the parkinson-like symptoms during neuroleptic treatments are not ascertained.”

   “The neuroleptic drugs, and especially the phenothiazines, interact with a number of neurotransmitter systems in the brain and these actions can account for many of the pharmacological properties of the drugs.”