neuroleptic
|neu-ro-lep-tic|
🇺🇸
/ˌnjʊroʊˈlɛptɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˌnjʊərəˈlɛptɪk/
acts on nerves to suppress activity
Etymology
'neuroleptic' originates from French, specifically the word 'neuroleptique', where 'neuro-' meant 'nerve' and Greek 'leptikos' (from 'lepsis') meant 'taking hold' or 'seizing'.
'neuroleptic' changed from French 'neuroleptique' (coined in the mid 20th century to describe drugs producing 'neurolepsis') and was adopted into English as 'neuroleptic'.
Initially, it referred to producing a state of 'neurolepsis' (psychomotor slowing and emotional indifference), but over time it evolved into its current primary meaning of 'an antipsychotic drug' (especially older typical antipsychotics).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a drug used to treat psychotic disorders; an antipsychotic (especially one of the older, 'typical' agents that produce marked sedation and motor side effects).
Chlorpromazine was one of the first neuroleptic drugs used to treat schizophrenia.
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Adjective 1
relating to or characteristic of neuroleptics; producing neurolepsis (a state of psychomotor slowing, emotional indifference and reduced responsiveness).
The patient developed neuroleptic side effects such as tremor and rigidity.
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Last updated: 2025/11/17 02:48