Tranquilizing Agents
| Definition: |
A traditional grouping of drugs said to have a soothing or calming effect on mood, thought, or behavior. Included here are the ANTI-ANXIETY AGENTS (minor tranquilizers), ANTIMANIC AGENTS, and the ANTIPSYCHOTIC AGENTS (major tranquilizers). These drugs act by different mechanisms and are used for different therapeutic purposes. |
| Notes: |
GEN or unspecified; prefer specific groups or specific drugs; available also are TRANQUILIZING AGENTS, MINOR see ANTI-ANXIETY AGENTS & TRANQUILIZING AGENTS, MAJOR see ANTIPSYCHOTIC AGENTS |
Tranquilizing Agents Categories.
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Anti-Anxiety Agents - Agents that alleviate anxiety, tension, and neurotic symptoms, promote sedation, and have a calming effect without affecting clarity of consciousness or neurologic conditions. Some are also effective as anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants, or anesthesia adjuvants. ADRENERGIC BETA-ANTAGONISTS are commonly used in the symptomatic treatment of anxiety but are not included here. |
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Antimanic Agents - Agents that are used to treat bipolar disorders or mania associated with other affective disorders. |
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Antipsychotic Agents - Agents that control agitated psychotic behavior, alleviate acute psychotic states, reduce psychotic symptoms, and exert a quieting effect. They are used in schizophrenia, senile dementia, transient psychosis following surgery or myocardial infarction, etc. These drugs are often referred to as neuroleptics alluding to the tendency to produce neurological side effects, but not all antipsychotics are likely to produce such effects. Many of these drugs may also be effective against nausea, emesis, and pruritus. |
Tranquilizing Agents Definitions and Terms
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