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Glite Dictionary
neuroleptic drug

neuroleptic drug

1 6.8
A medicine that calms serious mental illness like schizophrenia
  • noun
  • /ˌnjʊəroʊˈlɛptɪk drʌg/
  • Specialized
translation icon : fármaco neuroléptico
  • Researchers are developing new types of neuroleptic drugs with fewer adverse effects.

Examples

  • The doctor prescribed a neuroleptic drug for her condition.

  • The psychiatrist discussed possible side effects of the neuroleptic drug with the patient.

  • After being diagnosed with schizophrenia, she was prescribed a neuroleptic drug to help manage her symptoms.

  • Many patients benefit from neuroleptic drugs in managing symptoms.

  • The doctor prescribed a neuroleptic drug to help manage her symptoms of schizophrenia.

  • After switching to a new neuroleptic drug, he noticed a significant improvement in his mental health.

  • Many patients on neuroleptic drugs report feeling calmer and more focused during treatment.

Synonyms

antipsychotic
vsneuroleptic drug
  • Specialized
2 5.5

A medicine that reduces false beliefs and seeing or hearing things that are not there

focuses on the same treatment but uses a different name
antipsychotic drug
vsneuroleptic drug
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A medicine that calms serious mental problems like hearing or seeing things that are not there

is the same concept expressed using a different label
antipsychotic agent
vsneuroleptic drug
  • Specialized
5.6

A drug used to treat mental illness that calms people and reduces seeing or hearing things that are not there

is broader in scope applying to whole conditions not just symptoms
major tranquilizer
vsneuroleptic drug
  • Archaic
6.6

Strong medicine that calms people with serious mental illness like schizophrenia

is a general term for similar medicines without stressing strength
neuroleptic
vsneuroleptic drug
  • Specialized
8.7

A medicine used to treat schizophrenia that reduces strong symptoms like seeing or hearing things that are not real

emphasizes calming effect for psychotic conditions rather than nervous tension
neuroleptic agent
vsneuroleptic drug
  • Specialized
6.9

A medicine that calms people with severe mental illness such as psychosis

stresses general calming use for psychotic conditions instead of nervous tension

Surface Forms

neuroleptic drug singular
neuroleptic drugs plural

Morphology

neuroleptic + drug

The phrase is a straightforward noun phrase combining 'neuroleptic' (a drug used to treat psychotic disorders) with 'drug' (a medicine), so the overall meaning — a drug for treating psychotic conditions — is directly recoverable from its parts. This head-modifier composition is a common, compositional pattern and would be transparent to a learner who already knows both constituent meanings.

Etymology

Neuroleptic drug joins the parts neuro, meaning 'nerve' or 'brain', and -leptic, meaning 'to take hold', so you can picture a medicine that 'takes hold' of the brain to quiet it. So it refers to a drug that calms strong mental symptoms, such as those in schizophrenia.