minor tranquilliser
Noun: A minor tranquilliser is a type of medication (a tranquilizer) primarily used to relieve symptoms of anxiety, reduce tension, and lessen irritability. These drugs typically have a calming or sedative effect and are often prescribed for short-term management of anxiety disorders.
The term is used specifically in medical and pharmacological contexts to classify and discuss a category of psychoactive drugs. - It is often contrasted with "major tranquillisers" (antipsychotics), which are used for more severe psychiatric conditions. - The spelling "tranquilliser" (with a double 'l') is common in British English; the American English spelling is typically "tranquilizer".
- The doctor prescribed a minor tranquilliser to help manage her acute anxiety symptoms.
- Long-term use of minor tranquillisers can lead to dependence.
- Common minor tranquillisers include drugs from the benzodiazepine class.
- The term can appear in discussions about drug policy, addiction, and the over-prescription of anxiety medications.
- In formal medical writing, more specific drug class names (e.g., benzodiazepines, anxiolytics) are often preferred over the broader term "minor tranquilliser".
- Minor tranquilizer: The American English spelling variant.
- Anxiolytic: A more technical synonym referring to anxiety-reducing drugs.
- Sedative: A broader term for substances that induce calmness or sleep; all minor tranquillisers are sedatives, but not all sedatives are classified as minor tranquillisers.
- Benzodiazepine: A common class of drugs that function as minor tranquillisers (e.g., diazepam).
- Anxiolytic
- Anti-anxiety agent
- Sedative-hypnotic (in some contexts)
- Stimulant (e.g., amphetamine, caffeine)
- Anxiogenic (a substance that causes anxiety)
No common idioms or phrasal verbs are directly associated with this specific technical term.
- a tranquilizer used to relieve anxiety and reduce tension and irritability