Major Tranquillizers (First-Generation / Typical Antipsychotics)

Major tranquillisers were introduced primarily in the 1950s and 1960s to treat severe psychotic disorders like schizophrenia. They work mainly by blocking dopamine ($D_2$) receptors in the brain to reduce acute agitation, delusions, and hallucinations.

• Chlorpromazine (Thorazine®): The groundbreaking first-generation antipsychotic introduced in the 1950s that transformed psychiatric care and made widespread community-based treatment possible.

• Thioridazine (Mellaril®): A typical antipsychotic used historically to manage severe behaviour problems, psychosis, and severe anxiety in adult patients.

• Trifluoperazine (Stellazine®): A high-potency typical antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia and short-term severe anxiety.

Antimaniac Agents / Mood Stabilisers

• Lithium Carbonate:

  • Classification: An antimaniac agent/mood stabiliser (not a minor tranquilliser).

  • Primary Use: Treats and prevents manic episodes in bipolar disorder and stabilises severe mood fluctuations.

Minor Tranquillisers (Antianxiety Agents / Anxiolytics & Sedatives)

Minor tranquillisers are used to reduce acute anxiety, muscular tension, and severe stress without exerting the profound antipsychotic effects of major tranquillisers.

Drug Name	Class / Type	Primary Function
Valium® (Diazepam)	Benzodiazepine	Enhances GABA activity to reduce acute anxiety, muscle spasms, and panic.
Librium® (Chlordiazepoxide) (Note: Often mistaken for Lithium in lists)	Benzodiazepine	Used for short-term relief of anxiety and managing acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Vistaril® (Hydroxyzine)	Antihistamine / Non-benzodiazepine	Calms the central nervous system to relieve anxiety and tension.
Miltown® (Meprobamate)	Carbamate derivative	One of the earliest widely prescribed minor tranquillisers (popular in the 1950s) for short-term anxiety management.