Tranquilizer drug is used to reduce anxiety, fear, tension, agitation and related states of mental disturbance. Tranquilizers fall into two main classes, major and minor.

Major tranquilizers, which are also known as anti psychotic agents, or neuroleptics, are so called because they are used to treat major states of mental disturbance in schizophrenics and other psychotic patients.

By contrast, minor tranquilizers, which are also known as antianxiety agents or anxiolytics, are used to treat milder states of anxiety and tension in healthy individuals or people with less serious mental disorders.

Minor tranquilizers:
The most commonly known forms of tranquilizers are the benzodiazepines (or 'benzos'). These include Xana(alprazolam), Ativan, Valium(diazepam) and Librium(chlordiazepoxide). Those with sedating effects are used as sleeping pills, such as Restoril, Halcion, Dalmane, Serax.

These drugs have a calming effect and eliminate both the physical and psychological effects of anxiety or fear. Minor tranquilizers seem to have direct depressant effects on brain areas that regulate wakefulness and alertness, very similar in effect to alcohol and sedative barbiturates. They enhance the action of receptors that inhibit central nervous system stimulation, and conversely, inhibit the action of receptors that stimulate the nervous system.

Benzodiazepines are among the most widely prescribed drugs in the world. Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the action of the neurotransmitter gamma–aminobutyric acid (GABA), which inhibits anxiety by reducing certain nerve–impulse transmissions within the brain. Benzodiazepines resemble barbiturates in their side effects i.e., sleepiness, drowsiness, reduced alertness. Though less dangerous than barbiturates
Other less commonly used minor tranquilizer include meprobamate.

Major tranquilizers:
Major tranquilizers are called 'anti–psychotics' because they are generally used to treat symptoms of paranoia, psychosis or serious distortions in the perception of reality such as hallucinations or delusions.
Major tranquilizers primarily affect specific receptors in the brain that reduce psychotic thoughts, perceptions and agitation. These drugs include Haldol, Navane, Thorazine, Mellaril, and others. They are not central nervous system depressants like benzodiazepines but can be sedating in higher doses.

Major tranquilizers are highly selective in alleviating the delusions, hallucinations, disordered thinking of schizophrenics and other psychotic patients. The drugs return agitated, excited and irrational patients to a state of rational calm. Major tranquilizers do not cure schizophrenia but merely suppress its symptoms and they are usually prescribed on a long–term basis. The basic types are the phenothiazines, thioxanthines, butyrophenones and clozapine.

The phenothiazines are the most widely used of these and include the drug chlorpromazine. They are thought to work by blocking the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. This leads to a reduction of psychotic symptoms but can also result in such unwanted side effects as tremors of the limbs, rigidity, restlessness, involuntary spasms of the facial muscles, tongue and lips. The thioxanthines and the butyrophenones, chief among which is haloperidol (Haldol), are similar to the phenothiazines.

Intoxication:
Tranquilizers are powerful drugs that can impair our ability to function and should only be used as directed by a physician. Abusive or improper use may result in unpleasant and/or dangerous side effects such as:

• Difficulty concentrating.
• A 'floating' or disconnected sensation.
• Depressed heartbeat.
• Depressed breathing.
• Excessive sleep and sleepiness.
• Mental confusion and memory loss.

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