Semantic and pharmacological aspects towards a new classification of antipsychotic drugs

The main stages involved in the development of drugs effective against psychotic manifestations are presented, as well as their mechanisms of action. Justification is given for the terms antipsychotic drugs, neuroleptic antipsychotic drugs, non-neuroleptic antipsychotic drugs, and non neuroleptic antipsychotic drugs, effective against negative expressions of schizophrenia. These constitute the basis of the new classification of antipsychotic drugs suggested. Finally, the term "atypical neuroleptic drugs", frequently used in France, is described as badly constructed and unfortunate and should therefore be abandoned.