Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site bbnccv.UUCP
Path: utzoo!decvax!genrad!mit-eddie!godot!harvard!bbnccv!sdyer
From: sdyer@bbnccv.UUCP (Steve Dyer)
Newsgroups: net.med
Subject: Re: Valium Patent Expires
Message-ID: <138@bbnccv.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 9-Mar-85 21:29:57 EST
Article-I.D.: bbnccv.138
Posted: Sat Mar  9 21:29:57 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 11-Mar-85 00:23:11 EST
References: <1214@aecom.UUCP> <12438@gatech.UUCP>
Distribution: na
Organization: Bolt Beranek and Newman, Cambridge, MA
Lines: 29

> Excuse me, but valium in [sic] not a tranquilizer.  It is an anxiolytic.
> It may seem that I am being a little picky,  but to say that valium is a
> tranquilizer is very wrong.  Phenothiazines are major tranquilizers,
> and barbiturates are minor tranquilizers, just to give you some examples.

Oh, puhleeaze!  To gleefully invoke Authority, here is Goodman and Gilman
(1980), p. 436:

"III. Drugs Used in the Treatment of Anxiety

Sedatives with useful antianxiety effects are consistently among the most
commonly prescribed drugs.  The appropriate generic name for this group
of agents remains uncertain, although there is much reason to suspect that
terms such as "anti-anxiety agents", "anxiolytics", and "tranquilizers"
represent to some extent wishful thinking  and the impact of advertising."

I would dare say that "tranquilizer" is the most common lay description
for drugs like Valium, other benzodiazepines, meprobamate and even low doses
of phenobarbital.  Slightly more informed usage would prepend "minor" before
the word.  Because all these drugs share certain properties and differ in
others, a single word can't do full justice to their pharmacology.  But,
when someone refers to Valium as a tranquilizer, we all know immediately
what they mean--I don't care what kind of improved calming effect Valium has
on rhesus monkeys over phenobarbital.  At least, it is hardly worse than
"anxiolytic."
-- 
/Steve Dyer
{decvax,linus,ima,ihnp4}!bbncca!sdyer
sdyer@bbnccv.ARPA