thioridazine: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Specialized / Technical / Medical
Quick answer
What does “thioridazine” mean?
A phenothiazine derivative used as an antipsychotic medication, primarily in the treatment of schizophrenia.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A phenothiazine derivative used as an antipsychotic medication, primarily in the treatment of schizophrenia.
Historically used for its sedative and antipsychotic effects, but its use is now severely restricted in many countries due to cardiotoxic side effects.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage, spelling, or meaning. It is a standardized international scientific/medical term.
Connotations
Carries strong negative connotations in both varieties due to its association with severe side effects (e.g., cardiac arrhythmias) and the historical overuse of heavy sedatives in psychiatry. It is now considered a last-line or obsolete agent.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general discourse. Appears only in highly specialized texts (medical journals, pharmacology textbooks, historical psychiatric case studies). Its frequency is virtually identical in both UK and US medical contexts, where it is now a rarely mentioned historical drug.
Grammar
How to Use “thioridazine” in a Sentence
The physician prescribed [PATIENT] [DOSAGE] of thioridazine for [CONDITION].[CONDITION] was managed with thioridazine.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “thioridazine” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The thioridazine treatment was discontinued.
- A thioridazine-induced arrhythmia.
American English
- The thioridazine regimen was halted.
- Thioridazine-related cardiotoxicity.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical, pharmacological, and psychiatric history research. E.g., 'Thioridazine was a cornerstone of antipsychotic treatment in the mid-20th century.'
Everyday
Virtually never used. A non-expert might refer to it vaguely as 'an old antipsychotic' or 'strong sedative'.
Technical
Core usage domain. Discussed in contexts of pharmacokinetics, QT prolongation, receptor antagonism (D2, etc.), and historical treatment algorithms.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “thioridazine”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “thioridazine”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thioridazine”
- Mispronunciation: /ˈθaɪərɪdæziːn/ (misplacing stress).
- Misspelling: 'thioridazine', 'thioridazine'.
- Using it as a general term for medication; it is extremely specific.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It was historically used to treat schizophrenia and psychosis, but also for its calming and sedative effects.
It carries a significant risk of causing a life-threatening heart rhythm disorder called torsades de pointes, leading to its withdrawal or severe restriction in many countries.
In many jurisdictions, it has been withdrawn from the market. Where available, its use is heavily regulated and typically reserved for treatment-resistant cases where other options have failed.
It was widely marketed under the brand name Mellaril.
A phenothiazine derivative used as an antipsychotic medication, primarily in the treatment of schizophrenia.
Thioridazine is usually specialized / technical / medical in register.
Thioridazine: in British English it is pronounced /ˌθaɪəʊˈrɪdəziːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌθaɪoʊˈrɪdəziːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'THIOr-idazine' – 'THEE-oh-RID-a-zeen' – It RIDes the patient of psychosis, but watch the HEART (thio-).'
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable. It is a concrete entity (drug molecule).
Practice
Quiz
Thioridazine is primarily classified as what type of drug?