What is the difference between a neuroleptic and an antipsychotic medicaton?

They are often considered the same thing, but the differences are subtle. Neuroleptics are in the class on antipsychotics, and these days almost all antipsychotics are neuroleptics. This has not always been true. Almost all antipsychotics depress some form of nerve function in the brain. It gets very complicated to describe which and the terminology is difficult.

Dictionary definitions:

neuroleptic

adjective
(chiefly of a drug) tending to reduce nervous tension by depressing nerve functions.

noun
a drug of this kind; a major tranquilizer.

antipsychotic

adjective
(chiefly of a drug) used to treat psychotic disorders.

noun
an antipsychotic drug.

RonMan

They are the same thing.