Psychiatria pre prax 2/2005

ANTIPSYCHOTIC DRUGS – A RISK FACTOR FOR VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM?

A treatment with antipsychotic drugs is associated with an increased risk of a venous thrombosis. The biological mechanism responsible for this possible adverse drug reaction is unknown, but the number of explaining hypotheses is growing. Some abnormalities of coagulation or a stasis of blood flow are considered. The influence of the life-style of patients with the long-term antipsychotic therapy can’t be neglected. In most cases, there are additional risk factors. Double-blind studies still failed to prove a possible connection between an increased risk of a venous thromboembolism and the treatment with antipsychotics drugs as yet. We present case-reports related to this topic.

Keywords: antipsychotics, venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, antiphospholipids antibodies.