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Neuroleptics and Fatal Blood Clots

Neuroleptics: increased rate of venous thromboembolic events, Prescrire Int. 2006 Dec;15(86):224. (1) Neuroleptics have long been implicated in venous thromboembolic effects. (2) A cohort study of elderly patients showed that users of atypical neuroleptics have twice the relative risk of hospital admission for thromboembolism (95% confidence interval 1.50-2.70). (3) Results of a case-control study of 42 patients with a history of venous thromboembolism were similar: the risk of thrombosis increased by a factor of at least 7 among users of conventional neuroleptics under 60 years of age. (4) A case-control study of 62 cases of fatal pulmonary embolism showed a 13-fold higher risk among neuroleptic users. (5) It is not possible to compare the risks associated with conventional and atypical neuroleptics. (6) In practice, the risk of venous thromboembolism should be taken into account when deciding whether or not to prescribe a neuroleptic, and it should also be borne in mind during treatment.

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Last modified 09/22/2010
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