“These findings indicate that VTE is directly linked to the use of an antipsychotic, and that the risk of VTE increases early after starting the drug.”
The implications are potentially far reaching. “Despite their association with serious risks and few data to support their efficacy, antipsychotics are widely used, and in 2008 they became the top selling drug class in the United States,” they wrote.
ROSA LIPEROTI, M.D., is a specialist in geriatrics and GIOVANNI GAMBASSI, M.D., is a professor of geriatrics at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Rome. Both Dr. Liperoti and Dr. Gambassi reported that they have no relevant financial relationships. These comments were taken from a commentary that accompanied the study (BMJ 2010 Sept. 21 [doi: 10.1136/bmj.c4216]).