Increasing evidence shows an elevated risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in antipsychotic drug users.

In general, no well-documented differences in the occurrence rate of VTE between first- and second-generation antipsychotics or between individual antipsychotic drugs have been shown.

The biological mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of antipsychotic-induced VTE are still largely unknown.

Physicians should be aware of this potentially serious adverse drug reaction and consider discontinuing or switching the antipsychotic treatment in patients experiencing VTE.

The threshold for considering prophylactic antithrombotic treatment should be low when risk situations for VTE arise in users of antipsychotics.