Prolactin as a factor for increased platelet aggregation

Abstract

Administration of antipsychotics appears to be related to an increased risk of venous thromboembolism and cerebrovascular side effects. The biological mechanism responsible for this possible adverse drug reaction is unknown, but there is a growing number of elucidating hypoteses.

Treatment with antipsychotic is associated with elevation of prolactin level.Prolactin has recently been recognized as potent platelet aggregation co-activator, and have therefore been postulated as an additional risk factor for both arterial and venous thrombosis. We briefly review the arguments for the role of hyperprolactinemia in pathogenesis of platelet aggregation.

Keywords

• prolactin
• hyperprolactinemia
• platelet activation
• platelet aggregation
• antipsychotics
• venous thrombosis
• cerebrovascular complications