Aspirin and Extended-Release Dipyridamole

Pronunciation

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to decrease the risk of stroke in patients who are high risk. Patients who may be helped might be those who have had small, mini-strokes or those who have had a full stroke.

How does it work?

• Aggrenox™ prevents platelets (part of your blood) from sticking together and forming blood clots that could occur in the brain and cause a stroke.

How is it best taken?

• Swallow capsule whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Limit alcohol intake (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Alcohol intake (> 3 drinks per day) can increase the risk of bleeding.
• If you had a stomach ulcer or bleeding tell healthcare provider.
• Use caution in severe liver disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Avoid aspirin, aspirin-containing products, ibuprofen, or like products, other blood thinners (warfarin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, vitamin E. These could make you bleed more easily. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers about this medicine. They may want you to stop it before any elective surgery.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Do not use in pregnancy especially the last trimester.
• Do not use if breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Headaches. Mild pain medicine may help. Avoid extra aspirin.
• Belly pain and heartburn.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
• Diarrhea.

What should I monitor?

• Signs and symptoms of a stroke.
• Signs and symptoms of bleeding.
• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing, tightness in the chest, fever, itching, bad cough, blue skin color, fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat.
• Changes in strength on one side greater then the other, difficulty speaking or thinking, change in balance or a change in vision.
• Blood in the stool and toilet bowl or vomiting blood. Any serious signs of bleeding.
• Any rash.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store in tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine.

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