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Dipyridamole-Aspirin

Pronounced

"ASP-er-in w/dye-pie-RID-uh-mole"

Common brand names:

Aggrenox

Uses

This medication is used to reduce the risk of stroke in patients who have had "mini-strokes" (transient ischemic attacks) or a previous stroke due to a blood clot and are at high risk for another stroke. It contains two medications: a very low dose of aspirin (25 milligrams per tablet) and dipyridamole in a slow-release form.

Low-dose aspirin and dipyridamole are antiplatelet drugs that work to keep blood flowing to the brain by stopping platelets from clumping together. This helps prevent the platelets from forming blood clots, which can lodge in the brain and cause a certain type of stroke (ischemic stroke).

How to Use This Medication

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking this product and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually twice daily (morning and evening). Swallow the capsule whole. Do not crush or chew the capsules. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects.

Take this medication with a full glass of water (8 ounces or 240 milliliters) unless your doctor directs you otherwise.

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. If you have certain side effects (such as severe headache) when you first start taking this medication, your doctor may temporarily change your dose. Carefully follow your doctor's directions. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.

Do not try to replace this combination medication with aspirin and dipyridamole taken separately. You would not be able to get the right dose and slow-release dosage form, so the separate medications would not work as well as this combination medication. Consult your pharmacist for more information.