Aggrenox is the trade name for the combination of aspirin and extended-release dipyridamole. Aspirin is an anti-inflammatory medication that physicians also prescribe to help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in high-risk patients. Aspirin interferes with the blood's ability to clot, preventing potential blood clots that can cause heart attack or stroke, notes MayoClinic.com. Dipyridamole is used to lessen the chance of stroke or other serious medical problems that may occur when blood vessels become blocked.
Function
Aggrenox belongs to a class of medications known as antiplatelet drugs. Aggrenox works by preventing excessive blood clotting. Physicians commonly use the drug to reduce the risk of stroke or to treat patients who have already suffered a stroke, says the PubMed health from the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Usage
Aggrenox comes as a capsule or extended-release capsule. Physicians commonly prescribe the medication twice a day; once in the morning and once in the evening. Patients who miss a dose should attempt to take the dose as soon as they remember. However, if it is close to the time of the next dose, the patient should skip the missed dose and take the next dosage on time. Patients should never take two doses of the medication as this could cause potentially life-threatening complications.
Precautions
Before using Aggrenox, patients should alert physicians to any drug allergy, especially aspirin and celecoxib, diclofenac and dipyridamole. Patients should also alert physicians to any over-the-counter medications, vitamins and supplements they are currently taking as there is a potential for interaction. There is a possibility of serious complications in patients who have liver, kidney or heart problems or who have had a recent heart attack, bleeding disorder, low blood pressure or vitamin K deficiency.
Side Effects
Side effects of Aggrenox commonly include abdominal pain and vomiting. Other potential side effects include rectal bleeding, black or bloody stools, confusion, convulsions, bloody mucous, nosebleeds, double vision, breathing difficulties, speech problems, memory loss, pale skin, bruising, bleeding, wheezing, bloody or coffee ground vomit, purple or red spots, inability to move limbs and facial muscles, and slow speech. MayoClinic.com warns that in rare instances, Aggrenox can cause bloody urine, chills, cough, loss of appetite, nausea and recurrent fevers. Patients should alert their physician to any side effect as it could indicate a more serious problem.
Considerations
PubMed Health warns that patients should not attempt to take aspirin and dipyridamole separately to substitute the combination medication of Aggrenox. Physicians often require patients to get periodic labs to determine the effectiveness of the Aggrenox treatments and to determine whether dosages need adjustment.
