When the blood supply to the brain is disrupted, the tissues and cells are starved for oxygen and quickly die. There are two types of stroke: hemorrhagic, which is caused by a broken blood vessel, and ischemic, which is the result of a blood clot blocking the blood flow. Signs of a stroke include slurred speech, loss of coordination, headache, paralysis and difficulty with memory. It is critical to receive immediate medical attention if you experience signs of a stroke as treatment is usually only effective if delivered quickly. There are few medications that are effective in treating acute stroke, but several that help reduce the risk of further stroke.
Thrombolytics
Clot-busting thrombolytic medications are administered intravenously to help dissolve an existing clot. The primary medication used, tissue plasminogen activator, or TPA, has previously been used to dissolve clots in heart attack patients. Prior to receiving TPA treatment, a patient demonstrating symptoms will be given a CT scan to determine if the stroke is actually caused by a clot. If thrombolytics are given in the case of a hemorrhagic stroke, they will increase bleeding in the brain and worsen the condition. According to StrokeCenter.org, TPA must be administered within three hours of the onset of an ischemic stroke to be effective.
Anti-clotting Medication
Once an ischemic stroke has occurred, anti-clotting medication may be administered to lessen the chance of further strokes. Anti-coagulants or anti-platelet medications, such as aspirin, are generally initiated soon after the stroke and then continued in lower doses to help prevent further problems. According to health-cares.net, studies have shown anti-platelet medication to reduce the risk of a second stroke by 25 percent, but they warned that its patients should not take aspirin until their particular type of stroke has been diagnosed, as it can prevent the use of appropriate medications or worsen the condition. Thienopyridines are a class of anti-platelet drugs that have been shown to be effective in preventing stroke when taken with aspirin. Warfarin is a potent anticoagulant, but according to healthcares.org, studies are mixed on its value in protecting against future stroke.
Hemorrhagic Stroke Medication
There are few options when trying to treat a hemorrhagic stroke with medicine, but calcium channel blockers can be of some use, according to healthcentral.com. One of the concerns of hemorrhagic stroke is a spasm of smooth muscle in the blood vessels at the site of the stroke and calcium modulates the spasm, and by blocking the calcium channels, spasm is less likely. Anti-fibrinolytic drugs can help stop bleeding in some cases, but their effectiveness has not been clearly shown in the case of stroke.
Nerve Protecting Agents
Some research has been conducted on drugs that may help preserve nerve function and stop the downward spiral of nerve destruction that occurs after a stroke. Naturally occurring amino acids such as glycine and glutamate are known to destroy nerve cells, and some drugs are being developed to counteract their effect.
