Type of medicine: platelet aggregation inhibitor (medicine that reduces the chance of blood clots forming)
Generic and brand names: dipyridamole and aspirin, oral; Aggrenox
This medicine is taken by mouth to reduce the risk of future strokes in people who have had a stroke due to blood clots. It contains 2 medicines to help prevent blood clots.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Tell your healthcare provider if you drink alcohol.
Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. This medicine may cause harm to an unborn baby and should not be taken during the 4th through 9th months of pregnancy. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. Usually, you will take it twice a day, morning and evening.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Taking it with meals may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach. Swallow the capsules whole. Do not break, crush, or chew them.
You will need to take this medicine regularly every day to reduce the risk of future strokes. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: flushing; sweating; seizures; dizziness; weakness; restlessness; fast heartbeat; lightheadedness; fainting; vomiting up blood, headache; ringing in the ears.
This medicine contains aspirin. Do not give this medicine to children or teenagers who have a viral infection with or without a fever. There is a risk of a reaction called Reye's syndrome.
You may get a headache when you first start taking this medicine. This is a sign that the medicine is starting to work. Headaches should go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Ask your healthcare provider if you should take acetaminophen (Tylenol) to relieve these headaches. Do not take additional aspirin or products containing aspirin unless directed to do so by your healthcare provider. If you are not sure about which products contain aspirin, ask your pharmacist.
Do not drink alcohol without your provider’s approval. People who have 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day when taking this medicine have a higher risk of bleeding.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
If you have a bleeding disorder, liver disease, or a vitamin K deficiency, the aspirin in this medicine may cause you to bleed more. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Bloody or black tarry stools, vomiting material that looks like coffee grounds, unusual bruising or bleeding, chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular or slow heartbeat, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, flushing of the face, stomach cramps, rash, weakness, dizziness.
Other: Headache, ringing in your ears, stomach pain, heartburn, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, back pain, muscle or joint pain.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
