aspirin and dipyridamole

What is the most important information I should know about aspirin and dipyridamole?

What is aspirin and dipyridamole?

Aspirin and dipyridamole is a combination medicine used to reduce the risk of stroke in people who have had blood clots or a "mini-stroke" (also called a transient ischemic attack or TIA).

Aspirin and dipyridamole may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking aspirin and dipyridamole?

• asthma in combination with polyps in your nose; or
• if you have ever had an asthma attack or severe allergic reaction after taking aspirin or an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a stomach ulcer or bleeding;
• bleeding problems;
• heart problems;
• low blood pressure; or
• myasthenia gravis.

How should I take aspirin and dipyridamole?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You may take aspirin and dipyridamole with or without food.

If you need surgery or dental work, tell the surgeon or dentist ahead of time that you are using aspirin and dipyridamole. You may need to stop for a short time to prevent excessive bleeding.

If you need a stress test for your heart, tell your healthcare provider you are taking aspirin and dipyridamole. You may need to stop taking aspirin and dipyridamole 48 hours before your test.

Taking the combination of aspirin and dipyridamole (Aggrenox) is not equivalent to taking each of the medications separately. Take only the medication your doctor has prescribed.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Overdose symptoms may include warmth or tingly feeling, sweating, restlessness, dizziness, weakness, fast heartbeats, or ringing in your ears.

What should I avoid while taking aspirin and dipyridamole?

What are the possible side effects of aspirin and dipyridamole?

• new or worsening chest pain;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• hearing problems, ringing in your ears;
• liver problems --upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• signs of stomach bleeding --stomach pain, severe heartburn, bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds; or
• signs of bleeding in the brain --confusion, memory problems, severe headache, fainting.

Common side effects may include:

• headache;
• heartburn, upset stomach;
• nausea, stomach pain; or
• diarrhea.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect aspirin and dipyridamole?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• acetazolamide;
• methotrexate;
• probenecid;
• heart or blood pressure medication, including a diuretic or "water pill";
• medicine to treat Alzheimer's disease;
• medicines used to treat or prevent blood clots, such as anagrelide, heparin, or warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven);
• oral diabetes medicine;
• seizure medication; or
• an NSAID --aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect aspirin and dipyridamole, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about aspirin and dipyridamole.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 6.01. Revision date: 1/23/2020.