Aggrenox

Aggrenox

     * Generic Name: aspirin, extended-release dipyridamole capsules
     * Brand Name: Aggrenox


     * What is aspirin and dipyridamole (Aggrenox)?
     * What are the possible side effects of aspirin and dipyridamole
       (Aggrenox)?
     * What is the most important information I should know about
       aspirin and dipyridamole (Aggrenox)?
     * What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
       aspirin and dipyridamole (Aggrenox)?
     * How should I take aspirin and dipyridamole (Aggrenox)?
     * What happens if I miss a dose (Aggrenox)?
     * What happens if I overdose (Aggrenox)?
     * What should I avoid while taking aspirin and dipyridamole
       (Aggrenox)?
     * What other drugs will affect aspirin and dipyridamole
       (Aggrenox)?
     * Where can I get more information (Aggrenox)?

What is aspirin and dipyridamole (Aggrenox)?

   Aspirin is in a group of drugs called salicylates (sa-LIS-il-ates). It
   works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain, fever, and
   inflammation.

   Dipyridamole keeps platelets in your blood from sticking together to
   form clots.

   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 are the possible side effects of aspirin and dipyridamole (Aggrenox)?

   Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
   hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or
   throat.

   Call your doctor at once if you have:
     * new or worsening chest pain;
     * a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
     * hearing problems, ringing in your ears;
     * liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tiredness,
       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. Tell
   your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report
   side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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

   You should not use this medicine if you have asthma or polyps in
   your nose, or if you are allergic to aspirin or an NSAID
   (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug).

   This medicine can increase your risk of bleeding, which can be severe
   or life-threatening. Call your doctor or seek emergency medical
   attention if you have bleeding that will not stop, if you have black or
   bloody stools, or if you cough up blood or vomit that looks like coffee
   grounds.

   Aggrenox Patient Information including How Should I Take
   Stroke: Causes, Symptoms, and Recovery

   Understanding Stroke Slideshow Pictures
 

   Take the Stroke Quiz
   Atrial Fibrillation:Visual Guidelines to Causes, Tests and
   Treatment

   Atrial Fibrillation Slideshow: Causes, Tests and Treatment

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

   You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to aspirin or
   dipyridamole, or if you have:
     * asthma;
     * polyps in your nose; or
     * a history of asthma attack or severe allergic reaction after taking
       aspirin or an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as
       Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Orudis, Indocin, Lodine,
       Voltaren, Toradol, Mobic, Relafen, Feldene, and
       others.

   Do not give this medicine to a child or teenager with a fever, flu
   symptoms, or chicken pox. Aspirin can cause Reye's syndrome, a
   serious and sometimes fatal condition in children.

   To make sure aspirin and dipyridamole is safe for you, tell your doctor
   if you have:
     * a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding;
     * a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia;
     * heart disease, congestive heart failure;
     * coronary artery disease (hardened arteries);
     * liver disease;
     * kidney disease;
     * low blood pressure; or
     * myasthenia gravis.

   Taking aspirin during late pregnancy may cause bleeding in the mother
   or the baby during delivery. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or
   plan to become pregnant while taking aspirin and dipyridamole.

   Aspirin and dipyridamole can pass into breast milk and may harm a
   nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take aspirin and dipyridamole (Aggrenox)?

   Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may
   occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do
   not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than
   recommended.

   You may take aspirin and dipyridamole with or without food.

   Do not chew, break, or open an extended-release capsule. Swallow it
   whole.

   Aspirin and dipyridamole may cause headaches when you first start
   taking it. Call your doctor at if these headaches are severe.

   This medicine can make it easier for you to bleed, even from a minor
   injury such as a fall or a bump on the head. Contact your doctor or
   seek emergency medical attention if you fall or hit your head, or have
   any bleeding that will not stop.

   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 using the medicine for a short time before surgery to prevent
   excessive bleeding.

   Do not stop taking aspirin and dipyridamole unless your doctor tells
   you to.

   Store this medicine in its original container at room temperature, away
   from moisture and heat.

   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.

   Aggrenox Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
   Stroke: Causes, Symptoms, and Recovery

   Understanding Stroke Slideshow Pictures
 

   Take the Stroke Quiz
   Atrial Fibrillation:Visual Guidelines to Causes, Tests and
   Treatment

   Atrial Fibrillation Slideshow: Causes, Tests and Treatment

What happens if I miss a dose (Aggrenox)?

   Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
   it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
   medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (Aggrenox)?

   Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
   1-800-222-1222.

   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 (Aggrenox)?

   Drinking alcohol while taking this medicine can increase your risk of
   bleeding.

   Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any cold, allergy, or pain
   medication. Many medicines available over the counter contain aspirin,
   salicylates, or NSAIDs. Taking certain products together can cause
   you to get too much of this type of medication. Check the label to see
   if a medicine contains aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen,
   naproxen, magnesium and/or choline salicylate.

What other drugs will affect aspirin and dipyridamole (Aggrenox)?

   Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or
   stop using, especially:
     * acetazolamide;
     * methotrexate;
     * probenecid;
     * heart or blood pressure medication, including a diuretic or
       "water pill";
     * medicine to treat Alzheimer's disease;
     * oral diabetes medicine;
     * a blood thinner--warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven);
     * seizure medicine--phenytoin, valproic acid;
     * an NSAID--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve),
       celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and
       others; or
     * other medicines used to treat or prevent blood clots--anagrelide,
       alteplase, cilostazol, clopidogrel, eltrombopag,
       prasugrel, heparin, ticagrelor, ticlopidine, urokinase,
       and others.

   This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with aspirin and
   dipyridamole, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines,
   vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed
   in this medication guide.

Where can I get more information (Aggrenox)?

   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.