How Does Aggrenox Work?

Aggrenox

Aggrenox is a form of medication called antiplatelets that is designed to lower your risk of suffering from a stroke, if you have had transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). A transient ischemic attack is a stroke that is caused by thrombosis. Thrombosis occurs when you suffer from a blocked blood vessel in your brain. Aggrenox is a combination of two different medications, an extended release of 200 mg of dipyridamole and a low dose of 25 mg of aspirin.

Function

Dipyridamole is an antiplatelet medication that prevents strokes and transient ischemic attacks from reoccurring. The aspirin in Aggrenox works to fight off the reoccurrence of a stroke because it reduces the production of prostaglandis. Prostaglandis is a naturally occurring compound in your body that regulates inflammation, blood pressure, pain sensitivity, the formation of blood clots and other bodily functions.

Causes

Strokes are caused because your brain is not getting the amount of oxygen it needs from the blood to function. When not enough blood is reaching the brain, it causes your blood vessel to become blocked by a blood clot, and this is called an ischemic stroke. That blood clot can come from any part of your body. Platelets in your body are components in the blood that clump together and help start the process of clotting your blood. Aggrenox causes your platelets to become less sticky, preventing blood clots from clumping together and reducing your risk of another stroke.

Resources

• Aggrenox Website
• National Stroke Association: Aggrenox benefits