Aggrenox 200mg/25mg Capsule

Aggrenox 200mg/25mg Capsule belongs to the class of ‘anticoagulants’ used to prevent stroke who have had blood clots or had a mini-stroke. Stroke, also called cerebrovascular (CV) or brain stroke, occurs due to insufficient blood supply to the brain. It causes a decrease in oxygen and nutrient supply to the brain, impairing the function of the brain. This condition requires immediate medical attention to prevent permanent brain damage.

Aggrenox 200mg/25mg Capsule contains Aspirin and Dipyridamole. Aspirin is a blood thinner. It has antithrombotic action that interferes with platelet functioning and does not let them stick together. Dipyridamole is an anticoagulant agent. It prevents the platelets from sticking together, thereby preventing the formation of blood clots. Together, Aggrenox 200mg/25mg Capsule can effectively reduce the risk of stroke. 

You should take this medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor. The common side-effects of Aggrenox 200mg/25mg Capsule are headache, dizziness, heartburn, nausea, indigestion, diarrhea, and stomach pain. These side-effects usually don’t require medical attention. However, if any of these side-effects persist or get worse, inform your doctor immediately.

It is not recommended to take Aggrenox 200mg/25mg Capsule if you are allergic to aspirin, dipyridamole, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It should not be used in patients with asthma, rhinitis (stuffy nose), and nasal polyps (painless, benign growths on the nose's linings). It is also not recommended for children younger than 16 years of age with a fever, flu, or viral infections. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Aggrenox 200mg/25mg Capsule may require dose adjustments when used in elderly people. Do not consume alcohol as it increases the risk of side-effects. Aggrenox 200mg/25mg Capsule may cause dizziness, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you are not fully alert.

Aggrenox 200mg/25mg Capsule is used to reduce stroke risk in patients who had a history of blood clots or a mini-stroke (also called transient ischemic attack). Aggrenox 200mg/25mg Capsule is a combination of two medicines: Aspirin and Dipyridamole. This medicine helps to maintain normal blood flow to the brain. It can prevent the formation of clots, thereby reducing the risk of stroke. 

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Indigestion
• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain
• Fatigue 
• Joint pains

Before taking Aggrenox 200mg/25mg Capsule, inform your doctor if you have stomach ulcers, bleeding problems, heart problems, hypotension (low blood pressure), and myasthenia gravis (a muscle disorder). The use of Aggrenox 200mg/25mg Capsule in children below 16 years with viral infections may lead to Reye’s syndrome (a life-threatening condition that causes liver and brain damage). Aggrenox 200mg/25mg Capsule may cause headaches during the initial days of therapy. Let your doctor know if the headache is severe. Aggrenox 200mg/25mg Capsule can increase the bleeding risk even due to a minor injury, so seek medical attention if you suffer any injury and have uncontrolled bleeding. Inform your doctor if you experience blood in your sputum or vomit, blood in urine, or dark-colored stools, as it can be a sign of stomach bleeding.

Drug-Drug Interactions: Aggrenox 200mg/25mg Capsule may interact with other medicines used to prevent blood clots (heparin and warfarin), a medicine used to treat fits, increased pressure in the eye, or altitude sickness (acetazolamide), anticancer agent (methotrexate), a medicine used to treat gout (probenecid), blood pressure-lowering medications including water pills, medicines used to treat Alzheimer’s disease, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac, etc.), oral diabetes medicines, and medicines used to treat fits (phenytoin and valproic acid).

Drug-Food Interactions: Do not consume alcohol as it can increase the risk of bleeding.

Drug-Disease Interactions: Aggrenox 200mg/25mg Capsule should not be used in patients with asthma, rhinitis (stuffy nose), and nasal polyps (painless, benign growths on the linings of the nose). It should be used with caution in patients with stomach ulcers, bleeding problems, heart problems, hypotension (low blood pressure), and myasthenia gravis (a muscle disorder).

• HEPARIN
• WARFARIN
• ACETAZOLAMIDE
• METHOTREXATE
• PROBENECID
• IBUPROFEN
• DICLOFENAC
• NAPROXEN
• PHENYTOIN
• VALPROIC ACID

• Include more green, leafy vegetables and other non-starchy vegetables (tomatoes, broccoli, and cauliflower, etc.) in your diet.
• Eat strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and nuts as they reduce inflammation in the brain.
• Use olive oil for cooking purposes. It contains healthy fats that promote brain health. 
• Eat whole grains such as oats, quinoa, and brown rice that are rich in nutrients.
• Opt for fish oil or eat fish (preferably fatty fish like salmon, sardines, trout, and tuna) at least once a week. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that are essential for the normal functioning of the brain.
• Avoid fried, processed, and packed foods.
• Exercise regularly. It helps to maintain a normal weight and reduce cholesterol levels.
• Quit alcohol intake and smoking.

• Before undergoing surgery or dental procedure, inform your doctor that you are taking Aggrenox 200mg/25mg Capsule. This medicine increases the risk of bleeding and needs to be stopped before surgeries.
• Aggrenox 200mg/25mg Capsule should be stopped at least 48 hours before undergoing a stress test for the heart.
• Use reliable and effective contraception to prevent pregnancy while using Aggrenox 200mg/25mg Capsule.
• Do not take any other medicines for pain, fever, or any other conditions without discussing with your doctor, as some over-the-counter medicines contain aspirin.

Stroke: It occurs when there is a decrease in blood supply to the brain due to blood clots or blood vessel's leakage. The decrease in blood supply leads to a decrease in oxygen and nutrients, resulting in brain cell's death. This condition leads to symptoms such as paralysis of the face, arm, or leg, slurred speech, headache, and difficulty in walking. Stroke requires immediate medical attention to prevent brain damage and long-term disability.