Aggrenox
Company: Boehringer Ingelheim
Approval Status: Approved November 1999
Treatment for: Indicated for the prevention of stroke in patients who have experienced a previous stroke or a TIA (mini-stroke)
Areas: Endocrinology; Hematology; Neurology
| General Information | Clinical Results | Side Effects | Mechanism of Action | Literature References | Additional Information |
General Information
Stroke occurs when blood clots block blood flow to the brain. Aggrenox acts as an antiplatelet, preventing blood platelets from aggregating to form the dangerous clots.
Platelet aggregation is actually a natural process which allows platelet cells to stick together and adhere to the blood vessel wall to prevent excessive blood loss when a blood vessel is damaged. However, for patients who have high-risk of blood clotting, this mechanism can be dangerous. Aggrenox works to prevent the clotting in patients, such as stroke victims, who fall into this high-risk category.
Stroke, the third leading cause of death in the United States, afflicts 730,000 Americans in all and kills approximately 160,000 of those victims each year. Recurrance rate over five years ranges from 30% to nearly 50%, so a drug like Aggrenox which lowers the risk for recurrance is essential.
Clinical Results
Results of the European Stroke Prevention Study 2 (ESPS2), which
involved over 6,600 patients, indicated that Aggrenox reduces the
risk of recurrent stroke by 37% compared to placebo. Aspirin-only
regimens reduced the risk by only 18% as compared to the
placebo.
In addition, the results of the study indicated that Aggrenox may
reduce risk for secondary stroke more effectively than Clopidogrel,
another antiplatelet, although direct- comparison studies between
the two drugs have not yet been done.
Side Effects
Although Aggrenox generally well-tolerated, it was shown to induce headache, bleeding, and gastrointestinal events in some patients undergoing the treatment.
Mechanism of Action
Aggrenox is an aspirin/extended-release dipyridamole combination that acts on multiple mechanisms of the platelet-aggregation process to prevent clumping and clotting.
Literature References
Gregory W. Albers, Robert G. Hart, Helmi L. Lutsep, David W. Newell, and Ralph L. Sacco. "Supplement to the Guidelines for the Management of Transient Ischemic Attacks," Stroke, November 1999, Vol 30:2502-2511.
Visit the following online sites for more information about Aggrenox, strokes, and stroke-related issues:
- The National Stroke Association. www.stroke.org or call 1-800-STROKES
- Stroke; the Journal of the American Heart Association. stroke.ahajournals.org
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. www.boehringer-ingelheim.com
Additional Information
- Sudden numbness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion; trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
If you experience any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately! Stroke is very serious and can "cascade" rapidly, but treatment can be more effective if given quickly.
The FDA drug information shown here is licensed from Thomson CenterWatch. The information provided here is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or pharmaceutical advice which should be sought from qualified medical and pharmaceutical advisers.
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