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Brain & Nervous System Health Center

Stroke Health Center

Stroke Guide

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Stroke Health Center

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Medications

Your doctor will probably prescribe several medicines after you have had a stroke. Medicines to prevent blood clots are typically used, because blood clots can cause TIAs and strokes.

The types of medicines that prevent clotting are:

Recommended Related to Stroke

Stroke Prevention Lifestyle Tips

If you've had a stroke, preventing a second stroke is a top priority. "The risk of a stroke is tenfold higher in someone who has had a stroke in the past," says Larry B. Goldstein, MD, professor of medicine (neurology) and director of the Duke Stroke Center in Durham, N.C. Prevention of a second stroke starts by addressing conditions that caused the first stroke, such as atrial fibrillation (an abnormal heart rhythm that can cause blood to clot) or narrowing of a carotid artery in the neck. Treatment...

Read the Stroke Prevention Lifestyle Tips article > >

Antiplatelet medicines.
Anticoagulant medicines.

Cholesterol-lowering and blood-pressure-lowering medicines are also used to prevent TIAs and strokes.

Antiplatelet medicines

Antiplatelet medicines keep platelets in the blood from sticking together.

Aspirin (for example, Bayer) is most often used to prevent TIAs and strokes.
Aspirin combined with dipyridamole (Aggrenox) is a safe and effective alternative to aspirin.
Clopidogrel (Plavix) may be used for people who cannot take aspirin.

Anticoagulants

Anticoagulants prevent blood clots from forming and keep existing blood clots from getting bigger. If you have atrial fibrillation, you will probably take an anticoagulant such as warfarin (for example, Coumadin). For more information, see the topic Atrial Fibrillation.

Statins

Statins lower cholesterol and can greatly reduce the risk of stroke in people who have had a TIA. Statins even protect against stroke in people who do not have heart disease or high cholesterol.²

Blood pressure medicines

If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may want you to take medicines to lower it. Blood pressure medicines include:

Other medicines

Medicines used to treat depression and pain may also be prescribed after a stroke.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: January 07, 2011

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.