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US Brand Names

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Description

Dipyridamole and aspirin is used to lessen the chance of stroke that may occur when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked by blood clots. It is given only when there is a larger-than-usual chance that these problems may occur. For example, it is given to people who have had a stroke, because dangerous blood clots are especially likely to occur in these patients. Dipyridamole and aspirin work by helping to prevent dangerous blood clots from forming.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

• Capsule, Extended Release
• Capsule

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Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

• Dipyridamole—There is no specific information comparing use of dipyridamole in children with use in other age groups.
• Aspirin—Do not give aspirin to a child or a teenager with a fever or other symptoms of a virus infection, especially flu or chickenpox, without first discussing its use with your child's doctor. This is very important because salicylates may cause a serious illness called Reye's syndrome in children and teenagers caused by a virus infection, especially flu or chickenpox.

Geriatric

• Dipyridamole—Dipyridamole has not been studied specifically in older people taking the medicine regularly to prevent blood clots from forming. Although there is no specific information comparing this use of dipyridamole in the elderly with use in other age groups, it is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
• Aspirin—Elderly people are especially sensitive to the effects of aspirin. However, this is not expected to limit the usefulness of this drug.

Pregnancy

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Ketorolac

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Alcohol use, chronic or
• Vitamin K deficiency or other bleeding problems—The chance of bleeding may be increased

• Asthma, allergies, and nasal polyps (history of) or
• Heart disease or
• Liver disease or
• Low blood pressure—The side effects may be increased

• Glucose–6–phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme deficiency—This condition may worsen, increasing risk of anemia

• Gout—The medicine used to treat this condition may not work properly

• Kidney disease—This condition may be made worse

• Stomach inflammation or ulcer—These conditions may worsen, increasing the risk of bleeding

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Proper Use

The capsules must be swallowed whole. Do not chew them, crush them or break them up before taking.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For preventing stroke:
  • For oral dosage form (capsules):
    • Adults—The usual dose is one capsule twice a day, one in the morning and one in the evening.
    • Children—Use is not recommended.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

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Precautions

Dipyridamole and aspirin combination provide better protection against the formation of blood clots than either of the medicines used alone. However, the risk of bleeding may also be increased. To reduce the risk of bleeding:

• Do not take aspirin, or any combination medicine containing aspirin in addition to this medicine unless the same doctor who directed you to take dipyridamole and aspirin also directs you to take aspirin .
• If you need a medicine to relieve pain or a fever, your doctor may not want you to take extra aspirin. It is a good idea to discuss this with your doctor, so that you will know ahead of time what medicine to take.
• Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits.

Tell all medical doctors and dentists you go to that you are taking dipyridamole and aspirin.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help. If this problem continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

Do not stop taking this medicine for any reason without first checking with the doctor who directed you to take it.

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Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Confusion, difficulty in speaking, slow speech, inability to speak, inability to move arms, legs, or facial muscles, or double vision
• Difficulty breathing, tightness in chest, or wheezing

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

• Blurred vision
• Continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in ears, or hearing loss
• Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position sudden, sweating, or unusual tiredness or weakness
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Restlessness
• Warm feeling, flushes

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Stomach or abdomen pain
• Vomiting

• Bloody or black, tarry stools, blood or coffee ground materials in the vomit, or bleeding from the rectum
• Convulsions (seizures)
• Memory loss
• Pale skin, troubled breathing, exertional, unusual bleeding or bruising
• Purple or red spots on skin

• Abdominal fullness, gaseous abdominal pain, recurrent fever, chills, clay-colored stools, loss of appetite, nausea, yellow eyes or skin
• Blood in the urine
• Collection of blood under skin, deep, dark purple bruise
• Cough
• Noisy breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Itching, pain, redness, or swelling of eye or eyelid watering of eyes, or severe skin rash or hives

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Pain, swelling, or redness in joints, muscle pain or stiffness, or difficulty in moving
• Stomach discomfort upset or pain, heartburn, belching, acid or sour stomach, or indigestion

• Back pain
• Bloody mucous , or unexplained nosebleeds
• Burning feeling in chest or stomach tenderness in stomach area stomach upset indigestion
• Loss of strength or energy
• Rectal pain or swelling
• Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• Taste loss

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

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