Brand Name

Aggrenox {Boehringer Ingelheim}

Generic Name

aspirin and dipyridamole, pronounced AS pi rin and dye peer ID a mole

What is Aggrenox?

Aggrenox is a medication that contains both aspirin and dipyridamole, and is prescribed toreduce the risk of stroke. If you have had blood clots or a “mini-stroke” (also called a TIA ortransient ischemic attack), your doctor may have prescribed Aggrenox for you.

You may be prescribed Aggrenox for purposes not listed in this medication guide

Key Facts About Aggrenox

Aggrenox is a capsule which contains 25 mg of aspirin and 200 mg of dipyridamole. Aspirin isin a group of drugs called salicylates, and it helps to reduce substances in your body that maycause you fever, pain and inflammation. Dipyridamole helps to keep platelets in your blood fromsticking together to form clots.

Aggrenox can cause birth defects if it is taken during pregnancy. You should not take Aggrenoxif you are pregnant. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant during treatment withAggrenox and be sure to use an effective form of birth control while you are using thismedication. Aggrenox is in in FDA pregnancy category D. You should not breast-feed while takingAggrenox, as this medication does pass into breast milk.

You should not use any over-the-counter pain medication without talking to your doctor first.Aspirin, salicylates, and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are contained in manymedications that are available over the counter. If you take certain products together you mayaccidentally take too much of this type of medication. Be sure to read the label of all othermedications that you take to see if they contain aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen,magnesium or choline salicylate.

Aggrenox may cause serious intestinal or stomach bleeding or perforations (forming ofholes). These conditions are rare and more likely to happen to older adults, and they canoccur without warning and be fatal. You should contact your doctor immediately if you experiencesymptoms which may indicate intestinal bleeding, like tarry or bloody stools, or if you cough orvomit blood or a substance that looks like coffee grounds.

You should not drink alcohol while taking Aggrenox. You increase your risk of stomach bleedingif you drink alcohol while taking Aggrenox. Tell your doctor if you drink more than three (3)alcoholic drinks per day.

Do not give this medication to a child or teenager who has a fever alongside the flu orchickenpox. The aspirin in Aggrenox can cause a serious and potentially fatal condition calledReye’s syndrome in children and teenagers.

Before You Take Aggrenox

If you are allergic to aspirin or dipyridamole (Persantine) you should not take Aggrenox.

If you have an allergy or a history of allergic reactions to diclofenac (Cataflam) misoprostol(Cytotec), aspirin, sulfa drugs, or other NSAIDs you should not take Aggrenox.

Tell your doctor if you have a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clots, heart disease,congestive heart failure or low blood pressure.

Before starting treatment with Aggrenox tell your physician if you have a history of stomachulcers or bleeding, hemophilia, liver disease or kidney disease.

If you have polyps in your nose or asthma you should tell your doctor.

Inform your doctor if you drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day.

You should not take other NSAID’s (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like aspirin,ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen while you are taking Aggrenox.

Aggrenox Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• ACE inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil,
• Zestril), quinapril (Accupril), or ramipril (Altace)
• acetazolamide (Diamox)
• Alzheimer medications like donepezil (Aricept), galantamine (Reminyl) or rivastigmine(Exelon)
• aspirin
• beta-blockers like atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol (Coreg), esmolol (Brevibloc), metoprolol(Lopressor, Toprol), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace) and timolol(Blocadren)
• carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol)
• diclofenac ( Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze)
• diuretics (water pills) like amiloride (Midamor, Moduretic), furosemide (Lasix),hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Hyzaar, Lopressor, Vasoretic, Zestoretic), spironolactone(Aldactazide, Aldactone) and triamterene (Dyrenium, Maxzide, Dyazide)
• etodolac (Lodine)
• ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
• indomethacin (Indocin)
• meloxicam (Mobic)
• methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall)
• naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet)
• phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton)
• phenytoin (Dilantin)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Aggrenox. You should tell yourdoctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins,supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking anew medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Aggrenox

Aggrenox may be taken with or without food. If you are concerned that Aggrenox may upset yourstomach you may take it with food or milk to lessen any potential stomach upset.

You should take Aggrenox exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take Aggrenox in largeror smaller amounts, or for shorter or longer than recommended. Follow the directions on yourprescription label.

Swallow Aggrenox whole. Do not break, chew or crush this medication.

You should take Aggrenox with a full (8 oz.) glass of water.

Aggrenox needs to be stored at room temperature, and away from light, moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose of Aggrenox you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as youremember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose do not take the missed dosein addition to your regular dose.

Aggrenox Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Aggrenox andseek emergency medical help immediately:

• allergic reaction such as breathing difficulties, hives, swelling of your face., throat ortongue
• bloody, black or tarry stools
• coughing up blood, or vomit, that looks like coffee grounds
• fever which lasts 3 days or longer
• hearing problems and ear ringing
• swelling or pain lasting longer than 10 days
• upper stomach pain and severe nausea and vomiting
• weakness or fainting

Less serious side effects of Aggrenox may include:

• diarrhea
• drowsiness
• headache
• heartburn
• joint pain
• nausea
• upset stomach
• vomiting

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Aggrenox. Youshould contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Aggrenox Description and Dosing

Aggrenox capsules are hard gelatin capsules, with a red cap and an ivory-colored body. Thecapsules contain yellow extended-release pellets incorporating dipyridamole and a round whitetablet incorporating immediate-release aspirin. The capsule body is imprinted in red with theBoehringer Ingelheim logo and with “01A”.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Aggrenox you should seek emergency helpimmediately.

Ingredients in Aggrenox

The primary active ingredients in Aggrenox are aspirin and dipyridamole. Other inactiveingredietns include acacia, aluminum stearate, colloidal silicon dioxide, corn starch,dimethicone, hypromellose, hypromellose phthalate, lactose monohydrate, methacrylic acidcopolymer, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, stearic acid, sucrose, talc, tartaric acid,titanium dioxide and triacetin. Each capsule shell also contains gelatin,red iron oxide and yellow iron oxide, titanium dioxide and water.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

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