Aspirin is in a group of drugs called salicylates (sa-LIS-il-ates). It works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain, fever, and inflammation.

Dipyridamole keeps platelets in your blood from sticking together to form clots.

The combination of aspirin and dipyridamole is used to reduce the risk of stroke in people who have had blood clots or a "mini-stroke” (also called a transient ischemic attack or TIA).

Aspirin and dipyridamole may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.

You may take aspirin and dipyridamole with or without food.

Do not crush, chew, break, or open an extended-release capsule. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking or opening the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

Taking the combination of aspirin and dipyridamole (Aggrenox) is not equivalent to taking each of the medications separately. Take only the medication your doctor has prescribed.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking aspirin. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Store aspirin and dipyridamole at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Before taking aspirin and dipyridamole, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• acetazolamide (Diamox);

• methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall);

• diabetes medications that you take by mouth;

• gout medications such as probencid (Benemid) or sulfinpyrazone (Anturane);

• an ACE inhibitor such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and others;

• Alzheimer medications such as donepezil (Aricept), galantamine (Reminyl), or rivastigmine (Exelon);

• a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol (Coreg), esmolol (Brevibloc), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), timolol (Blocadren), and others;

• a diuretic (water pill) such as amiloride (Midamor, Moduretic), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Hyzaar, Lopressor, Vasoretic, Zestoretic), spironolactone (Aldactazide, Aldactone), triamterene (Dyrenium, Maxzide, Dyazide), and others;

• seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); or

• aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), piroxicam (Feldene), and others.

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to take aspirin, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect aspirin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking aspirin. Alcohol may increase your risk of stomach bleeding.

Do not use any other over-the-counter pain medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Aspirin, salicylates, and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are contained in many medicines available over the counter. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of a certain type of drug. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen, magnesium and/or choline salicylate.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of an aspirin and dipyridamole overdose may include warmth or tingly feeling, sweating, restlessness, dizziness, weakness, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could cause harm to the unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Do not use any other over-the-counter pain medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Aspirin, salicylates, and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are contained in many medicines available over the counter. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of a certain type of drug. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen, magnesium and/or choline salicylate.

Aspirin should not be given to a child or teenager who has a fever, especially if the child also has flu symptoms or chicken pox. Aspirin can cause a serious and sometimes fatal condition called Reye’s syndrome in children.

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any symptoms of bleeding in your stomach or intestines. Symptoms include black, bloody, or tarry stools, and coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking aspirin and dipyridamole. Alcohol may increase your risk of stomach bleeding. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day, do not take aspirin and dipyridamole without your doctor’s advice.

Aspirin should not be given to a child or teenager who has a fever, especially if the child also has flu symptoms or chicken pox. Aspirin can cause a serious and sometimes fatal condition called Reye’s syndrome in children.

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to aspirin or dipyridamole (Persantine), or if you have:

• asthma;

• nasal polyps; or

• a history of allergy to an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Orudis, Indocin, Lodine, Voltaren, Toradol, Mobic, Relafen, Feldene, and others.

Before taking aspirin and dipyridamole, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding;

• a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia;

• heart disease, congestive heart failure, or recent heart attack;

• liver disease;

• kidney disease; or

• low blood pressure.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to take aspirin and dipyridamole, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not use aspirin and dipyridamole without your doctor’s consent if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication.

Aspirin and dipyridamole can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Your pharmacist has information about aspirin and dipyridamole written for health professionals that you may read.

Aspirin and dipyridamole is available with a prescription under the brand name Aggrenox. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Aggrenox 25 mg aspirin/200 mg dipyridamole–ivory and red capsule