This medication is used to reduce the risk of stroke in patients who have had "mini-strokes" (transient ischemic attacks) or a previous stroke due to a blood clot and are at high risk for another stroke. It contains two medications, a very low dose of aspirin (25 milligrams per tablet) and dipyridamole in a slow-release form.

Low-dose aspirin and dipyridamole are anti-platelet drugs that work to keep blood flowing to the brain by stopping platelets from clumping together. This helps prevent the platelets from forming blood clots, which can lodge in the brain and cause a certain type of stroke (ischemic stroke).

Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually 1 capsule twice a day (morning and evening) or as directed by your doctor. Swallow the capsule whole. Do not crush or chew the capsule because this will destroy the slow release of the drug and may increase the risk of side effects. This medication can be taken with food if stomach upset occurs.

Take this medication with a full glass (8 ounces or 240 milliliters) of water unless your doctor directs you otherwise. Do not lie down for at least 30 minutes after taking this drug.

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.

This capsule is not interchangeable with doses of aspirin and dipyridamole given as separate tablets since the same strength and slow-release dosage form are not available as individual products. Consult your pharmacist for more information.

Nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, heartburn, headache, dizziness, or drowsiness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, contact your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these very unlikely but serious side effects occur: easy bleeding/bruising, black/bloody stools, ringing in the ears, fainting, hearing changes, mental/mood changes, persistent or severe stomach/abdominal pain, dark urine, change in the amount of urine, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, unusual weakness, yellowing eyes/skin.

Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: chest/jaw/left arm pain, confusion, severe headache, fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, slurred speech, vision changes, weakness on one side of the body.

An allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to dipyridamole; or to aspirin; or to other salicylates (e.g., choline salicylate); or to other pain relievers or fever reducers (e.g., NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen); or to tartrazine dye; or if you have any other allergies.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: severe kidney disease, aspirin-sensitive asthma (a history of worsening breathing with runny/stuffy nose after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs), severe liver disease, history of peptic ulcer disease.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: alcohol dependence, asthma, blood/bleeding disorders (e.g., anemia, vitamin K deficiency), low blood pressure (hypotension), heart problems (e.g., angina, heart failure, heart attack), kidney problems, liver problems, certain muscle problem (myasthenia gravis), growths in the nose (nasal polyps), ongoing runny nose (rhinitis), stroke or other bleeding in the brain.

This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages because they can increase this drug's side effects (e.g., bleeding, dizziness).

This medicine may cause stomach bleeding. Daily use of alcohol and tobacco, especially when combined with this medicine, may increase your risk for stomach bleeding. Limit alcohol and stop smoking. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.

The amount of aspirin in this medication may not be effective for the prevention of heart attack. If you require aspirin to prevent heart attack, consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

This drug contains aspirin. Children and teenagers should not take aspirin if they have viral illnesses such as chickenpox, influenza, or any undiagnosed illness without first consulting a doctor about Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious illness.

Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly since they may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug, including dizziness and bleeding.

This medication should be used only when clearly needed during the first 6 months of pregnancy. It is not recommended for use during the last 3 months of pregnancy due to the possibility of harm to an unborn baby and interference with normal labor/delivery. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

The aspirin and dipyridamole in this medication may pass into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

This drug should not be used with the following medication because very serious interactions may occur: mifepristone.

If you are currently using this medication listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting aspirin with dipyridamole.

Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medication you may use, especially: adenosine, ACE inhibitors (e.g., enalapril, lisinopril), angiotensin blockers (e.g., losartan), certain antidepressants that affect serotonin (e.g., amitriptyline, SSRIs such as paroxetine, trazodone), aspirin/NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen), beta blockers (e.g., atenolol, metoprolol), "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin, heparins, other anti-platelet drugs), cholinesterase inhibitors (e.g., edrophonium, physostigmine), corticosteroid (e.g., prednisone), diabetes medications (e.g., glipizide, glyburide), gout medications (e.g., probenecid, sulfinpyrazone), high blood pressure medicines (e.g., prazosin), live viral vaccine (e.g., nasal influenza, varicella), methotrexate, pemetrexed, phenytoin, valproic acid, "water pills"/diuretics (e.g., acetazolamide, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), ginkgo biloba.

Check the label on all your pain relievers/fever reducers because they may contain NSAIDs (e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen). Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.

This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (including certain urine sugar tests), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include: ringing in the ears, flushing, sweating, restlessness, weakness, dizziness, fast heartbeat.

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., bleeding times, blood counts, kidney and liver function tests) may be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Keep all medical and laboratory appointments.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Information last revised April 2009 Copyright(c) 2009 First DataBank, Inc.