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Expert: Eric Brandt - 1/26/2007


Question
I am a 66yo male ischemic stroke victim, which happened in Nov. 05. I have since been treated with Plavix once a day, and I have, on my own, also added aspirin, 325 mg once a day, which may be a bit risky.
 I have since been told by 2 other neurologists that they would have started me on Aggrenox instead of Plavix.  The best I can find out by internet research is that Plavix acts by coating platelets with a smooth surface so they won’t stick together, and the active ingredient in Aggrenox, ER-DP, acts as a vasodilator. Is there any information  or study addressing the theory that a combination of these would add symbiotically ?


Answer
Hi Frank,
Aggrenox contains dipyridamole and ASA. Dipyridamole's mechanism of action is much like that of Plavix in that they both affect adenosine mediated plaelet aggregation. It would not make sense to combine drugs with similar mechanisms of action.
Thank you for using Allexperts
Sincerely,
Eric Brandt, B.Sc. Pharm

Pharmacy

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Eric Brandt

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