Aggrenox

Special warnings about Aggrenox

The aspirin in Aggrenox can cause stomach bleeding. You should avoid this drug if you have a stomach ulcer, and should use it with care if you have liver disease or any kind of bleeding disorder. (Regular heavy drinking increases the danger of bleeding problems.) Also, be sure to tell the doctor that you are taking Aggrenox if you have a medical emergency or plan to have surgery or dental work.

The dipyridamole in Aggrenox causes blood vessels to expand and should be used cautiously by people with heart disease, especially those with chest pain (unstable angina) or a recent heart attack. It can make chest pain worse and trigger episodes of very low blood pressure.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Aggrenox

If Aggrenox is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Aggrenox with the following:

ACE inhibitors (heart and blood pressure medications such as Capoten and Vasotec)
Acetazolamide (Diamox)
Blood pressure medications classified as beta-blockers, including Inderal, Sectral, and Tenormin
Blood-thinning drugs such as Coumadin
Gout medications such as Benemid and Anturane
Methotrexate (Rheumatrex)
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil, Motrin, and Indocin
Oral diabetes drugs such as Diabinese and Micronase
Seizure medications such as Depakene and Dilantin
Water pills (diuretics) such as Lasix and HydroDiuril

If you suffer from the muscle disease myasthenia gravis, treatment with Aggrenox may interfere with your drug therapy.

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Aggrenox can seriously harm a developing baby, leading to low birth weight, bleeding in the brain, birth defects, and even death. Aggrenox should not be used during the final 3 months of pregnancy, and should be taken during the first 6 months only if its benefits outweigh the possibility of harm to the developing baby. Notify your doctor immediately if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Use Aggrenox with caution if you are breastfeeding a baby, since this drug appears in breast milk.

Recommended dosage

ADULTS

The recommended dosage of Aggrenox is one capsule twice a day, in the morning and evening.

Overdosage

Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately.

• Symptoms of Aggrenox overdose may include:
  Dizziness, flushes, irregular heartbeat, restlessness, ringing in the ears, sweating, warm feeling, weakness