If you've been a victim of a stroke, you could be at greater risk of having the horrible experience happen to you again. But if your brain is already weakened from your first stroke, what could happen during the second? Doctors don't like to think about that, which is why they will use prescribe stroke medication to avoid such things. Stroke medication prevents strokes from occurring either by preventing platelets from forming or stopping blood clots in their tracks. This article will provide greater detail on more specific types of stroke medications fitting these categories.

Aspirin

Aspirin is a very commonly recommended stroke medication. While many might think this is odd considering how readily available aspirin is, if one thinks about how it reacts in the body, there should be no mystery as to why it is prescribed. Basically, aspirin inhibits the blood from sticking together through platelet formation. It also thins the blood, an additional benefit in preventing clots from forming. However, taking too much aspirin can cause harm to the body. This is why if a person is using this as a form of stroke medication, they must take the dosage that is recommended by their doctors.

Clopidogrel

Clopidogrel, (also known as Plavix), is a stroke medication that also prevents blood clots from forming. Yet, in the process it can produce some alarming side effects. Examples include bloody urine, stools and gums. Patients using Plavix as a stroke medication need to make sure that these symptoms are just side effects, and not something more serious.

Aggrenox

As a stroke medication, Aggreonox combines the power of aspirin with dipyridamole. The aspirin part of this combination helps to thin the blood while dipyridamole prevents the body from using too much adenosine. This is another chemical that binds the blood in such a way that clots can form. The downside to this stroke medication is the type of headaches a person gets. This is due to the blood vessels in the brain expanding.

Heparin

Heparin is a stroke medication that offers more powerful blood thinning properties than aspirin. However, unlike aspirin, it must be injected as it cannot be taken orally. Heparin is also given to prevent blood clots in the leg veins of stroke sufferers.

Ticlopidine

Ticlopidine prevents strokes from happening, usually by killing clots as they are forming. Unfortunately, this type of stroke medication can cause excessive bleeding in some patients which is why its use must be monitored. It also cannot be used with other stroke medications.

Thrombolytics

Thrombolytics stroke medication works differently than some of the above-mentioned stroke medications. Basically, with thrombolytics, the blood clot is broken up as soon as it forms. This is in contrast to other stroke medications, which try to prevent the blood clot from forming in the first place. Thrombolytic stroke medication tend to be used during a stroke attack, though there are times it can be given as a preventative measure, especially if a blood clot is suspected during a physical exam.