Medicines After Stroke

Medicines After Stroke


There are many medicines to treat stroke and conditions that may increase your risk for stroke. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you have questions about your medicines.

  • Take your medicines as directed. 
  • Do NOT stop taking your medicines because you feel better or because you have no more refills on the prescription. Check with your doctor before you stop taking any medicine. Many medicines will need to be taken long term. 
  • Tell your doctor or nurse if you are taking any over the counter medicines or herbal supplements. They may interact with medicines.
  • Talk with your doctor or nurse if you have side effects from your medicines. Side effects are an unwanted effect of a drug.

Anti-platelets

These medicines prevent platelets in the blood from clumping or clotting. They are often used after a heart attack or stroke, or after stent procedures to prevent platelets from blocking the stent.

Do not stop taking this medicine without talking to the doctor who ordered it. Stopping your anti-platelet medicine puts you at risk for forming clots or for the stent to get blocked.

Medicine side effects may include: allergic reaction, black, bloody or tarry stools, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, skin bruising, dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, loss of hearing, or ringing in the ears.

Anti-platelet medicine names include:

  • aspirin (Bayer, Bufferin, Ecotrin, St. Joseph’s or other generic brands)
  • clopidogrel (Plavix)
  • ticagrelor (Brilinta)
  • other ___________________________________

Statins (HMG-CoA Reductase inhibitors)

Statins block the production of cholesterol in the liver. This lowers total cholesterol and bad LDL cholesterol levels, but raises good HDL cholesterol levels. High levels of bad cholesterol in the body increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Your cholesterol levels should be checked with blood tests 1 to 2 times each year.

Medicine side effects may include: muscle weakness or pain, elevated liver enzymes, and upset stomach.

Your doctor will check your liver function with a blood test before starting a statin. You should also have liver function testing done if you have signs of liver problems while taking a statin, such as feeling very weak or tired, loss of appetite, upper belly pain, dark urine, yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

Statin medicine names include:

  • atorvastatin (Lipitor)
  • lovastatin (Mevacor)
  • pravastatin (Pravachol)
  • rosuvastatin (Crestor)
  • simvastatin (Zocor)
  • other _____________________________________

Blood pressure medicines

Beta blockers

Beta blockers improve the heart’s ability to relax and block the effect of other hormones in the body (adrenaline/norepinephrine). They slow the heart rate and help control blood pressure. These medicines are used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, angina (chest pain), and may be used after heart attack or stroke.

Side effects may include: dizziness, slow heart rate, fatigue, shortness of breath when first starting medicine, and sexual dysfunction.

Beta blocker medicine names include:

  • metoprolol (Toprol-XL, Lopressor)
  • carvedilol (Coreg)
  • atenolol (Tenormin)
  • propanolol (Inderal)
  • bisoprolol (Zebeta)
  • other _____________________________________

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

ACE inhibitors widen the blood vessels and help increase blood flow by blocking the production of a hormone in your body that tightens blood vessels. They help lower blood pressure, lessen the amount of work the heart needs to do, and protect the kidneys. These medicines are used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure and may be used after heart attack or stroke.

Medicine side effects may include: dizziness, weakness, cough and decreased ability to taste. If you have swelling of your face, tongue, or lips, stop taking the medicine right away and call your doctor.

ACE inhibitor medicine names include:

  • enalapril (Vasotec)    
  • lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)    
  • benazepril (Lotensin)
  • captopril (Capoten)
  • ramipril (Altace)
  • other ______________________________________

Other medicines

Anticoagulants

Another type of blood thinner, these medicines increase the time it takes for blood to clot and makes it harder for a blood clot to form.

Medicine side effects may include: bleeding, diarrhea, or constipation, dizziness, headaches, indigestion, rashes. If you have severe bleeding, call 911 and get medical attention right away.

Anticoagulant medicine names include:

  • apixaban (Eliquis)
  • warfarin (Coumadin or Jantoven)
  • enoxaparin (Lovenox)
  • heparin
  • dabigatran (Pradaxa)
  • rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
  • fondaparinux (Arixtra)
  • dalteparin (Fragmin)
  • other_______________________________________

Nimodipine

This medicine helps reduce brain damage caused by bleeding in the brain from a burst blood vessel. This medicine is from a group of medicines called calcium channel blockers. This medicine is often given for 21 days after a hemorrhagic stroke.

Medicine side effects may include: dizziness, fast, pounding or uneven heart rate, fatigue or weakness, diarrhea, nausea, or headache. This medicine is sold by the brand names Nimotop and Nymalize.

 

© 2006 – November 18, 2021, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or healthcare team if you have any questions about your care. For more health information, call the Library for Health Information at 614-293-3707 or email: health-info@osu.edu.