Stroke Medication

Stroke medication is only used on one type of stroke, called the ischemic stroke. With an ischemic stroke, the blood to the brain is stopped due to a blood clot. In a hemorrhagic stroke, there is bleeding in the brain, and no medications will be given. 

Types of Stroke Medication

Aspirin is an anti-platelet stroke medication most commonly used to prevent strokes. Studies have shown that people taking aspirin as a stroke medication within 48 hours of the stroke can reduce the chance of a second stroke and also can prevent death. Other anti-platelet medicines used for strokes are clopidogrel, known by the brand Plavix. Another type of stroke medication is Aggrenox, which is a combination of aspirin and time-release diyridarnole.

Anticoagulants are a type of stroke medication which is taken before the fact, to prevent blood clots from occurring and causing the stroke. Cholesterol lowering drugs like statin also can be used as stroke medication, to help defer the possibility of a stroke.