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Page: << Prev | 1 | 2 In a second study in the same issue of the journal, researchers led by Sacco compared the effectiveness of two drug regimens designed to reduce clotting, Persantine (Dipyridamole) plus aspirin or Plavix (clopidogrel) in preventing new strokes among the same group of patients as in the first study.
"The two drugs were essentially the same in terms of their ability to reduce the risk of recurrent stroke, as well as reducing the risk of heart attack and death after a stroke," Sacco said.
During two-and-a-half years of follow-up, 9 percent of the patients taking Persantine and aspirin suffered a stroke compared with 8.8 percent of those taking Plavix. In both groups, 13.1 percent of the patients had a heart attack or died.
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"Both drugs are equally effective; neither drug is superior to the other in terms of reducing a recurrent stroke," Sacco said.
Deciding which drug regimen to use depends on the individual patient, Sacco said. "In some patients, we may use Plavix, particularly in those who have cardiac disease, and in some patients, we may still use this combination of Persantine and aspirin. Choices are helpful, since different people respond differently to different medicines," he said.
More information
For more on stroke, visit the American Stroke Association.
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