Medication for Strokes and Heart Attacks
The most common medications used to prevent and treat strokes and heart attacks are antiplatelet drugs, anticoagulants, and statins.
Antiplatelet drugs work by preventing the formation of blood clots, which can lead to a stroke or heart attack. Examples of antiplatelet drugs include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), and ticagrelor (Brilinta).
Anticoagulants are used to thin the blood and prevent the formation of blood clots, which can lead to a stroke or heart attack. Examples of anticoagulants include warfarin (Coumadin), dabigatran (Pradaxa), and rivaroxaban (Xarelto).
Statins are used to lower cholesterol levels, which can help reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack. Examples of statins include atorvastatin (Lipitor), rosuvastatin (Crestor), and simvastatin (Zocor).