Blood clot dissolvers

How the Drug Works:

Thrombolytic agents dissolve blood clots and restore blood circulation to affected body tissue.

Uses:

To dissolve blood clots, including those blocking coronary arteries in acute heart attacks.

Precautions:

Alteplase: To help manage acute ischemic strokes in adults to reduce the chances of disability, or to reduce the incidence of congestive heart failure (CHF) and death due to heart attack.

Streptokinase: To dissolve large blood clots in legs.

Unlabeled Uses: Occasionally doctors may prescribe alteplase for the treatment of unstable angina pectoris (chest pain).

Abnormal heartbeats: Use of thrombolytic agents to dissolve clots in coronary arteries (acute heart attack) may result in abnormal heartbeat. Heart rate will need to be monitored during and following therapy.

Pregnancy: Safety for use during pregnancy has not been established.

Use only if clearly needed and the potential benefits to the mother out­weigh the possible hazards to the fetus.

Breastfeeding: It is not known if thrombolytic agents appear in breast milk. Consult your doctor before you begin breastfeeding.

Children: Safety and effectiveness have not been established.

Lab Tests: Lab tests will be required to monitor therapy. Tests may include platelet counts, thrombin time (TT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), fibrinogen levels, hematocrit counts, as well as the monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm, and other vital signs (eg, respirations, temperature).

Drug Interactions:

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or will be taking any over­the-counter or prescription medications or dietary supplements while taking a thrombolytic agent. Doses of one or both drugs may need to be modified or a different drug may need to be prescribed. The following drugs and drug classes interact with thrombolytic agents:

• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin)
• Aspirin antiplatelet agents heparin (eg, Hep-Lock)
• Ndomethacin (eg, Indocin)

Side Effects:

Every drug is capable of producing side effects. Many thrombolytic agent users experience no, or minor, side effects. The frequency and severity of side effects depend on many factors including dose, duration of therapy, and individual susceptibility. Possible side effects include:

Bleeding: Bleeding at puncture and incision sites; bleeding from rectum, stomach, lungs, gums, mouth, nose, or urinary tract.

Digestive Tract: Nausea; vomiting.

Circulatory System: Internal bleeding; irregular heartbeat; changes in blood pressure.

Skin: Rash; unusual bruising.

Other: Fever; chills; difficult or fast breathing; back pain.

Guidelines for Use:

• This medicine will be prepared and administered intravenously (into a vein) by your health care provider in a medical setting.
• Dosage is individualized.
• Effectiveness depends on how quickly the drug is given.
• Bleeding is a common side effect of thrombolytic agent therapy.
• Notify your doctor immediately if you experience fever, shivering, chills, rash, hives, swelling, or difficult or rapid breathing.

Dipyridamole Information - Drug Interactions

Type of Drug:

Antiplatelet agent.

How the Dipyridamole Products Works:

Platelets are components of the blood that aid in clot formation. Blood clots often form on platelets that have clumped together. Dipyridamole helps prevent blood clots from forming by preventing platelets from clumping together.

Uses of dipyridamole Products :

Given in combination with oral anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) to prevent blood clot formation after heart valve surgery.

Unlabeled Uses: Occasionally doctors may prescribe derivable with aspirin to prevent heart attacks and reduce heart attack damage.

Precautions:

Do not use in the following situations: Allergy to the drug or any of its ingredients.

Use with caution in the following situations: coronary artery disease, severe liver disease low blood pressure

Hypo tension (low blood pressure): Dipyridamole may aggravate light-headedness in people with low blood pressure. Use caution when rising from a sitting or lying position.

Pregnancy: There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Use only if clearly needed and the potential benefits out­weigh the possible risks to the fetus.

Breastfeeding: Dipyridamole appears in breast milk. Consult your doctor before you begin breastfeeding.

Children: Safety and effectiveness have not been established in children younger than 12 years of age.

Lab tests may be required to monitor therapy. Tests include liver function monitoring.

Side Effects of Pipyridamole

Every drug is capable of producing side effects. Many patients experience no, or minor, side effects. The frequency and severity of side effects depend on many factors including dose, duration of therapy, and individual susceptibility. Possible side effects include:

Digestive Tract: Stomach ache; diarrhea; vomiting.

Other: Dizziness; light-headedness; fainting; headache; rash; flushing; itching; abnormal liver tests.

Guidelines for Use:

• Dosage is individualized. Take exactly as prescribed.
• Do not stop taking or change the dose, unless instructed by your doctor.
• Take without regard to food, but take with food is stomach upset occurs.
• If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless instructed by your doctor. If more than one dose is missed or it is necessary to establish a new dosage schedule, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
• If using this medicine in combination with oral anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), do not take aspirin, unless instructed by your doctor.
• Lab tests may be required to monitor therapy. Be sure to keep appointments.
• Store at room temperature (59° to 86°F).

Anagrelide - Guidelines for Using Anagrelide - Uses and Benefits

Type of Drug:

Antiplatelet agent.

How the Drug Works:

It is not known exactly how anagrelide reduces blood platelet levels. It is thought that it may slow down how fast platelets are produced and released by the bone marrow

Uses:

For the treatment of patients with essential thom body to the mia (too many blood platelets) to reduce the elevated platelet count and the risk of clothing and associated symptoms.

Precautions:

Do not use in the following situations: Allergy to the drug or any of its ingredients.

Use with caution in the following situations: heart disease, known or suspected kidney disease liver disease

• Pregnancy: There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Use only if clearly needed and the potential benefits out­weigh the possible risks to the fetus.

• Breastfeeding: It is not known if this drug is excreted in breast milk. Consult your doctor before you being breastfeeding.

• Children: Safety and effectiveness in patients younger than 16 years of age have not been established.

• Lab Tests: Lab tests will be required to monitor therapy. Tests include cardiovascular exams, blood counts, and kidney and liver function monitoring.

Drug Interactions:

Tell Your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or planning to take any over the counter or prescription medications or dietary supplements while taking this drug. Drug doses may need to be modified or a different drug prescribed. Sucralfate (Carafate) may interact with anagrelide.

Side Effects:

Every drug is capable of producing side effects. Many patients experience no, or minor, side effects. The frequency and severity of side effects depend on many factors including dose, duration of therapy, and individual susceptibility. Possible side effects include:

Circulatory System: Fast heartbeat; pounding in the chest (palpitations); heart failure; chest pain.

• Digestive Tract: Diarrhea; stomach pain; nausea; gas; vomiting; indigestion; appetite loss.

• Other : Headache; weakness; swelling; pain; dizziness; difficulty breathing; rash; hives; abnormal skin sensations; back pain; general body discomfort.

Guidelines for Use:

• Dosage is individualized. Take exactly as prescribed.
• Do not stop taking or change the dose, unless instructed by your doctor.
• Dosage will usually be slowly increased to achieve maximum benefit.
• Take without regard to meals. Take with food if stomach upset occurs.
• If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless instructed by your doctor. If more than one dose is missed or it is necessary to establish a new dosage schedule, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
• Women of childbearing potential must use adequate contraception while· taking this drug. It may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.
• Lab tests will be required to monitor therapy. Be sure to keep appointments.
• Store at controlled room temperature (59° to 71° F) in a light-resistant container.

Dipyridamole-aspirin Guidelines for Using Dipyridamole-aspirin - Uses and Benefits

Type of Drug:

Combination anti platelet agent.

How the Dipyridamole-aspirin Works:

Aspirin and dipyridamole work together to prevent blood clots from forming by preventing platelets from clumping together. Platelets are parts of the blood that aid in clot formation.

Uses of Dipyridamole/aspirin:

To reduce the risk of stroke in patients who have had transient ischemia of the brain (TIAs) or complete ischemic stroke because of blood clots.

Precautions:

Do not use in the following situations: allergy to dipyridamole, aspirin, NSAIDs, or any of their ingredients asthma, nasal polyps, and rhinitis syndrome viral infections with or without fever, in children or teenagers

Use with caution in the following situations: alcohol use kidney disease bleeding abnormalities liver disease coronary artery disease low blood pressure gastrointestinal bleeding or peptic ulcer disease ulcers

• Reye syndrome: There is a risk of Reye syndrome in children and teenagers when using aspirin in certain viral illnesses. Do not use in children or teenagers with viral infections with or without fever.

• Pregnancy: There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Use only when clearly needed and potential benefits out­weigh the possible risks to the fetus. Avoid the combination in the third trimester of pregnancy because of the aspirin component.

• Breastfeeding: Dipyridamole and aspirin are excreted in breast milk.

Consult your doctor before you begin breastfeeding.

• Children: Safety and effectiveness have not been established. This product is not recommended in children and teenagers because of the aspirin component.

• Lab Test: lab tests may be required during treatment. Tests include liver and kidney function, blood counts, urine tests, and bleeding tests.

Drug Interactions:

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or planning to take any over- the-counter or prescription medications or dietary supplements with this drug. Drug doses may need to be modified or a different drug pre­scribed. The following drugs and drug classes interact with this drug:

• ACE inhibitors (eg, captopril)
• Adenosine (Adenocard)
• Anticoagulants (eg ibuprofen)
• Ethotrexate (eg, Rheumatrex)
• Diuretics (eg, furosemide)

Side Effects of Dipyridamole-aspirin:

Every drug is capable of producing side effects. Many patients experience no, or minor, side effects. The frequency and severity of side effects depend on many factors including dose, duration of therapy, and individual susceptibility. Possible side effects include:

• Nervous System: Headache; forgetfulness; convulsions; confusion; drowsiness; dizziness; fainting; weakness.

• Digestive Tract: Stomach pain; indigestion; heartburn; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; coffee-ground or bloody vomit; appetite loss; dark or bloody stools; rectal bleeding; stomach bleeding; hemorrhoids.

• Other: Unusual bleeding or bruising; nosebleed; anemia; joint, chest, muscle, or back pain; arthritis; rash; itching; hives; general body discomfort; coughing; upper respiratory tract infection; accidental injury; heart failure; abnormal tissue growth; fatigue.

Guidelines for Use:

• Dosage is individualized. Take exactly as prescribed.
• Do not stop taking or change the dose, unless instructed by your doctor.
• Swallow capsules whole. Do not crush or chew.
• Take with food if stomach upset occurs.
• Do not interchange with individual components of aspirin and dipyridamole.
• If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless instructed by your doctor. If more than one dose is missed or it is necessary to establish a new dosage schedule, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
• Patients who consume 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day are at a higher risk of gastrointestinal bleeding while taking aspirin.
• Do not use in children or teenagers with viral infections with or without fever because of the risk of Reye syndrome associated with use of aspirin in certain viral illnesses.
• Do not use other aspirin-containing products, unless instructed by your doctor.
• Notify your doctor if you are pregnant, become pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
• Contact your doctor immediately if you experience signs and symptoms of unusual bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding (eg, bloody vomit, dark tarry stools), or recurrent signs of stroke or TIA.
• Notify your doctor if you experience bothersome side effects such as headache, indigestion, stomach pain, nausea, dizziness, or excessive bruising.
• Do not take aspirin if you have a known allergy to NSAIDs, asthma, rhinitis, or nasal polyps.
• Lab tests may be required to monitor treatment. Be sure to keep appointments.
• Store at room temperature (59 to 86°F) in a dry pl ace.