Medication for stroke: Options to consider and financial help Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What are the first-line medications to treat and prevent a stroke Medically reviewed by Monica Kean, PharmD — By Jenna Fletcher on July 28, 2022Medications for stroke work in different ways. Some help prevent stroke, while others can help treat a stroke during an emergency. These medications include tissue plasminogen activators, antiplatelets, and anticoagulants. Share on PinterestHalfpoint Images/Getty ImagesA stroke occurs when either an artery bursts or a blockage in the arteries prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching the brain. When this occurs, brain cells in part of the brain can start to die off within minutes. The resulting damage can lead to disability and potential fatality. Medications for stroke aim to:help break up blood clotsreduce blood pressure and cholesterol levelshelp prevent blood clots Once a person has had a stroke, they have about a 25% chance of having another within 5 years. This makes taking preventive steps, such as taking medications and lifestyle changes, important. This article will provide information on the available medications to help prevent and treat a stroke. Overview table The following table provides an overview of the medications available to treat a stroke:TypeExamplesUsePotential side effectstissue plasminogen activator (tPA)tPA injection, or Alteplasebreaks up a clot that is causing the stroke• bleeding• bruising• pulmonary edema• arterial embolism• deep vein thrombosis• swelling of the lips and tongue• intracranial hemorrhage• shock• nausea and vomiting• seizure• stroke • thromboembolism, a type of blood clot• sepsisantiplatelets• aspirin• dipyridamole• clopidogrel• ticagrelorreduce the ability of platelets in the blood to clump together• headaches• heart palpitations• bleeding risksanticoagulants• warfarin• rivaroxaban• dabigatran• apixaban• edoxabanhelp keep the blood from clotting• excessive bleeding• constipation• diarrhea• dizziness• indigestion• rashes• itchy skin• jaundice• hair loss• nausea and vomitingstatins• simvastatin• atorvastatin• lovastatin• fluvastatin• pravastatin • pitavastatin • rosuvastatinhelp lower cholesterol• nausea• dizziness• feeling weak• constipation• diarrhea• gas• sleep problems• headacheblood pressure medicationcalcium channel blockers, including:• bepridil• diltiazem hydrochloride• nisoldipine • verapamil hydrochloride• felodipine• isradipine• nicardipine• amlodipine besylate• nifedipineangiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, including: • trandolapril• captopril• enalapril maleate• ramipril• fosinopril sodium• lisinopril• moexipril• perindopril • quinapril hydrochloride• benazepril hydrochlorideother blood pressure medications include:• diuretics• beta-blockers• angiotensin II receptor blockers• vasodilators• alpha blockershelp lower blood pressure• erection issues• headaches• tiredness or fatigue• nervousness Tissue plasminogen activator tPA To treat a stroke, a doctor may administer the tPA, called Alteplase, which can help break up a blood clot. A doctor will likely administer tPA if a person reaches a hospital within the first 3 hours of a stroke. The medication can help improve a person’s chance of recovering from a stroke. However, many people do not reach the emergency room in time, meaning they might not be able to benefit from the medication. Doctors administer the medication directly into the veins so that it reaches the clot quickly. Side effects Side effects can occur in 1–10% of people, the most common being bleeding. Other side effects include:bleedingbruisingpulmonary edema, a buildup of fluid in the lungsarterial embolism, a type of blood clotdeep vein thrombosisswelling of the lips and tongueintracranial hemorrhage, a bleed in the skull or brainshocknauseavomitingseizurestroke thromboembolism, a type of blood clotsepsis Antiplatelet drugs Antiplatelet medications help prevent platelets in the blood from sticking together, which assists in preventing blood clotting. A doctor may prescribe this type of medication to help prevent ischemic strokes or transient ischemic attacks. Ischemic strokes account for 87% of all cases of stroke and involve blood clots that cut off the blood supply to the brain. A transient ischemic attack occurs when blood temporarily does not reach the brain, but the condition resolves quickly with no damage. However, they may be an early warning sign of a stroke. Some examples of antiplatelet drugs include:aspirinaspirin-dipyridamoleclopidogrelticagrelor According to a 2019 study, antiplatelet medication may have several limitations, including a lack of studies examining their long-term use, using them for acute stroke, and adherence to treatment among individuals. A person’s doctor will assess a person’s needs and recommend dosing for the medication. Side effects Headaches and heart palpitations are common side effects. People may also have an elevated risk of bleeding events, such as intracranial hemorrhage and gastrointestinal bleeding. Anticoagulants Anticoagulants prevent the blood from clotting easily. A doctor may prescribe them to help prevent ischemic stroke. Common anticoagulants include: warfarin rivaroxabandabigatranapixabanedoxaban However, experts do not recommend these for everyone. People with bleeding conditions should avoid this type of medication. Those with liver or kidney issues may also want to avoid using these medications. Side effects The United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) states that anticoagulants can lead to excessive bleeding. Signs of excessive bleeding include:blood in the urineblood in the stoolsevere bruisingvomiting or coughing up bloodprolonged nosebleeds, that last longer than 10 minuteschest paindifficulty breathingback painincreased bleeding during periods Other side effects include:constipationdiarrheadizzinessindigestionrashesitchy skinjaundicehair lossnausea and vomiting Statins The American Heart Association (AHA) notes that statins are a type of medication to help lower cholesterol. People with high cholesterol use these medications to help prevent certain liver enzymes from creating more cholesterol, lowering the chances of a blockage. Several statins have approval for use in the United States, which include:simvastatin (Zocor) atorvastatin (Lipitor)lovastatin (Altoprev) fluvastatin (Lescol)pravastatin (Pravachol)pitavastatin (Livalo)rosuvastatin (Crestor) Side effects Statins can cause side effects, including:nauseadizzinessfeeling weakconstipationdiarrheagassleep problemsheadachemuscle weakness Uncommon side effects include:being sickhair losshepatitis, or inflammation of the liverpancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas In rare cases, statins can cause muscle weakness, tendon problems, and peripheral neuropathy. This is a loss of sensation or tingling in the feet and hands. According to a 2019 study, around 50% of people who start statins discontinue them due to the potential for side effects. However, the study authors also noted that the benefits, including stroke prevention, far outweigh the potential risks. Blood pressure medication Blood pressure medication helps lower high blood pressure. High blood pressure typically shows no symptoms but can lead to cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke. Medications for blood pressure can help prevent plaque from breaking free of the artery wall and causing a stroke. According to a 2019 study, calcium channel blockers and ACE inhibitors can help lower blood pressure and help prevent stroke. Calcium channel blockers help prevent the absorption of calcium in the heart. Calcium helps the heart beat with more force, which can increase blood pressure. Examples of calcium channel blockers include:bepridil (Vasocor)diltiazem hydrochloride (Cardizem CD, Cardizem SR, Dilacor XR, and Tiazac)nisoldipine (Sular)verapamil hydrochloride (Calan SR, Covera HS, Isoptin SR, and Verelan)felodipine (Plendil)isradipine (DynaCirc and DynaCirc CR)nicardipine (Cardene SR)amlodipine besylate (Norvasc and Lotrel)nifedipine (Adalat CC and Procardia XL) ACE inhibitors help block a chemical known as angiotensin, a chemical responsible for narrowing the arteries. By blocking angiotensin, the medication helps the blood flow more freely through the arteries. Examples of ACE inhibitors include:trandolapril (Mavik)captopril (Capoten)enalapril maleate (Vasotec)ramipril (Altace)fosinopril sodium (Monopril)lisinopril (Prinivel or Zestril)moexipril (Univasc)perindopril (Aceon)quinapril hydrochloride (Accupril)benazepril hydrochloride (Lotensin)diuretics Side effects These medications can cause different side effects, including difficulty achieving and maintaining erections, fatigue, nausea, headaches, and nervousness. Which medications help prevent stroke Several different types of medication can help prevent stroke. They include:antiplateletsanticoagulants statinsblood pressure medications, such as calcium channel blockers and ACE inhibitors diuretics A person should work with a doctor to determine the best medication to help them prevent having a stroke in the future. Which medications will a person need to take after a stroke has happened If a person recognizes the signs of stroke in themselves or someone they are with, they should call 911. Paramedics can diagnose and start treating the stroke immediately. If a person seeks medical attention within 3 hours of a stroke first appearing, doctors in the emergency room will likely administer an injection of tPA. How to take the medication A person should speak with a doctor about how to take each medication. They should take all medication as a healthcare professional prescribes and consult a doctor before stopping any medication. Some medications may require food, while others only need a drink to help swallow the pills. A person should read all labels carefully before taking their medications. Paying for stroke medication People who need help paying for their medications could use different financial aid options. There are several programs exist that can help a person in need of financial assistance for medication. They can access a list of organizations to apply for help here. Often, they will need basic information, including:names and dosage of current medicationsmonthly or yearly incomeinsurance provider, if anystate of residency Another potential source of help could come from the doctor or pharmacy. They may be able to provide coupons to help reduce the cost or recommend cheaper generic brands as substitutes. Summary Medications for stroke aim to either prevent or help treat one if it occurs. Most medications aim to reduce the recurrence of stroke either by making it easier for blood to flow through the body or reducing cholesterol levels in the blood. A person should follow all dosing and other instructions that the doctor gives them. They should also not stop taking medications without consulting a doctor first. If an individual experiences side effects, they should let the doctor know. Last medically reviewed on July 28, 2022StrokePharmacy / Pharmacist 15 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Abbas, M., et al. (2022). Stroke anticoagulation. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549826/Cholesterol medications. (2020). https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/prevention-and-treatment-of-high-cholesterol-hyperlipidemia/cholesterol-medicationsGiovane, C. D., et al. (2021). Antiplatelet drugs for secondary prevention in patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. https://bmcneurol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12883-021-02341-2Hackam, D. G., et al. (2019). Antiplatelet therapy in ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack: An overview of major trials and meta-analyses https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/STROKEAHA.118.023954High blood pressure symptoms and causes. (2021). https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/about.htmIschemic stroke (clots). (n.d.). https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/types-of-stroke/ischemic-stroke-clotsJilani, T. N., et al. (2022). Tissue plasminogen activator. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507917/Medicine assistance programs. (2020). https://www.stroke.org/en/health-topics/cardiac-rehab/managing-your-medicines/medicine-assistance-programsSide effects. (2018). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/statins/side-effects/Side effects. (2021).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/anticoagulants/side-effects/Stroke. (2022). https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/index.htmToth, P. P., et al. (2019). Statins: Then and now. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6489607/Toyoda, K., et al. (2022). Association of timing for starting dual antiplatelet treatment with cilostazol and recurrent stroke: A CSPS.com trial post hoc analysis. https://n.neurology.org/content/98/10/e983Types of blood pressure medications. (2017). https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/changes-you-can-make-to-manage-high-blood-pressure/types-of-blood-pressure-medicationsWajngarten, M., et al. (2019). Hypertension and stroke: Update on treatment.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6659031/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Monica Kean, PharmD — By Jenna Fletcher on July 28, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat are the different types of stroke?Medically reviewed by Heidi Moawad, MD There are three main types of stroke: ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack, and hemorrhagic stroke. Learn about their causes and treatment…READ MORE6 statin alternativesMedically reviewed by Femi Aremu, PharmD There are a few natural alternatives to statins that may help lower cholesterol levels. Learn more.READ MOREThe uses and risks of statinsMedically reviewed by Alan Carter, PharmD Statins are drugs that can reduce levels of cholesterol in the blood. Learn about the types, their uses, and the risks of taking statins here.READ MOREStudy links air pollution to increased risk of stroke and related death A new study tracked the effect of air pollution on stroke risk. Researchers tracked the health records of a large number of people and their exposure…READ MOREWhat are the stages of stroke recovery?Medically reviewed by Nancy Hammond, MD Stroke recovery varies from person to person, but healthcare professionals break it into six stages to help them track people's progress. Learn more.READ MORE