6 April 2013

STROKE - Medication Adherence








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Photo of medication


Medication adherence is a prevalent issue surrounding recurrent stroke prevention. Over 50 percent of aging patients on multiple prescription medications admit that they forget to take their medications at varying degrees, with some patients habitually missing their medications. Many patients also admit to not taking their medications exactly as prescribed. Taking medications as prescribed is central to recovery post-stroke and recurrent stroke prevention.








Ask Your Healthcare Professional or Pharmacist:

  • What is the medicine’s name and what is it for?
  • When and how do I take this medicine?
  • What are the possible side effects?
  • When should I expect the medicine to start working?
  • Will the medicine interact with any of my other medicines?
  • Is it okay to take this medicine with my supplements (e.g., vitamins, omega-3, etc.)?
  • What should my medicine look like?
  • What do I do if I forget my dose?
  • What are the repercussions if I stop taking this medicine altogether?
  • Besides time of day, is there anything else I should know about taking my meds (e.g., on a full stomach, with milk, etc.)?
  • Are there foods I need to avoid when taking this medicine?

One of the best ways to manage your medications is stay organized with a medication tracker. 


image of Medication Tracker





 Medication Assistance
Generic NameBrand NameAssistance Program ClassCondition It Treats
Atorvastatin calciumLipitor®PfizerStatinHigh cholesterol
BaclofenKemstro™, Gablofen®, Lioresal®Medtronic Inc.GABA receptor antagonistSpasticity
OnabotulinumtoxinABotox®AllerganNeurotoxinUpper limb spasticity and incontinence
Dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfateNuedexta™AvanirMiscellaneous central nervous system agentPseudobulbar affect (PBA)
DipryidamolePersantine®Boehringer IngelheimAntiplateletPrevents blood clots
Aspirin/Extended-release dipyridamoleAggrenox®Boehringer IngelheimAntiplateletPrevents blood clots
Clopidogrel bisulfatePlavix®Bristol-Myers SquibbAntiplateletPrevents blood clots
Dabigatran etexilatePradaxa®Boehringer IngelheimAnticoagulantAtrial fibrillation (Afib)
Losartan potassiumCozaar®MerckAngiotensin II receptor antagonistHigh blood pressure
Rosuvastatin calciumCrestor®AstraZenecaStatinHigh cholesterol
TelmisartanMicardis®Boehringer IngelheimAngiotensin II receptor antagonistHigh blood pressure
Ticlopidine hydrochlorideTiclid®Roche LaboratoriesAntiplateletPrevents blood clots
AlteplaseActivase®—Also known as tPA (tissue plasminogen activator)GenentechThrombolyticsBreaks down blood clots
WarfarinCoumadin®, Jantoven®, Marevan®Bristol-Myers SquibbAnticoagulantPrevents blood clots
There are other medications that are prescribed to treat conditions associated with stroke that may not be listed above. 


Explaining Stroke-Related Medications

Drug ClassWhat They DoExamples
AnticoagulantsReduce the risk of blood clots and prevent existing blood clots from getting bigger by thinning the bloodHeparin®, Pradaxa®, Coumadin®
AntiplateletsPrevent platelets (blood cells) from sticking togetherPlavix®, Aggrenox®, Persantine®, Ticlid®
Angiotensin II receptor antagonistsBlock angiotensin II, a chemical that triggers muscle contraction around blood vessels, narrowing them. By inhibiting the chemical, blood vessels can enlarge and blood pressure is reduced.Micardis®, Cozaar®, Hyzaar® 
GABA (gamma-Amino butyric acid) receptor antagonistsInhibit the action of GABA, which inhibits neurotransmitters and regulates the nervous system.Kemstro™, Gablofen®, Lioresal®
Miscellaneous central nervous system agentsAffect physiological and psychological processes in the central nervous systemNuedexta™
NeurotoxinsInteract with proteins in nerves to relax musclesBotox®
StatinsLower cholesterol by inhibiting the enzyme in the blood that produces cholesterol in the liverLipitor®, Crestor®, Zocor®, Mevacor®, Lescol®
ThrombolyticsBreak up blood clots Activase®