What you have experienced
You have been prescribed medications known as Antiplatelets to treat a stroke or TIA.
Antiplatelets are blood thinning medication. Examples include Aspirin, Clopidogrel and Ticagrelor.
How antiplatelets work
Platelets are small sticky cells in the blood.
Platelets are responsible for our bodies' ability to clot. Platelets clump together to form blood clots at the site of wounds to stop bleeding and prevent blood loss. However, blood clots can also form at other sites such as arteries. If these blood clots dislodge, they can travel in the blood stream to the brain and can cause a stroke.
Antiplatelets such as aspirin, clopidogrel and ticagrelor work by making platelets less sticky. This makes it harder for the platelets to clump together and helps prevent blood clots from forming.
Your treatment
You should take your treatment as prescribed.
How to take
Please follow the directions on your prescription. Antiplatelets should be taken with food and swallowed whole.
If you have difficulty swallowing your tablets, some may be available as a dispersible form. You should speak to a health care professional before crushing tablets, if you are having difficulty swallowing.
Common side effects:
- Stomach irritation
- Indigestion/Heartburn
- Bleeding - If you notice unusual bleeding, such as coughing up blood, bleeding gums or blood when using the toilet, you should see your doctor immediately. If you cut or injure yourself, it may take slightly longer than usual for the bleeding to stop, as the blood thinning medication affects the way your blood clots. If you are concerned by your bleeding, you should contact your doctor straight away
- Bruising - which is unexplained
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Diarrhoea
Please report any side effects to your GP or pharmacist.
If side effects are severe and you need urgent medical attention, please call 111 or 999.
Additional Information
Before starting any new medications, including those you can buy, always check with your GP or pharmacist that these are suitable to take alongside your antiplatelet. You also must never abruptly stop taking your antiplatelet, always speak to your GP or pharmacist first.
You may be eligible for free prescriptions, please speak to your pharmacist or GP for more information.
If you pay for NHS prescriptions and have just started on lots of new medicines, then it may be cheaper to buy a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) if you need two or more items per month. A PPC covers all your NHS prescriptions, no matter how many items you need. For details on how to apply please ask your pharmacist or GP.
Additional information can also be found on the NHS website.
The Stroke Association has lots of resources and further information to support your understanding of your condition and treatment, they can be found at
https://www.stroke.org.uk/stroke/support
Date of Publication: April 2026
Date of Next Publication: April 2028
Ref No: PI_DP_2183 (Salford)