Those who have had an ischaemic stroke benefit from
aspirin. Aspirin makes blood cells less sticky and likely
to form clots that can cause further stroke. This can be given rectally, orally or by nasogastric tube (Sherman,
2004). Royal College of Physicians (2012:46–7) guidelines
state that everyone with an acute stroke who has not
had primary intracerebral haemorrhage should be given
300 mg of aspirin as soon as possible and within 24 hours
of stroke. The person should have 300 mg of aspirin daily
for 2 weeks.
Some patients who have dyspepsia when using aspirin
may require a proton pump inhibitor drug such as
omeprazole to protect the stomach. Those who cannot
tolerate aspirin may require another anti-platelet agent,
such as clopidogrel.
After two weeks, patients will begin long-term antithrombotic
treatment to prevent further clots.