No Drugs Prove Best in Stroke Prevention

Two new studies offer guidance on which drugs may help prevent strokes. Both studies included about 20,000 stroke patients. In one study, people were randomly assigned to receive either telmisartan or a placebo (fake pill). Telmisartan is a blood pressure drug. After 2½ years, both groups had similar rates of new stroke, heart attack or diabetes. The other study looked at drugs that reduce the risk of blood clots. People were given either clopidogrel (Plavix) or the combination of dipyridamole (Persantine) and aspirin. After 2½ years, stroke rates were the same in both groups. HealthDay News wrote about the studies August 27. They were published online by the New England Journal of Medicine.