 [ Symptoms ] what medications and treatments are available to treat transient ischemic attack tia [ Disease ] your doctor will probably prescribe several medicines after you have had a transient ischemic attack tia medicines to prevent blood clots are typically used because blood clots can cause tias and strokes the types of medicines that prevent clotting are antiplatelet medicines anticoagulant medicines cholesterol  lowering and blood pressure  lowering medicines are also used to prevent tias and strokes antiplatelet medicines antiplatelets such as aspirin aspirin with extended release dipyridamole or clopidogrel  keep platelets in the blood from sticking together aspirin is most often used to prevent tias and strokes many studies have shown that aspirin helps prevent strokes and reduces the risk of another tia in people who have had their first tia other antiplatelet medicines such as clopidogrel may be used for people who cannot take aspirin or for whom aspirin has not been effective aggrenox a medicine that combines aspirin with dipyridamole is a safe and effective alternative to aspirin to prevent tia and stroke for some people 9 anticoagulants anticoagulants prevent the production of certain proteins that are needed for blood to clot if you have atrial fibrillation you will probably take an anticoagulant such as warfarin  anticoagulants are more effective than antiplatelets in preventing strokes in people with atrial fibrillation 4 both anticoagulants and antiplatelets increase the risk of bleeding warfarin such as coumadin  has the highest risk of bleeding problems but the risk is lower when the dosage is closely monitored if you take warfarin do not suddenly change your intake of foods that are rich in vitamin k vitamin k can interfere with the action of anticoagulants making it more likely that your blood will clot for more information see anticoagulants vitamin k and your diet cholesterol lowering medicines experts recommend that most people who have had a tia take statins which lower cholesterol many studies show that statins significantly reduce the risk of stroke in people who have had a tia statins even protect against stroke in people who do not have heart disease or high cholesterol 5 for more information on these medicines see the topic high cholesterol webmd medical reference from healthwise this information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information © 1995 2011 healthwise incorporated healthwise healthwise for every health decision and the healthwise logo are trademarks of healthwise incorporated