ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Aggrenox is used in the secondary prevention of stroke. Acute renal failure, potentially associated with Aggrenox, has been observed in several patients. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine if Aggrenox was associated with acute renal failure and to determine whether it was acetylsalicylic acid, dipyridamole or the combination that led to decline in renal function. METHODS: A case series of three patients suffering severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, renal dysfunction and clinical decline during Aggrenox therapy was examined. Serum creatinine and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) were measured to evaluate renal function. RESULTS: Analysis of this patient group revealed that Patient 1 experienced nausea, emesis, anorexia, diarrhea and significant clinical decline during treatment with Aggrenox. Patients 2 and 3 also presented with complaints of nausea and emesis. Lab measurements along with clinical symptoms indicated that all three patients experienced acute renal failure, having increases in serum creatinine of 186%, 144% and 249%, respectively. Symptoms and lab work returned to baseline following discontinuation of Aggrenox. CONCLUSION: It is biologically plausible that Aggrenox may contribute to renal dysfunction in patients under certain pathophysiological circumstances.
