For most people who need a blood-thinning drug to help prevent a first or repeat heart attack or stroke, aspirin is the drug of choice, according to the latest report from the Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs^® project (BBD).

Aspirin is one of four drugs in a class of medicines called antiplatelets. The other three are Aggrenox (a combination of aspirin and the drug dipyridamole), clopidogrel (Plavix) and ticlopidine (Ticlid).  The medicines decrease blood clotting, which evidence now shows is intimately tied to heart attack and stroke risk.

“This report will help doctors and consumers clarify the choices when it comes to use of blood-thinning medicines,” said Steven Findlay, managing editor of BBD. “The almost incredible advantage here is that tens of millions of people can benefit from taking a medicine - aspirin - that is among the least expensive available and does not require a prescription.”

The BBD analysis - drawing on 39 studies that directly compared drugs from more than 4,000 published studies screened - evaluated effectiveness, safety and cost of the four drugs in varying clinical circumstances.

Of the 85 million American adults who have heart disease or heart disease risk factors, between 40 and 60 percent are not taking an antiplatelet. However, the report recommends that people talk with a doctor before starting to take a daily aspirin on their own. Long-term aspirin use carries serious risks of gastrointestinal and brain bleeding and benefits must be weighed against risks, especially for people who have had stomach bleeding or ulcers in the past.

The antiplatelet report is the 17th in a series of consumer-friendly reports helping consumers find effective and safe medicines that give them the most value for their dollar. Every BBD report is peer-reviewed by medical experts. Reports are available for other drugs, including those that treat depression, high blood pressure, heartburn, high cholesterol, asthma, allergies, migraines, insomnia and overactive bladder.

Reports are available free to consumers either through the project’s Web site, www.crbestbuydrugs.org, or by calling Leda at the Minnesota Senior Federation, 651/783-5046. Leda is also scheduling presentations for interested groups.