Aspirin in doses of 325 mg to 1,300 mg per day is the drug of choice f
or prophylactic therapy in cerebrovascular disease. Ticlopidine, a pla
telet antagonist, is available for use in patients who cannot tolerate
aspirin or who have not had success with aspirin therapy. Although ti
clopidine is more effective than aspirin in preventing stroke, its use
may be somewhat limited due to cost and the uncommon but serious side
effect of neutropenia. Low-dose warfarin remains the drug of choice f
or the prevention of cardioembolic stroke. The role of warfarin in isc
hemic cerebrovascular disease is unknown.