A new form of long-lasting form of aspirin is now available for people who are at high risk of a second heart attack or stroke.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the prescription drug, called Durlaza, in September.  It is an oral medication intended for people who, having already suffered a heart attack or stroke, are deemed at high risk for another cardiovascular event. 

The once-daily medication delivers controlled-release aspirin that is released slowly into the bloodstream and has been found to last longer than other aspirin formulations, according to a release from New Haven Pharmaceuticals, the drug’s manufacturer.

Most heart attacks and strokes are caused when blood platelets aggregate, or form blood clots, stopping the flow of blood to the heart or the brain.  Aspirin, which is a blood thinner, prevents blood platelets from clumping together. The use of low-dose aspirin therapy (82 mg) is a mainstay preventative treatment for people with stable cardiovascular disease.

Durlaza, which is a 162.5 dose, won FDA approval following a single-center study of patients with Type II diabetes who were treated daily with the drug for 14 days, and found to have favorable blood platelet profiles, the company said.