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Stroke medicine has seen rapid developments in diagnosis and management, and consequently improved prognosis. Management of ischaemic stroke, in particular, has benefited from these advances. The approach to management has evolved from one of historical passivity to active intervention with time of the essence following stroke onset. The last decade has seen the comparative effectiveness of several pharmacological agents being tested, creating significant randomised controlled trial evidence to support the management of common clinical problems following acute stroke. While several of these interventions are widely available, some remain less accessible. This review will discuss the latest developments in clinical stroke medicine, based on a symposium presentation at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, and reference key randomised controlled trial evidence in an effort to provide a balanced perspective on our current understanding of acute ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke.