Since the positive results of CHANCE and POINT trials, early initiation of dual antiplatelet therapy comprised of clopidogrel and aspirin, administered for 10 to 21 days, has become a standard treatment protocol for patients with mild acute ischemic stroke or high risk transient ischemic attack. The recently published THALES trial demonstrated that combining ticagrelor, a direct acting platelet P2Y12 receptor antagonist, and aspirin for 30 days can also prevent at least 17% of early recurrent stroke in the similar patient group, but increase major bleeding risk up to four times compared with standard treatment. A ticagrelor-based dual antiplatelet therapy may provide an alternative option to those who are clopidogrel poor-respondent; nevertheless, the concern of higher bleeding risk may preclude its universal usage. Further clinical trials comparing clopidogrel-based and ticagrelor-based dual antiplatelet therapy may help clarifying direct evidence on which combination regimen is favored.