Brilinta (Ticagrelor)

(℞) Prescription Required

Brilinta (Ticagrelor) Dosage and Side Effects

Brilinta is a prescription medication used in conjunction with low-dose aspirin to help prevent stroke and heart attacks in patients with heart problems. Known by its generic name, Ticagrelor, Brilinta may also be used after specific heart surgeries like stent placements, coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG), and angioplasty.

Brilinta works by preventing platelets from forming clots by blocking them from sticking together. An anti-platelet medication, Brilinta works to keep optimize and regulate steady blood flow throughout the body. This medication can be taken with and without food, as directed by your physician, and should be taken regularly. Of note, Brilinta may be crushed into a powder and drank with water for those who have difficulty swallowing pills. Brilinta is usually taken twice daily, as directed by your doctor.

Brilinta is primarily used to treat a number of specific conditions like Non-Q Wave Heart Attack, unpredictable severe constricting chest pain, prevention of blood clot to the brain, blood clot prevention following percutaneous coronary intervention, Acute Syndrome of the Heart, Acute ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction, and Myocardial Reinfarction Prevention

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. This is because Brilinta can affect the way some medicines work and some medicines can have an effect on Brilinta.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines:

‘Oral anticoagulants' often referred to as “blood thinners” which include warfarin.
‘Fibrinolytics' often referred to as “clot-dissolvers” which include streptokinase and alteplase.
Other medicines to prevent or treat blood clots.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Ketoconazole, clarithromycin, nefazodone, ritonavir and atazanavir.
High dose (greater than 150 mg daily) acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin).
More than 40 mg daily of either simvastatin or lovastatin.
Digoxin.
Cyclosporine.
Rifampin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital and dexamethasone.

Keep a list of the medicines you take and show it to your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

If you take more Brilinta tablets than you should, you may be at increased risk of bleeding.

Missed dose:

If you forget to take your scheduled dose of Brilinta, take your next dose at its scheduled time. Do not take a double dose (two tablets at the same time) to make up for the forgotten tablet.

Take Brilinta with extreme caution, and keep in touch, or opt to be monitored by your doctor. Patients should never increase their dosage, or take Brilinta for longer than originally prescribed, as the risk of side effects will increase. It’s important for patients to continue taking Brilinta despite feeling better - stopping can contribute to a higher risk of stroke or heart attack.

Brilinta can cause serious and sometimes fatal bleeding. Always fully disclose your entire medical history to your physician, especially with regard to bleeding issues. It’s also important to discuss upcoming surgeries with your doctor, who may give you specific instructions for stopping your Brilinta dose prior to surgery.

You should not take Brilinta if you have any of the following conditions:

Atrioventricular Heart Block
Hemorrhage Within the Skull
Bleeding
Liver problems and/or severe liver disease
Recent operation

Like all medicines, Brilinta may have unwanted effects on some people.

Brilinta affects blood clotting, so most side effects are related to bleeding. Bleeding may occur in any part of the body. Some bleeding is common (like bruising and nose bleeds). Severe bleeding is uncommon, but can be life threatening.

The most common side effects of Brilinta are:

Headache
Feeling dizzy or like the room is spinning
Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea or indigestion
Nausea or vomiting
Itching
Confusion
A tingling feeling
Inflamed stomach lining
Fatigue, muscle weakness
Anxiety
Cough
Severe pain and swelling in your joints (signs of gout)
Feeling dizzy or lightheaded, or having blurred vision (signs of low blood pressure)
Bleeding from your stomach lining (ulcer)
Bleeding gums

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines:

‘Oral anticoagulants' often referred to as “blood thinners” which include warfarin.
‘Fibrinolytics' often referred to as “clot-dissolvers” which include streptokinase and alteplase.
Other medicines to prevent or treat blood clots.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Ketoconazole, clarithromycin, nefazodone, ritonavir and atazanavir.
High dose (greater than 150 mg daily) acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin).
More than 40 mg daily of either simvastatin or lovastatin.
Digoxin.
Cyclosporine.
Rifampin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital and dexamethasone.

Keep a list of the medicines you take and show it to your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.