Brilinta

    Brilinta (ticagrelor) Dosage and Side Effects

    BRILINTA is used in combination with low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) to reduce the risk of having a stroke, another heart attack or other heart diseases.

    Warnings and Precautions

    BEFORE you take BRILINTA talk to your doctor, pharmacist or dentist if:

    • You have an increased risk of bleeding because of:

      • a recent serious injury

      • recent surgery (including dental procedures)

      • recent bleeding from your stomach or gut (such as a stomach ulcer or colon ‘polyps’)

      • a blood clotting disorder

    • You have an increased risk of bleeding because you take any of the following:

      • blood thinners such as warfarin

      • fibrinolytic drugs that help dissolve blood clots

      • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, and naproxen

      • high dose acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)

      • drugs such as ketoconazole, clarithromycin, nefazodone, ritonavir, atazanavir

    • You are due to have surgery (including dental procedures) at any time while taking BRILINTA. Your doctor may want you to stop taking BRILINTA for a short time to reduce the risk of bleeding.

    • You had a stroke in the past.

    • You are taking drugs to reduce the heart rate or if you have a condition that puts you at risk of having episodes of slow heart rate.

    • You have a history of asthma or other breathing problems.

    • You have a history of gouty arthritis or increased plasma uric acid levels.

    • You are less than 18 years old.

    • You are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you are of child-bearing age, use appropriate birth control to avoid pregnancy.

    • You are breast-feeding.

    While you are on BRILINTA it is important that you do not take any medicine other than that prescribed by your doctor. If you should see another doctor or a dentist, you should inform them that you are using BRILINTA.

    Driving or Using Machines:

    If you feel dizzy or confusion while taking BRILINTA, be careful when driving or using machines.

    Side Effects

    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

    Interactions with this medication

    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.

    Proper Use of this medication

    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.

    Other related products

    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.