Brilinta (Ticagrelor)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs):

What is Brilinta?

Brilinta (Ticagrelor) is a prescription oral medication and belongs to a group of medicines that prevent blood clots called antiplatelets. Brilinta reduces the risk of a heart attack or stroke in people with heart disease. It works by preventing the blood platelets from clumping together and forming harmful clots. But the safety and efficacy of the drug are not known in children.

Uses and Benefits of Brilinta

Brilinta is prescribed by doctors to reduce the risk of heart attack, and stroke in patients with the following conditions:

• Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) where the blood supply to the heart is reduced due to the blockage in the arteries.

• Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)

• A history of a heart attack, an acute ischemic stroke, and a mini-stroke or transient ischemic attack.

Brilinta is also used to prevent blood clots in people who received stents for Coronary heart disease.

Side Effects of Brilinta?

Patients taking Brilinta may experience some common side effects, including headache, nausea, dizziness, and nosebleed. These side effects may fade away after some time.

Brilinta may also cause serious side effects including:

• Shortness of breath

• Easy bruising and bleeding

• Severe or uncontrolled bleeding

• Blood in the stools

• Vomiting blood

• Pink, red or brown urine.

• Confusion and trouble speaking

• Vision changes

• Signs of a blood clotting

• Rash, itching, and swelling of the face, tongue, and throat

Talk to your doctor right away if you notice any serious side effects after taking Brilinta.

How to use Brilinta?

Brilinta is available in the form of tablets and taken orally with or without food, usually twice daily. If you are not able to swallow Brilinta, you may crush the tablet and mix it with water. Drink the mixture right away.

Take Brilinta at the same time every day for maximum benefit. If you forget to take Brilinta, take your next dose at the scheduled time. It is always advised to not take two doses at the same time.

Brilinta is usually taken along with aspirin. Your doctor may prescribe a 75-100 mg aspirin tablet daily. Do not take more than 100 mg aspirin daily because it can affect the efficiency of Brilinta. Tell your doctor if you are already taking medicines that contain aspirin.

Take Brilinta and aspirin exactly as recommended by your doctor. Do not stop taking the medications without asking your doctor.

Drug Interactions

Some medications may interact with Brilinta and affect its working or increase the risk of bleeding. So, before starting the treatment tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, especially

• Other antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel
• NSAIDs such as ibuprofen
• Blood thinners such as warfarin
• Mifepristone
• Antibiotics and Antifungals
• HIV and Hepatitis medications
• Antiseizure medications such as carbamazepine
• Medications for heart diseases or blood pressur

Safety Information

• Do not take Brilinta if you have any bleeding problem, a history of bleeding in the brain, or are allergic to any of the drug ingredients.

• Before using Brilinta, tell your doctor if you have had bleeding problems such as hemophilia or nosebleeds, stomach ulcer, recent injury or surgery, liver disease, lungs problems like COPD or asthma, and heart rhythm problems

• If you plan to have surgery or dental procedure tell your doctor you are taking Brilinta as it can increase the risk of bleeding. Your doctor may advise you to stop taking Brilinta 5 days before surgery.

• Talk to your doctor about the safety of Brilinta if you are pregnant, plans to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Reference:

• https://den8dhaj6zs0e.cloudfront.net/50fd68b9-106b-4550-b5d0-12b045f8b184/565ceafd-fbe3-4573-9c39-19280af566ec/565ceafd-fbe3-4573-9c39-19280af566ec_pi_med_guide_rendition__c.pdf

• https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-156521/brilinta-oral/details

• https://www.1mg.com/drugs/brilinta-90mg-tablet-119687