Brilinta (Ticagrelor) is a pharmaceutical drug utilized to lower the risk of heart attacks, strokes, blood clots, and other severe cardiovascular issues.
Patients who suffer from acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or have had stents placed in their heart arteries are recommended to take Brilinta. Stents are tiny metal tubes that help keep blood vessels open, promoting proper blood circulation.
Brilinta is also suggested for individuals who have coronary artery disease (CAD) and are at an increased risk for heart attacks or strokes, including those who have previously had a stroke due to an obstructed artery or a transient ischemic attack (TIA).
Combining Aspirin with Brilinta
When administering Brilinta, patients should ensure their daily aspirin intake does not exceed 100 mg. Taking more than the recommended amount can reduce Brilinta’s efficacy. Therefore, it’s critical to monitor and regulate your aspirin consumption meticulously.
Possible Side Effects of Brilinta
The side effects of Brilinta can range from mild to severe. Some of the possible adverse effects include:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Slow heart rate
- Rash
- Allergic reactions, such as swelling of the face, throat, lips, tongue, hands, or feet
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you encounter any of the following severe side effects while on Brilinta:
- Severe or uncontrollable bleeding
- Pink, red, or brown urine
- Vomiting blood or vomit that resembles coffee grounds
- Red or black stools
- Coughing up blood or blood clots
Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects for approved medications. You can report any side effects experienced with Brilinta to the FDA through the MedWatch program.
Contraindications for Brilinta
Avoid taking Brilinta if you:
- Have a history of brain bleeding
- Are currently experiencing bleeding
- Are allergic to ticagrelor or any of the other ingredients in Brilinta
Alternative Medications
Several alternatives to Brilinta include:
- Clopidogrel (Plavix)
- Prasugrel (Effient)
- Dipyridamole (Persantine)
- Dipyridamole/aspirin (Aggrenox)
- Ticlopidine
- Eptifibatide
- Warfarin (Jantoven)
- Heparin
- Rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
- Apixaban (Eliquis)
- Dabigatran (Pradaxa)
- Edoxaban (Savaysa)
- Enoxaparin (Lovenox)
- Fondaparinux (Arixtra)
Note: Some of these medications are used off-label, which means they are prescribed for conditions other than those officially approved by the FDA.