Does Alcohol Interact with Brilinta?
According to the manufacturer’s product label, Brilinta and alcohol have no known medical interactions. However, for safety reasons, it is recommended to avoid drinking while taking Brilinta with aspirin. Research shows that aspirin and alcohol can interact directly, increasing the risk of stomach bleeding or ulcers when consumed together.
It is important to highlight that both alcohol and Brilinta act as blood thinners, working to prevent blood clots. Moderate alcohol consumption shouldn’t negatively affect Brilinta treatment. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines moderate drinking as up to two drinks per day for men and up to one drink per day for women.
However, the risks of mixing Brilinta and alcohol increase significantly with excessive alcohol consumption.
Risks of Brilinta and Alcohol
In moderation, alcohol can help thin the blood, potentially providing cardiovascular benefits by improving blood flow and reducing clot risks. Moderate alcohol intake has been linked to a reduced risk of heart issues related to poor blood circulation.
Conversely, excessive alcohol consumption may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. Studies have shown that regular binge drinking is associated with a higher stroke risk. Long-term, heavy drinking can damage the liver, leading to alcohol-related liver disease. Chronic alcohol abuse can also cause fat accumulation (fatty liver disease) and severe liver damage.
Men consuming more than four drinks per day or more than 14 drinks per week while on Brilinta may face a higher bleeding risk. Women who drink more than three drinks per day or more than seven drinks per week while using Brilinta are also at an elevated risk of bleeding.
Brilinta is primarily processed in the liver and should not be used by individuals with advanced liver disease. Patients with liver conditions taking Brilinta may have a heightened risk of bleeding.
Both alcohol and Brilinta have similar side effects, such as causing nausea and discomfort. Combining Brilinta with alcohol may increase the likelihood of these adverse effects.
Benefits of Taking Brilinta
Brilinta is generally prescribed twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening. FDA-approved uses for Brilinta include:
- Reducing the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, or stroke. It has proven more effective than clopidogrel for at least the first year after acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
- Lowering the chance of clot formation in patients with stents placed to treat ACS.
- Decreasing the risk of a first heart attack or stroke in high-risk coronary artery disease (CAD) patients.
- Reducing the risk of stroke (with an NIH Stroke Scale score of ≤5) or transient ischemic attack in patients.