Brilinta (Ticagrelor)

Description

Brilinta (ticagrelor) is a medication prescribed to decrease the risk of:

• cardiovascular death, heart attack, and stroke in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or a history of a heart attack.
• stent thrombosis, or occlusion, in ACS patients.
• a first heart attack or stroke in patients who have coronary artery disease (CAD) and are at high risk of these events.
• stroke in patients who have acute ischemic stroke or high-risk transient ischemic attack (TIA).

Brilinta comes in 60 mg and 90 mg tablets for oral administration.

Directions

Take Brilinta exactly as your doctor has prescribed. Discuss any questions or concerns you have about the medication with your doctor or pharmacist.

Each patient’s dose of Brilinta is based on the condition being treated and is recommended to be taken with aspirin. Your doctor will tell you how much Brilinta and aspirin is right for you.

Ingredients

Ticagrelor is the active ingredient in Brilinta.

Mannitol, dibasic calcium phosphate, sodium starch glycolate, hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol 400, ferric oxide black, and ferric oxide red are the inactive ingredients in the 60 mg tablets.

Mannitol, dibasic calcium phosphate, sodium starch glycolate, hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, titanium dioxide, talc, polyethylene glycol 400, and ferric oxide yellow are the inactive ingredients in the 90 mg tablets.

Contraindications

The administration of Brilinta should be avoided in patients who have had bleeding in the brain, active bleeding, or an allergy to ticagrelor or to any of its components.

Cautions

Brilinta has an FDA Boxed Warning regarding the risk of significant bleeding that can be fatal. Patients with active pathological bleeding or a history of brain bleeding should not take Brilinta. In addition, patients undergoing urgent coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) should not take Brilinta. Because stopping Brilinta can increase the risk of cardiovascular events, bleeding should be managed without stopping Brilinta, if possible.

Brilinta also has an FDA Boxed Warning against taking aspirin in doses of 100 mg or more with Brilinta, as doing so can decrease the effects of Brilinta.

• Before you start taking Brilinta, tell your doctor:
• About all the medications you take, including prescription medications, herbals, vitamins, and supplements.
• About your allergies.
• About your current health problems and past medical history.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Patients may experience shortness of breath with Brilinta treatment.
• Patients should stop Brilinta only if their doctor has instructed them to do so.
• Patients may experience abnormal slow heart rhythms with Brilinta treatment.
• Brilinta should not be administered to patients with severe liver problems.
• Brilinta treatment may cause central sleep apnea.
• Certain laboratory tests can be affected by Brilinta.

Side Effects

Bleeding and shortness of breath are common Brilinta medication side effects; however, patients may experience other side effects as well. If you experience side effects that concern you or won’t go away, contact your doctor immediately.

Reference:

Brilinta (ticagrelor). Wilmington, DE: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP; 2022.

About Dr. Savannah Muncy (Page Author)

Dr. Muncy (PharmD) studied science and education as an undergraduate before attending the Appalachian College of Pharmacy where she completed her PharmD in three years. She is currently using her pharmacy and healthcare expertise to write medical content for clients all around the world. She is focused on delivering the most current, accurate, and engaging information to healthcare professionals and patients. Read More....