Brilinta

Generic name: ticagrelor
Drug class: Platelet aggregation inhibitors

Dosage form: Tablet
Root of administration: Oral
Dose:

• Brilinta 60 mg tablets: This is the standard dose and is taken orally twice daily with or without food. It is usually prescribed for long-term use.
• Brilinta 90 mg tablets: This is a higher dose and may be used as a loading dose in people with ACS or when switching from other antiplatelet medications. It may also be prescribed for long-term use in some cases.

Mechanism of action: Brilinta prevents platelets in your blood from sticking together to form an unwanted blood clot that could block an artery.
Drug usage cases: Brilinta is used to lower your risk of heart attack, stroke, or death due to a blocked artery or a prior heart attack.

Brilinta is also used to lower your risk of blood clots if you have coronary artery disease (decreased blood flow to the heart) and have been treated with stents to open clogged arteries.

Brilinta is also used to lower your risk of a first heart attack or stroke if you have decreased blood flow to the heart.

Brilinta is also used to lower the risk of stroke and death in adults with a blockage or decreased blood flow in an artery that supplies blood to the brain.

Drug contra indications: You should not use Brilinta if you are allergic to ticagrelor, or if you have:

• any active bleeding; or
• a history of bleeding in the brain (such as from a head injury).

Side effects: Call your doctor at once if you have:

• chest pain
• fainting or dizzy spells
• nosebleeds, or any bleeding that will not stop;
• shortness of breath even with mild exertion or while lying down
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding, purple or red spots under your skin
• red, pink, or brown urine
• black, bloody, or tarry stools
• coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds

Warnings: You should not use Brilinta if you have any active bleeding (including a bleeding stomach ulcer), or a history of bleeding in the brain. Do not use this medicine just before heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

You may need to stop using this medicine for a short time before having surgery or dental work, to prevent excessive bleeding. Do not stop taking Brilinta without first talking to your doctor, even if you have signs of bleeding. Stopping this medicine may increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding: It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether Brilinta passes into breastmilk. Talk to your doctor before using Brilinta if you are breastfeeding.