Brilinta Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Brilinta Tablet contains the active drug ticagrelor, an antiplatelet medicine from the P2Y12 platelet inhibitor class. It is a prescription medicine used in adults to help prevent dangerous blood clots that can cause heart attacks and strokes, and it is usually taken together with a low dose of aspirin. Brilinta works by stopping platelets from sticking together, which lowers the risk of clots forming in arteries or stents.

What is Brilinta Tablet

Brilinta is a prescription medicine that contains the active drug ticagrelor. It is used in adults to help prevent dangerous blood clots that can cause heart attacks and strokes, and it is usually taken together with a low dose of aspirin.

Brilinta Tablet uses

• Reducing the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, and stroke in people with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or a history of heart attack
• Reducing the rate of blood clots forming in coronary stents placed after treatment for ACS
• Reducing the risk of a first heart attack or stroke in people with coronary artery disease who are at high risk but have not had one before
• Reducing the risk of stroke in people having a stroke caused by a blocked blood vessel or a transient ischemic attack (TIA)

Benefits of Brilinta Tablet

• Clot Prevention: Reduces platelet aggregation and formation of harmful blood clots
• Heart Attack Prevention: Helps reduce cardiovascular events in appropriate patients with acute coronary syndrome or previous myocardial infarction
• Stent Protection: Helps reduce the risk of stent thrombosis after certain coronary interventions
• Stroke Prevention: Used in selected patients with acute ischemic stroke or high-risk TIA

How Brilinta Tablet works

Brilinta attaches to a receptor on platelets (blood cells that help clotting) called the P2Y12 ADP-receptor. By blocking this receptor, it stops platelets from being activated and sticking together, which lowers the chance of a harmful clot forming in an artery or stent.

Brilinta Tablet dosage

Brilinta can be taken with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole. Take your doses at set times each day, about 12 hours apart. Take Brilinta together with a low daily dose of aspirin, not more than 100 mg a day. If you have trouble swallowing tablets, they can be crushed, mixed with water, and drunk right away; rinse the glass with more water and drink that too to get the full dose. If you miss a dose, take your next dose at its scheduled time; do not take two doses at once to make up for a missed one. Do not stop taking Brilinta without talking to your doctor first.

Available forms and strengths

• Film-coated tablet (60 mg)
• Film-coated tablet (90 mg)

Side effects of Brilinta Tablet

Common

• Shortness of breath
• Bruising more easily than usual
• Nosebleeds
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Diarrhea or digestive disturbances
• Constipation
• Rash, stinging, or itching
• Bleeding gums

Serious

• Major or fatal bleeding, including internal bleeding or blood in stool/urine
• Bleeding inside the brain or skull, which can cause stroke-like symptoms
• Abnormally slow heart rate (bradycardia), which may cause fainting
• Severe allergic reaction, including swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat and trouble breathing
• Signs of a blood clotting problem called thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), such as fever, purplish skin spots, yellowing of skin or eyes, and confusion

Warnings and precautions

• Brilinta, like other antiplatelet medicines, can cause serious bleeding that is sometimes fatal.
• Do not use Brilinta if you have active abnormal bleeding or a history of bleeding inside the brain.
• Brilinta should not be started in people who are about to have emergency heart bypass surgery (CABG).
• If bleeding happens, it should usually be managed without stopping Brilinta, because stopping the drug raises the risk of heart problems.
• Taking more than 100 mg of aspirin a day with Brilinta can make Brilinta less effective, so this should be avoided.
• Stopping Brilinta on your own increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death; always talk to your doctor before stopping.
• People with a history of slow heart rate problems not protected by a pacemaker may be at higher risk of dangerously slow heart rhythms with Brilinta.
• It isn't known for certain whether Brilinta is safe during pregnancy. Animal studies showed harm to the fetus, so Brilinta should only be used in pregnancy if your doctor decides the benefit outweighs the possible risk.
• It isn't known if Brilinta passes into breast milk in humans. You and your doctor should decide together whether you will take Brilinta or breastfeed, as both at the same time is not recommended without medical advice.
• No dose change is needed for people with kidney problems, though people on dialysis have not been studied.
• Brilinta should be avoided in people with severe liver problems because it can increase the amount of the drug in the blood.
•  Caution is needed for moderate liver impairment, but no dose change is needed for mild liver impairment.
• Avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol while taking Brilinta, since both alcohol and Brilinta can increase bleeding risk, and using them together may raise the risk of serious bleeding further.
• Brilinta usually does not affect your ability to drive or use machines, but be careful if you feel dizzy or confused while taking it.

Storage

• Store at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C)
• Keep BRILINTA and all medicines out of the reach of children
• Do not store above 30°C
• Do not use the medicine after the expiry date (exp. date) that appears on the package

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if you have severe bleeding that won't stop, pink, red, or brown urine, vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds, or black or bloody stools.
• Contact your doctor if you have new, unexpected, or severe shortness of breath, especially if it happens at rest.
• Seek urgent care if you notice sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, sudden confusion or trouble speaking, sudden trouble walking, or a sudden severe headache, as these can be signs of bleeding in the brain or a stroke.
• Tell your doctor right away if you have signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or trouble breathing or speaking.

Alternatives

• Clopidogrel
• Prasugrel
• Aspirin