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

Quick overview

Effient Tablet contains prasugrel, a P2Y12 platelet inhibitor used after a heart attack or chest pain treated with a stenting procedure (PCI). It works by stopping platelets from sticking together, lowering the chance of clots forming in arteries or stents. Effient is taken once daily along with aspirin, exactly as prescribed by a doctor. It carries a risk of serious bleeding, so it requires careful medical supervision.

What is Effient Tablet

Effient is a prescription antiplatelet medicine from the thienopyridine class. It helps prevent platelets from sticking together and forming blood clots that could block an artery or a stent.

Effient Tablet uses

• Patients with unstable angina or non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) who are to be managed with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)
• Patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) when managed with either primary or delayed PCI
• Used to lower the chance of having another heart attack, a stroke, blood clots in a stent, or death after a heart attack or chest pain treated with angioplasty

Benefits of Effient Tablet

• Reduces the rate of thrombotic cardiovascular events, including stent thrombosis, compared to clopidogrel
• Reduces a combined outcome of cardiovascular death, nonfatal heart attack, or nonfatal stroke compared to clopidogrel, driven mainly by fewer heart attacks
• Reduced stent clotting (stent thrombosis) compared to clopidogrel in clinical studies

How Effient Tablet works

Effient blocks a receptor on platelets (called P2Y12) that is needed for platelets to activate and stick together, which lowers the chance of blood clots forming in arteries or stents.

Effient Tablet dosage

Take Effient exactly as prescribed by your doctor, one time each day. It can be taken with or without food. Do not split or break the tablets. Take Effient along with aspirin as instructed by your doctor.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember; if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular schedule—do not take two doses at once unless told to by your doctor.

Do not stop taking Effient without first talking to the doctor who prescribed it, because stopping early can increase the risk of a blood clot in a stent, heart attack, or death. Tell all doctors and dentists you are taking Effient before any surgery or invasive procedure is scheduled.

Available forms and strengths

• 5 mg tablets
• 10 mg tablets

Side effects of Effient Tablet

Common

• Increased tendency for bleeding, bruising more easily, and nosebleeds
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Back pain
• Minor or non-cardiac chest pain
• Tired feeling or fatigue
• Nausea
• Cough
• High or low blood pressure (hypertension or hypotension)
• Shortness of breath
• Slow heart rate (bradycardia)
• Rash
• Fever
• Swelling or pain in the arms or legs
• Diarrhea

Serious

• Significant, sometimes fatal, bleeding including intracranial hemorrhage
• Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a rare but serious blood clotting disorder
• Serious allergic reactions including anaphylaxis and angioedema (swelling of face, lips, mouth, or throat)
• Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) symptoms such as sudden slurred speech, weakness or numbness, blurry vision, or severe headache
• Stent thrombosis, heart attack, or death if Effient is stopped prematurely

Warnings and precautions

• Effient can cause serious, sometimes fatal, bleeding. Do not use it if you have active bleeding or a history of stroke or TIA.
• People 75 or older generally should not use Effient because of a higher risk of fatal and brain bleeding, unless they are at high risk from diabetes or a prior heart attack.
• Do not start Effient if urgent heart bypass surgery (CABG) is likely, and stop it at least 7 days before any planned surgery if possible, since it raises bleeding risk during and after surgery.
• Added risk factors for bleeding include weighing less than 60 kg (about 132 pounds), a tendency to bleed, and taking other medicines that raise bleeding risk.
• Stopping Effient early, especially soon after a heart attack or unstable angina, raises the risk of further heart problems, so it should not be stopped without talking to your doctor.
• A rare but serious blood clotting disorder called TTP has been reported with Effient, sometimes within two weeks of starting it, and needs urgent hospital treatment.
• Serious allergic reactions, including swelling (angioedema), have occurred with Effient, including in people who reacted to similar medicines before.
• There is no well-controlled research on Effient use in pregnant women. Animal studies did not show harm to the fetus, but Effient should only be used in pregnancy if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk.
• It isn't known if Effient passes into human breast milk. Talk with your doctor about whether to take Effient or breastfeed, since both should not be done without medical guidance.
• No dose change is needed for most patients with kidney problems, but patients with moderate to severe kidney impairment have a higher risk of bleeding, and there is limited experience in people with very severe kidney disease.
• No dose change is needed for mild to moderate liver problems. Effient has not been studied in people with severe liver disease, who generally have a higher risk of bleeding.
• Alcohol may increase bleeding risk, particularly with heavy use.
• Effient usually does not directly impair driving, but avoid driving if dizziness, weakness, or bleeding-related symptoms occur.

Storage

• Keep Effient at room temperature between 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C)
• Keep and dispense only in original container
• Keep the container closed tightly with the gray cylinder (desiccant) inside
• Protect Effient from moisture
• Keep Effient and all medicines out of the reach of children

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if you think you are having a stroke or TIA, such as sudden slurred speech, weakness or numbness on one side, sudden blurry vision, or a sudden severe headache.
• Call your doctor right away if you notice signs of bleeding, such as bleeding that won't stop, pink or brown urine, black or red stool, unexplained bruises, or coughing up or vomiting blood.
• Get medical help right away if you notice symptoms of TTP, such as purple skin patches, yellowing skin or eyes, fatigue, fever, fast heart rate, confusion, or reduced or bloody urine, that can't be explained by another condition.
• Get medical help right away if you have signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, mouth, or throat, trouble breathing or swallowing, chest pain, or dizziness or fainting.
• Contact your doctor right away if you fall or injure yourself, especially if you hit your head, since you may need to be checked for bleeding.

Alternatives

• Ticagrelor
• Clopidogrel