Brilinta (ticagrelor)

AstraZeneca
Brilinta belongs to a class of medications known as antiplatelet drugs. Platelets are small fragments in the blood that cluster together in a process called thrombosis (blood clotting). Blood clotting is an important process in repairing damaged blood vessels and reducing blood loss from damaged areas. If the lining of a blood vessel is damaged, platelets and clotting proteins clump together at the site of injury to form a plug. In some cases, however, these blood clots form in blood vessels when they are not needed and as a consequence restrict blood flow, which may result in heart attack or stroke. Antiplatelet medications, such as Brilinta, function to prevent the formation of these unnecessary blood clots in individuals with acute coronary syndrome (heart attack or unstable angina), therefore reducing the risk of adverse cardiac events.

Before Taking Brilinta

Before taking Brilinta, it is important to tell your doctor if:
  • You are currently taking any other medications, including prescription and non-prescription medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements, as some medications may interact with Brilinta.
  • You have an increased risk of bleeding due to:
    - a recent serious injury
    - recent surgery (including dental surgery)
    - recent bleeding from your stomach (ie from stomach ulcer)
  • You are scheduled to have surgery (including dental surgery) while taking Brilinta. Your doctor may want you to discontinue Brilinta for a short time to reduce the risk of bleeding.
  • You are taking drugs to reduce heart rate or if you have a condition that puts you at risk of having episodes of slow heart rate.
  • You are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
Dosage and Forms

Brilinta is available as film-coated tablets containing 90mg of ticagrelor. The usual dose of Brilinta is one 90mg tablet taken orally twice daily; once in the morning and once in the evening. Brilinta may be taken with or without food.

Patients taking Brilinta should also take acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) daily, unless otherwise directed by a physician.

Warnings and Precautions

Brilinta should not be used if:
    - You are allergic (hypersensitive) to ticagrelor or any of the ingredients of Brilinta
    - You have problems with bleeding, such as bleeding in your stomach or gut from an ulcer.
    - You have moderate to severe liver disease.
    - You have had a stroke caused by bleeding in the brain.
    - You are taking medications known as strong CYP3A4 inhibitors. This includes: ketoconazole, clarithromycin, nefazodone, ritonavir and atazanavir.
The safety and efficacy of Byetta in individuals younger than 18 years of age has not been studied.

Side Effects

The most common side effects of Brilinta include:
  • Headache
  • Feeling dizzy
  • Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea or indigestion
  • Increased bleeding (ie nosebleeds)
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Itching
  • Cough
  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
Talk to your doctor if you experience these or any other side effects while taking Brilinta.

Ingredients

Active Ingredient: Ticagrelor

Inactive ingredients: Dibasic calcium phosphate, ferric oxide yellow, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, mannitol, polyethylene glycol 400, sodium starch glycolate, talc and titanium dioxide.

Storage

Store Brilinta between 2-30˚C.