Key takeaways:
Brilinta (ticagrelor) is an antiplatelet medication. It’s often prescribed along with low-dose aspirin to help prevent unwanted blood clots.
Brilinta side effects include minor bleeding, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Nausea and diarrhea are also possible, but they aren’t common.
More serious Brilinta side effects include severe bleeding, a slow or irregular heartbeat, and high uric acid levels. Be sure to seek emergency care for any Brilinta side effects that seem severe or life-threatening.
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Heart attacks and strokes happen to hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. each year. After having a heart attack or stroke, you’ll probably be prescribed several medications to help prevent another one. Brilinta (ticagrelor) is a common example.
Brilinta is an antiplatelet medication that’s often prescribed along with low-dose aspirin to help prevent blood clots. It’s generally well tolerated, but there are some side effects you should be aware of while taking it.
Brilinta side effects at a glance
Below, we’ve listed common and rare Brilinta side effects reported in clinical studies. Keep in mind that this isn’t a complete list. Don’t hesitate to ask your healthcare team about any side effects that appear while taking Brilinta, even if they aren’t listed below.
Common Brilinta side effects include:
Minor bleeding (including nosebleeds or light bruising)
Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
Dizziness
Nausea
Diarrhea
Rare but serious Brilinta side effects and risks include:
New or worsening sleep apnea
Slow heartbeat or heartbeat pauses
High uric acid levels
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a condition that causes blood clots in small blood vessels
Allergic reactions, including skin rash or angioedema
Brilinta also carries a couple of boxed warnings. This is the FDA’s strictest warning for medications. While rare, these side effects can be life-threatening, and include:
Increased risk of severe bleeding, which can be life-threatening in some cases
Increased risk of stroke or heart attack if you stop taking Brilinta sooner than recommended
Let’s review seven Brilinta side effects in greater detail along with what you can do to manage them.
1. Higher risk of bleeding
Minor bleeding is a common Brilinta side effect. Brilinta works by preventing platelets from forming unwanted blood clots in the body. This helps prevent heart attacks and strokes, but it also makes bleeding more likely.
Mild bleeding is usually not dangerous, as the blood loss is small and it stops on its own. Examples include:
Light bruising
Bleeding from your gums when brushing your teeth
Monthly periods that are heavier or longer-lasting than usual
Severe bleeding or bleeding that doesn’t stop can be life-threatening. Seek emergency care right away if you notice symptoms of severe bleeding, such as:
Excessive bruising or a bruise that continues to grow in size
Nosebleeds that last more than 10 minutes
Red or black, tarry stools
Blood in your urine
Bloody vomit, or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
Coughing up blood
Keep in mind that the risk of bleeding with Brilinta goes up if you also take other medications that raise your bleeding risk. This includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and some antidepressants. So be sure to review your medication list with your prescriber before starting Brilinta. This will help them identify any interactions before they occur.
2. Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath is another possible Brilinta side effect. It can be unsettling to feel as though you can’t catch your breath. But this side effect is typically mild and tends to get better the longer you take the medication.
If you’re taking Brilinta and experience shortness of breath that doesn’t get better or becomes worse at any point, let your prescriber know. They may suggest switching to a different antiplatelet medication if breathing issues become too bothersome.
If you experience trouble breathing along with chest pain and dizziness, seek emergency care right away. These can be symptoms of a more serious issue, such as a blood clot in the lungs.
3. Dizziness
Dizziness isn’t common with Brilinta, but it may happen to some people taking it. If you experience dizziness, be careful when changing positions from sitting to standing. Stand up slowly and hold on to a sturdy surface to help prevent falling.
If dizziness doesn’t improve or is excessive, let your prescriber know — it could be a sign of blood loss. Sudden dizziness that occurs along with a headache or vision changes can also be related to a more serious problem, such as a stroke. In this case, it’s best to seek emergency care.
4. Nausea
Nausea is a common side effect of many medications. It doesn’t happen often while taking Brilinta, but it’s possible. If you feel nauseated after taking your dose, try taking Brilinta with food.
Severe nausea isn’t likely with Brilinta. So let your healthcare team know if that’s something you experience. They can help identify the cause and best next steps.
5. Diarrhea
Brilinta can cause diarrhea, but thankfully it’s not a common side effect.
Be sure to stay hydrated if you experience loose stools while taking Brilinta. As with nausea, taking the medication with food may also help with diarrhea. You may want to avoid spicy or fatty foods, which can worsen diarrhea. You can also ask your prescriber or pharmacist to recommend a safe over-the-counter (OTC) anti-diarrhea medication for you, such as loperamide (Imodium A-D), if needed.
If these tips don’t help, or if your diarrhea becomes severe, contact your prescriber. Something else might be to blame for your loose stools.
6. Slow heartbeat or heartbeat pauses
Some people taking Brilinta have reported slow and irregular heartbeats. This isn’t a common side effect, but it can be serious or even life-threatening in severe cases.
If you have a history of irregular heartbeats, let your prescriber know before starting Brilinta. They may prefer to prescribe a different medication. If you experience sudden dizziness, fatigue, or feel your heart skipping beats while taking Brilinta, seek emergency care.
7. High uric acid levels
Brilinta can raise uric acid levels in the blood. This can increase your risk of gout attacks, especially if you also consume alcohol or are living with high cholesterol. The good news is that this side effect is reversible. Uric acid levels typically return to normal about a month after stopping Brilinta.
If you notice sudden pain, redness, or swelling in your joints — particularly the knee or big toe — contact your prescriber. These are common symptoms of gout. If you have a history of gout, discuss this Brilinta side effect with your prescriber before starting it. A different antiplatelet medication may be a better option for you.
Frequently asked questions
Unlike with warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), Brilinta doesn’t require you to follow a consistent diet in order for it to work safely. However, it’s best to avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice. Grapefruit can block the enzyme (protein) that helps break down Brilinta. Combining the two can raise Brilinta levels in your body and increase your risk of bleeding.
Extreme fatigue isn’t a common Brilinta side effect. But there are some rare Brilinta side effects that can lead to extreme fatigue. These include severe bleeding, a slowed or irregular heartbeat, and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). TTP is a rare disorder that causes blood clots in your small blood vessels. Talk to your prescriber if you experience extreme fatigue while taking Brilinta. But don’t stop taking Brilinta on your own, as this may increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke.
After a stent is placed, most people take Brilinta (plus aspirin) for at least 1 year to help keep blood flowing through the stent. If you’re at a high risk for bleeding, your prescriber may limit Brilinta treatment to up to 6 months. But some people may need to continue taking Brilinta for life. Don’t stop taking Brilinta without approval from your cardiologist. Stopping it too soon can raise the risk of a dangerous clot forming in the stent.
In some cases, Brilinta may cause a temporary increase in creatinine. Creatine is one marker used to measure kidney function. But the increase typically goes away on its own over time. Brilinta isn’t associated with any changes to kidney function or other kidney problems. You won’t need to adjust your Brilinta dosage if you’re living with kidney problems.
Unlike with warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), Brilinta doesn’t require you to follow a consistent diet in order for it to work safely. However, it’s best to avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice. Grapefruit can block the enzyme (protein) that helps break down Brilinta. Combining the two can raise Brilinta levels in your body and increase your risk of bleeding.
Extreme fatigue isn’t a common Brilinta side effect. But there are some rare Brilinta side effects that can lead to extreme fatigue. These include severe bleeding, a slowed or irregular heartbeat, and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). TTP is a rare disorder that causes blood clots in your small blood vessels. Talk to your prescriber if you experience extreme fatigue while taking Brilinta. But don’t stop taking Brilinta on your own, as this may increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke.
After a stent is placed, most people take Brilinta (plus aspirin) for at least 1 year to help keep blood flowing through the stent. If you’re at a high risk for bleeding, your prescriber may limit Brilinta treatment to up to 6 months. But some people may need to continue taking Brilinta for life. Don’t stop taking Brilinta without approval from your cardiologist. Stopping it too soon can raise the risk of a dangerous clot forming in the stent.
In some cases, Brilinta may cause a temporary increase in creatinine. Creatine is one marker used to measure kidney function. But the increase typically goes away on its own over time. Brilinta isn’t associated with any changes to kidney function or other kidney problems. You won’t need to adjust your Brilinta dosage if you’re living with kidney problems.
The bottom line
Brilinta (ticagrelor) is an antiplatelet medication. It’s often prescribed along with low-dose aspirin to help prevent unwanted blood clots. Common Brilinta side effects include minor bleeding, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Nausea and diarrhea are also possible.
More serious Brilinta side effects include severe bleeding, a slow or irregular heartbeat, and high uric acid levels. Be sure to seek emergency care for any Brilinta side effects that seem severe or life-threatening.
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References
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Kotaru, V., et al. (2021). Ticagrelor-induced syncope/bradyarrhythmia. Cureus.
Liu, H., et al. (2025). Ticagrelor and the risk of in-hospital gout. International Heart Journal.
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