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Compare Brilinta vs. Plavix

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Brilinta (ticagrelor) and Plavix (clopidogrel) are both blood thinners used to prevent heart attacks and strokes, but they have some key differences. Both Brilinta (ticagrelor) and Plavix (clopidogrel) are P2Y12 inhibitors, but Brilinta needs to be taken twice a day, while Plavix is taken once daily. Brilinta (ticagrelor) is known to work better than Plavix (clopidogrel) in preventing heart attacks and strokes for up to one year after a heart attack if you have plaque buildup in your blood vessels, but it also has a higher risk of causing serious bleeding. Plavix (clopidogrel) is available as a lower-cost generic, whereas Brilinta (ticagrelor) does not have a generic form at this time. Additionally, Brilinta (ticagrelor) can cause shortness of breath and should not be used if you have severe liver problems or a history of brain bleeds. On the other hand, Plavix (clopidogrel) has many interactions with other medications and might not work as well for people with certain genetic factors or those of East Asian descent. Both medications require careful monitoring for bleeding and should not be stopped suddenly without consulting your healthcare provider.

drug combination

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  • Brilinta (ticagrelor)
    Clopidogrel (Plavix)
  • Brilinta (ticagrelor)
    Clopidogrel (Plavix)

  • Summary of Brilinta vs. Plavix

    Summary for Antiplatelet
    Prescription only

    Brilinta (ticagrelor) is an antiplatelet blood thinner used to lower the risk of heart-related death, heart attack, or stroke in people with certain heart conditions. It comes as a tablet that's taken by mouth twice per day. It's a brand-name medication only, so a generic version isn't available. Side effects include shortness of breath, bleeding, and nausea.

    Summary for P2Y12 inhibitor
    Prescription only

    Clopidogrel (also known by its brand name, Plavix) is a medication that's used to prevent heart attack and stroke in certain people who are at higher risk for those events. It comes as a tablet taken by mouth once per day and is also available as a generic medication. Since it's a blood thinner, possible side effects include bleeding and bruising, especially if you take medications that interact with clopidogrel (Plavix) like certain antidepressants, anticoagulants, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

  • Indications of Brilinta vs. Plavix

    Indications for
    •Lowering the risk of heart-related death, heart attack, and stroke in people with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or who've had a previous heart attack
    •Lowering the risk of a first-time heart attack or stroke in high-risk people with coronary artery disease (CAD)
    •Lowering the risk of stroke in people who've had a previous stroke or a high-risk transient ischemic attack (TIA) (also called "mini stroke")
    Indications for

    For people with a history of a heart attack, stroke, or peripheral artery disease:

    •Heart attack prevention
    •Stroke prevention

  • Pros and Cons of Brilinta vs. Plavix

    Pros and Const for Antiplatelet
    Pros
    •Good choice for lowering the risk of heart-related death, heart attack, or stroke in people with certain heart-related problems
    •Can be taken with other blood thinners, if necessary
    •Can be taken with or without food
    •Tablets can be crushed and mixed with water for people who have trouble swallowing
    Cons
    •Must be taken twice a day
    •Might have to be taken with a daily aspirin
    •Can cause serious bleeding
    •Not safe for people with severe liver problems
    Pros and Const for P2Y12 inhibitor
    Pros
    •Works well to lower your risk of having a heart attack or stroke
    •Only taken once a day by mouth
    •Available as a lower-cost, generic form
    Cons
    •Can cause major bleeding or bruising
    •Has many interactions with other medications
    •Might not work as well for people with East Asian descent

  • Common Side Effects of Brilinta vs. Plavix

    Common Side Effects for
    •Shortness of breath (14%)
    •Bleeding (12%)
    •Dizziness (5%)
    •Nausea (4%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Minor bleeding (5%)
    •Major bleeding (4%)

  • Warnings of Brilinta vs. Plavix

    Common Side Effects for
    •Bleeding
    •Risk of heart attack if stopped suddenly or too early
    •Shortness of breath
    •Slow heart rate
    •Sleep apnea
    Common Side Effects for
    •Clopidogrel (Plavix) not working as well
    •Bleeding
    •Risk of heart attack or stroke if stopped suddenly
    •Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)
    •Allergic reaction

  • Prices with our coupons for Brilinta vs. Plavix

    Learn more about Brilinta
    Learn more about Clopidogrel

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