7 Brilinta (Ticagrelor) Side Effects You Should Know About
Brilinta can cause nausea, dizziness, and more. Learn about Brilinta side effects and when you may need to see a healthcare professional.
ticagrelor
Used for Heart Attack
Used for Heart Attack
Ticagrelor (Brilinta) is a type of a blood thinner called an antiplatelet. It's used to lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart-related death in adults with certain conditions, including a history of heart stents. It comes as a tablet that's taken by mouth twice per day, often with low-dose aspirin. Common side effects include shortness of breath and bleeding.
What is Ticagrelor (Brilinta)?
What is Ticagrelor (Brilinta) used for?
- Lower the risk of heart-related death, heart attack, and stroke in people with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or a previous heart attack
- Lower the risk of a first heart attack or stroke in people with coronary artery disease (CAD) at high-risk
- Lower the risk of stroke in people who are having a stroke or a high-risk transient ischemic attack (TIA), also called "mini stroke"
How Ticagrelor (Brilinta) works
Ticagrelor (Brilinta) is a type of antiplatelet called a P2Y12 inhibitor. It works by preventing blood cells called platelets from sticking together and forming harmful blood clots. This helps lower your risk of a heart attack or stroke.
When does Ticagrelor (Brilinta) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Brilinta |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Antiplatelet |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
More on Ticagrelor (Brilinta) essentials
Side effects of Ticagrelor (Brilinta)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Bleeding
- Shortness of breath
Less Common Side Effects
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
Ticagrelor (Brilinta) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious bleeding: bleeding that doesn't stop, blood in the urine, vomiting or coughing up blood, bloody or black stools, severe bruising, severe headache
- Slow or irregular heartbeat: dizziness, fainting, tiredness, chest discomfort, shortness of breath
- Severe shortness of breath: trouble breathing at rest, chest tightness
When do Ticagrelor (Brilinta) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
M
H
D
W
M
Shortness of breath
Risk for minor bleeds (e.g., nosebleed)
Risk for major bleeds
Seek immediate medical care if you experience this side effect.
If a line continues to the right, you'll likely keep experiencing this side effect once it starts.
More on Ticagrelor (Brilinta) side effects
The following Ticagrelor (Brilinta) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Back pain
bleeding gums
blurred vision
chest pain, tightness, or discomfort
confusion
coughing up blood
difficult or trouble breathing
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
headache
increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
loss of consciousness
nausea or vomiting
nervousness
nosebleeds
paralysis
pounding in the ears
prolonged bleeding from cuts
red or black, tarry stools
red or dark brown urine
sweating
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
Rare
Change in mental status
difficulty in speaking
pale skin
pinpoint red spots on the skin
seizures
yellow eyes or skin
Incidence not known
Difficulty with swallowing
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
rash
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$282.03
GoodRx discount
$24.99
Pros and cons of Ticagrelor (Brilinta)
Pros
- Helps prevent heart attacks and strokes
- Doesn't require routine blood tests to monitor how well it works
- Can be taken with or without food
- Tablet can be crushed for people with trouble swallowing
Cons
- Must be taken twice a day
- Can cause serious bleeding
- Not safe for people with severe liver problems
- Interacts with several medications
Pharmacist tips for Ticagrelor (Brilinta)
- You can take ticagrelor (Brilinta) with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, try taking it with food to help lower nausea.
- If you have trouble swallowing ticagrelor (Brilinta), you can crush the tablet. Mix the crushed tablet with water and drink it right away, then rinse the cup with more water and drink it to make sure you get the full dose.
- Take ticagrelor (Brilinta) twice a day at the same times every day. If you miss a dose, skip it and take your next dose at the usual time. Don't take 2 doses at the same time.
- Shortness of breath is a common side effect of ticagrelor (Brilinta). It's usually mild and often gets better on its own. But get medical help if you have trouble breathing along with dizziness, lightheadedness, or a fast heartbeat.
- Ticagrelor (Brilinta) can make you bruise or bleed more easily. Get medical help right away if you vomit or cough up blood, have blood in your stool, or feel very dizzy or lightheaded. These are signs of bleeding that might be happening inside your body.
- Get medical help right away if you fall and hit your head while taking ticagrelor (Brilinta). Even if you feel fine, there's a small risk of bleeding in your brain.
- Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking ticagrelor (Brilinta). They can raise the amount of medication in your body and increase your risk of side effects.
- Ticagrelor (Brilinta) interacts with many medications, such as ibuprofen, opioid pain medications, and certain statins. Tell your care team about all of the medications and supplements that you're taking or plan to take during treatment.
- Only take ticagrelor (Brilinta) with low-dose aspirin (75 mg to 100 mg) if your prescriber tells you to. Taking more than 100 mg of aspirin each day can make ticagrelor (Brilinta) work less well if you have a history of heart attack.
- Ask your surgeon or dentist if you need to stop ticagrelor (Brilinta) before surgery or a medical procedure. Some people need to stop it about 5 days beforehand to lower the risk of bleeding.
- Don't stop ticagrelor (Brilinta) unless your prescriber tells you to. Stopping it too soon can raise your risk of blood clots, heart attack, or stroke.
Risks and warnings for Ticagrelor (Brilinta)
Ticagrelor (Brilinta) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Bleeding
- Risk factors: Taking other medications that raise the risk for bleeding (e.g., antiplatelets, anticoagulants, NSAIDs, corticosteroids)| Bleeding problems | Recent or upcoming surgery
Ticagrelor (Brilinta) is a blood thinner, so it can raise your risk of bleeding and make it take longer for bleeding to stop. You might also bruise more easily or bleed longer after a cut or nosebleed.
Tell your prescriber if you take other medications that can cause bleeding. Also let them know if you're planning to have surgery or a medical procedure because you might need to stop ticagrelor (Brilinta) 5 or more days beforehand.
Tell your care team right away if you notice any unusual bleeding, blood in your urine or stool, cough up blood, have black or tarry stools, or feel dizzy. Get medical help right away if you have a fall, hit your head, or have another serious injury because you could have bleeding inside your body.
Higher risk of blood clots from stopping too early
- Risk factors: Stopping ticagrelor (Brilinta) too early
Don't stop taking ticagrelor (Brilinta) unless your prescriber tells you it's safe. Stopping it too soon can raise your risk of blood clots, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. If you want to stop taking ticagrelor (Brilinta) talk to your prescriber first so they can help you do it safely.
Shortness of breath
Ticagrelor (Brilinta) can cause mild to moderate shortness of breath. This side effect often gets better as you continue taking the medication. Talk to your care team if it doesn't go away or becomes bothersome. Get medical help right away if you have trouble breathing along with chest pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, or a fast heartbeat.
Slow heart rate
Risk factors: History of irregular heart rhythms | Conditions that cause very slow heart rate
Ticagrelor (Brilinta) can rarely cause your heart to beat too slowly or affect your heart's normal rhythm. Your risk might be higher if you already have certain heart rhythm problems and don't have a pacemaker. Tell your prescriber right away if you feel faint, dizzy, or notice a very slow or irregular heartbeat.
Sleep apnea
Ticagrelor (Brilinta) has been linked to sleep apnea, a condition where breathing stops for short periods of time during sleep. Tell your prescriber if you or your partner notice loud snoring, pauses in your breathing during sleep, gasping for air, or unusual daytime sleepiness.
Ticagrelor (Brilinta) dosage
The average cost for 60 tablets of 90mg of Ticagrelor (Brilinta) is $24.99 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 91.14% off the average retail price of $282.03. 
Tablet
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90mg | 60 tablets | $24.99 | $0.42 |
Typical dosage for Ticagrelor (Brilinta)
- Lower the risk of heart-related death, heart attack, and stroke in people with ACS or a previous heart attack: The typical dose is a single dose of 180 mg by mouth on Day 1, then 90 mg by mouth two times a day for the first year. After the first year, the dose is 60 mg by mouth two times a day.
- Lower the risk of a first-time heart attack or stroke in people with CAD at high risk: The typical dose is 60 mg by mouth two times a day.
- Lower the risk of stroke in people who are having a stroke or a high-risk TIA: The typical dose is a single dose of 180 mg by mouth on Day 1, then 90 mg by mouth two times a day for up to 30 days.
More on Ticagrelor (Brilinta) dosage
Interactions between Ticagrelor (Brilinta) and other drugs
Ticagrelor (Brilinta) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Ticagrelor (Brilinta). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
More on Ticagrelor (Brilinta) interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Defibrotide
- Itraconazole
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Abametapir
- Abciximab
- Aceclofenac
- Acemetacin
- Alipogene Tiparvovec
- Amiodarone
- Amtolmetin Guacil
- Anagrelide
- Apalutamide
- Apixaban
- Argatroban
- Aspirin
- Atazanavir
- Betrixaban
- Bivalirudin
- Bromfenac
- Bufexamac
- Caplacizumab-yhdp
- Carbamazepine
- Celecoxib
- Ceritinib
- Choline Salicylate
- Cilostazol
- Citalopram
- Clarithromycin
- Clonixin
- Clopidogrel
- Cobicistat
- Dabigatran Etexilate
- Danaparoid
- Desirudin
- Desvenlafaxine
- Dexibuprofen
- Dexketoprofen
- Diclofenac
- Diflunisal
- Dipyridamole
- Dipyrone
- Domperidone
- Doxorubicin
- Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome
- Droxicam
- Duvelisib
- Edoxaban
- Eliglustat
- Enzalutamide
- Eptifibatide
- Escitalopram
- Etodolac
- Etofenamate
- Etoricoxib
- Felbinac
- Fenoprofen
- Fepradinol
- Feprazone
- Floctafenine
- Fluconazole
- Flufenamic Acid
- Fluoxetine
- Flurbiprofen
- Fluvoxamine
- Fondaparinux
- Fosnetupitant
- Fosphenytoin
- Heparin
- Ibrutinib
- Ibuprofen
- Idelalisib
- Ifosfamide
- Indinavir
- Indomethacin
- Inotersen
- Ivosidenib
- Ketoconazole
- Ketoprofen
- Ketorolac
- Larotrectinib
- Lefamulin
- Lepirudin
- Levomilnacipran
- Lorlatinib
- Lornoxicam
- Loxoprofen
- Lumacaftor
- Lumiracoxib
- Meclofenamate
- Mefenamic Acid
- Meloxicam
- Mitotane
- Morniflumate
- Morphine
- Morphine Sulfate Liposome
- Nabumetone
- Naloxegol
- Naproxen
- Nefazodone
- Nelfinavir
- Nepafenac
- Netupitant
- Niflumic Acid
- Nilotinib
- Nimesulide
- Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
- Olaparib
- Oxaprozin
- Oxyphenbutazone
- Parecoxib
- Paroxetine
- Phenindione
- Phenobarbital
- Phenprocoumon
- Phenylbutazone
- Phenytoin
- Piketoprofen
- Piperaquine
- Piracetam
- Piroxicam
- Pixantrone
- Prasugrel
- Proglumetacin
- Propyphenazone
- Proquazone
- Protein C
- Rifampin
- Ritonavir
- Rivaroxaban
- Rofecoxib
- Salicylic Acid
- Salsalate
- Saquinavir
- Selumetinib
- Sertraline
- Simeprevir
- Sodium Salicylate
- St John's Wort
- Sulfinpyrazone
- Sulindac
- Telithromycin
- Tenoxicam
- Tiaprofenic Acid
- Ticlopidine
- Tirofiban
- Tolfenamic Acid
- Tolmetin
- Trazodone
- Treprostinil
- Valdecoxib
- Vilazodone
- Vorapaxar
- Voriconazole
- Vortioxetine
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
How much does Ticagrelor (Brilinta) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Ticagrelor (Brilinta) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Ticagrelor (Brilinta) will not be safe for you to take.
- History of brain bleed
- Active bleeding
What are alternatives to Ticagrelor (Brilinta)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Ticagrelor (Brilinta). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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Ticagrelor (Brilinta) images
