Brilinta

Ticagrelor, also known and sold under the trade name of Brilinta, is a product which belongs to a group of drugs known as antiplatelet drugs, which keeps blood flow smoothly through the blood vessels. 

This medication is used in order to decrease the risk and prevent strokes and heart attacks, especially in people with heart problems (e.g. unstable angina, or a previous heart attack). It is usually used in a combination with a low dose of aspirin. 

It is considered to work by blocking platelets from sticking together and preventing them from forming harmful clots. This medication is available in the form of a tablet.

Before using Brilinta, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. This is a decision that you and your doctor, together, will have to make.

During the consultations, it is important to inform the doctor about:

Allergic reactions: Inform the doctor about any allergic reactions to any kind of medications, prescribed or not prescribed. Also, inform the healthcare professional about any allergic reactions to any specific kind of food, dye, fabric and etc.

Pediatric: There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used in pediatric patients. This medication is not recommended to be used in pediatric patients. However, it could be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.

Geriatric: Proper studies done have confirmed that there are no age-related risks and side effects when this medication is used in geriatric patients. However, because of the increased sensitivity in geriatric patients, this medication has to be used with extra caution during the treatment. 

Pregnancy: Inform the doctor if you are currently pregnant or have any plans about pregnancy in the near future. There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used during pregnancy.

It is unknown if it would affect the fetus. This medication is not recommended to be used during pregnancy. However, it could be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.

Breastfeeding: Inform the doctor if you are currently breastfeeding. There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used in nursing mothers. It is unknown if it is extracted in the milk or how would it affect the infant. However, it could be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.

Drug interactions: Inform the doctor if you are currently using any other medications, prescribed or not prescribed, even vitamins and herbal tea. This is important because certain medications are not recommended to be used in a combination with others, due to the possibility that certain interactions could occur.

However, sometimes the doctor may decide to use a certain type of combination, including two or more medications, to treat your condition, if he or she considers that combination to prove as beneficial regarding your condition. 

Other interactions: Certain medications are not recommended to be used in a combination with specific kind of food, tobacco, and alcohol. Because of this, it is important to get informed if there is a need for you to follow a specific type of diet and discontinue your use of tobacco and alcohol during the treatment with this medication.

For example, avowing eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice during the treatment. Grapefruit can increase the risk of side effects.

Other medical problems: Inform the doctor about your medical history, any other medical problems and conditions from the past or at the moment. Especially, inform the doctor if there are any of the following conditions present – bleeding, bleeding problems, intracranial hemorrhage, liver disease, or lung disease.

To use Brilinta properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor. This medication is available in the form of a tablet, for oral use. Swallow the tablet whole, with or without food, as directed by your doctor. 

Do not break, crush or chew the tablet in your mouth. If you are experiencing a problem with swallowing, the tablet may be crushed and mixed in a glass of water. The dose is individual for every patient, prescribed by the doctor and based on your condition and the prognosis of the treatment. 

This medication is usually taken once a day. In order to get the most beneficial effects from its use, remember to take the medication regularly. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Do not double to catch up. 

This medication id harmful in case of an overdose. If an overdose is suspected, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Before using Brilinta, there are some precautions you must take. Visit your doctor regularly, at your scheduled appointments, so that he or she would be able to track your condition and make any adjustments if needed. 

These adjustments may refer to the dose – e.g. the doctor may decide to increase or decrease the dose, or to the treatment itself – the doctor may decide to discontinue the treatment, if there are any serious side effects present that would worsen your condition, or if your condition does not improve. 

Inform your doctor about any allergic reactions to any kind of medications, prescribed or not prescribed. This is important because this product may contain inactive substances that could cause certain interactions to occur. Inform the doctor if you are currently pregnant or have any plans about pregnancy in the near future. 

This medication is not recommended to be used during pregnancy, due to the lack of studies that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used during pregnancy. At least two proven forms of birth control should be used during the treatment. 

Inform the doctor if you are currently breastfeeding. This medication is not recommended to be used in nursing mothers, due to the lack of studies that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used in nursing mothers. 

This medication may cause dizziness to occur. Avoid driving and any other activities which require alertness during the treatment.

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Brilinta. These side effects do not occur within all patients, also they could be mild or more serious. 

However, it is important to get informed about the potential side effects, so that you would be able to notice their presence and inform the doctor as soon as possible.

Common side effects:

• dizziness
• nausea
• vomiting
• shortness of breath
• headache
• nosebleed might occur

These are common side effects which are not considered as serious. However, if their presence worsens or persists, inform the doctor right away.

A very serious allergic reaction to this medication is not common. However, if you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as possible – skin rash, itching/swelling of the face/tongue/hands/feet, trouble breathing, or severe dizziness.