What is brilinta?Brilinta (ticagrelor) helps to prevent platelets in your blood from sticking together and forming a blood clot. An unwanted blood clot can occur with certain heart or blood vessel conditions.
Brilinta is used to lower your risk of having a stroke or serious heart problems after you have had a heart attack or severe chest pain (angina).
Brilinta may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information:You should not use brilinta if you have severe liver disease, any active bleeding (including a bleeding stomach ulcer), or a history of bleeding in the brain. Do not use this medicine just before heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or cabg).
You may need to stop using brilinta for a short time before having surgery or dental work, to prevent excessive bleeding. Do not stop taking brilinta without first talking to your doctor, even if you have signs of bleeding. Stopping this medicine may increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Brilinta may cause you to bleed more easily, which can be severe or life-threatening. Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding or injury.
Call your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you have bleeding that will not stop. You may also have bleeding on the inside of your body, such as in your stomach or intestines. Call your doctor at once if you have black or bloody stools, red or pink urine, or if you cough up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds. These could be signs of bleeding in your digestive tract.
Many drugs (including some over-the-counter medicines and herbal products) can cause serious medical problems if you take them with brilinta. It is very important to tell your doctor about all medicines you have recently used.
Side effects:Major side effects:You should check with your doctor immediately if any of these side effects occur when taking ticagrelor.
More common:Difficult or labored breathing Shortness of breath Tightness in the chest.
Less common:Blurred vision Chest pain or discomfort ConfusionDizziness Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position Fainting Fast or irregular heartbeat Headache Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting Loss of consciousness Nervousness Pounding in the ears Slow or fast heartbeat Sweating Unusual tiredness or weakness
Incidence not known:Bleeding gums Bruising Coughing up blood Difficulty with breathing or swallowing Headache, sudden and severe Increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding Nausea or vomiting Nosebleeds Paralysis Prolonged bleeding from cuts Red or black, tarry stools Red or dark brown urine Weakness.
Minor side effects:Some of the side effects that can occur with ticagrelor may not need medical attention. As your body adjusts to the medicine during treatment these side effects may go away. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you about ways to reduce or prevent some of these side effects. If any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome or if you have any questions about them, check with your health care professional.
Less common:Back pain Cough Diarrhea.
Rare:Swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males.