Brilinta contains the active ingredient ticagrelor, which belongs to a group of medicines known as antiplatelet medicines. It is used in combination with low-dose aspirin in adults to help prevent blood clots and reduce the risk of life-threatening complications caused by blood clots. This includes stroke, heart attack, and heart or blood vessel problems. Brilinta is prescribed to patients who have:

  — Angina

  — Had a heart attack a year ago and are at risk of developing a heart attack or stroke

  — Coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus

Brilinta is an antiplatelet agent. Platelets are cell fragments in the blood that form clots and stop bleeding. Ticagrelor helps prevent clumping and the risk of forming blood clots.    

Brilinta is for oral use only. You may take it before or after consuming food. Brilinta tablets can be crushed to a fine powder, poured into half a glass of water, and drunk immediately for patients who cannot swallow the tablet. The glass should be rinsed with a half glass of water to ensure the contents are drunk. The usual dose for adults is 90 mg. If you had a recent heart attack or angina, a doctor would give you two 90 mg tablets as your first dose. After the first dose, the usual dose is one 90 mg tablet twice daily. After a year, your doctor may continue your treatment with a lower dose of Ticagrelor. 

Brilinta 90 mg should not be used in patients with:

  — Hypersensitivity to ticagrelor or any of the ingredients in the medicine.

  — Severe hepatic impairment

  — History of intracranial haemorrhage

  — Taking antidepressants, antiretroviral agents, medicines to treat fungal infections, and bacterial infections.

To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, please speak to your doctor before taking Brilinta 90 mg. Talk about any health conditions you may have, including if you have:

  — An increased risk of bleeding

  — Stroke in the past

  — History of a slow heartbeat

  — History of gout

  — Kidney problems

  — History of gout

  — History of asthma or breathing problems

  — History of slow heartbeat

  — Taking medications that slow your heartbeat

Do not discontinue treatment without speaking to your doctor. If you stop taking the medication, blood clots may form and cause a   heart attack, stroke, or other serious health complications. This can also be life-threatening,  

The following medications may interact with Brilinta:

• High dose aspirin
• Blood thinners such as warfarin
• Rifampin, a medicine used for bacterial infections
• Cyclosporine suppresses the immune system
• Dexamethasone relieves inflammation and treats other conditions
• Medicines to prevent epilepsy and seizures
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) include ibuprofen, naproxen, and celecoxib.
• Digoxin to treat various heart conditions
• Cholesterol-lowering drugs such as lovastatin or simvastatin
• Morphine to relieve pain

The most common side effects of Brilinta are itching, a tingling feeling, headache, inflamed stomach lining, fatigue, muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, anxiety, sore throat, cough, bleeding gums, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, constipation or indigestion. Tell your doctor if you have troublesome symptoms not listed here or become bad enough to interfere with your daily activities.