Brilinta
From Pharmacy Drug Guide
Brilinta (ticagrelor) is a prescription medication developed by AstraZeneca to treat patients who have had a heart attack or major chest pain. It is typically prescribed with 81 mg of aspirin to thin the blood and prevent future heart attack.[1]
Brilinta is in a class of drugs called platelet aggregation inhibitors, which means that it functions by stopping the formation of new blood clots, allowing the flow of blood through the heart and reducing the risk of additional cardiovascular events. The FDA approved Brilinta on July 20, 2011[2] Brilinta competes with Plavix, the world's second most widely-sold drug.[3]
 Brilinta | |
| Brand name for | Ticagrelor.[1] |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | AstraZeneca[1] |
| Generic available? | No |
| Uses | With aspirin, Lowers the chances for heart attacks and death in patients with acute coronary syndrome.[4] |
| Common side effects | Bleeding and nausea, headache, coughing, pain in the chest, tiredness.[4] |
| Major side effects | Severe bleeding.[4] |
| Warnings | Brilinta can cause severe bleeding[4] |
| Disclaimer | The information provided by PharmacyDrugGuide.com is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Do not take any action based on the information on this page without consulting a physician. |
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Brilinta Overview
Brilinta is a blood thinner, and can help patients who are at increased risk of heart attack or fatality from other cardiovascular issues.[2] Treatment with Brilinta typically begins with a dose of 180 milligrams, split into two tablets of 90 milligrams each. Then patients usually take one 90-milligram tablet two times each day. Most patients also take aspirin, with a first dose of 325 milligrams and then 75 to 100 milligrams every day thereafter.[5]
Brilinta vs. Plavix
AstraZeneca advertises the effectiveness of Brilinta compared to its prime competitor, Plavix. The FDA stated that research found Brilinta to work better than Plavix in preventing heart attacks and death, but only when taken with 75 to 100 milligrams of aspirin per day. Taking more than 100 milligrams of aspirin a day actually decreases Brilinta's effectiveness.[2]
Prescription Drugs
Brilinta Side Effects
Brilinta can cause significant, sometimes fatal bleeding. The manufacturer recommends that Brilinta not be used by patients with a history of intercranial hemorrhage, active pathological bleeding, or severe liver impairment.[5] Brilinta can also cause dyspnea (shortness of breath). Other adverse effects in the preliminary studies included headache, cough, dizziness, nausea, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, non-cardiac chest pain, diarrhea, back pain, hypotension (low blood pressure), and fatigue.[4]
Brilinta is not for patients planning to undergo coronary artery bypass graft surgery. It should not be used for five days prior to any type of surgery to avoid excessive blood loss.
Brilinta can increase the risk of statin-induced side effects among patients using more than 40 mg of simvastatin (Zocor) or lovastatin (Advicor).
Also See: Plavix, Plavix Coupons, Plavix Free Samples, Plavix Patient Assistance Programs, Crestor Coupons, Liptor
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References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 http://www.brilinta.com/
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm263964.htm
- ↑ http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/04/astrazeneca-brilinta-idUSLDE71307L20110204
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 http://www.brilintatouchpoints.com/
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 http://www1.astrazeneca-us.com/pi/brilinta.pdf
