Brilinta® Tablets for Acute Coronary Syndrome

Ticagrelor is a prescription antiplatelet medicine for adults at risk of blood clots after a heart attack or stent. It helps prevent platelets from sticking together, lowering the chance of another event. This page explains how it works, who may benefit, and how to use it safely.

What Brilinta Is and How It Works

Brilinta® contains ticagrelor, a reversible P2Y12 receptor inhibitor. Ticagrelor blocks ADP-mediated platelet activation, reducing clot formation when used with low-dose aspirin. You get US delivery from Canada, helping you compare options even without insurance.

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This medicine is taken by mouth and is often started soon after an acute coronary syndrome event. It can be continued to lower future risk under a clinician’s guidance. Refer to the official label for complete, up-to-date directions and safety details.

Who It’s For

This treatment is indicated to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke in adults with acute coronary syndrome or a history of myocardial infarction. It is used in combination with aspirin, unless aspirin is contraindicated.

The brand name for ticagrelor is Brilinta. People with active pathological bleeding or a history of intracranial hemorrhage should not use it. Severe hepatic impairment is a contraindication. Discuss your cardiac history, bleeding risks, planned surgeries, and other medicines before starting therapy. Learn more about the condition context in our overview of Coronary Artery Disease and the category page for Heart Attack.

Dosage and Usage

Initial dosing and maintenance schedules depend on timing after an event and ongoing risk. Many patients receive a loading dose, then a twice-daily regimen with aspirin maintenance. After the first year, some may transition to a lower twice-daily amount. Follow the specific schedule provided on the prescription label.

Swallow ticagrelor tablets with or without food. If you have trouble swallowing whole tablets, review the official instructions before attempting to crush or disperse a dose. Try to take each dose at the same times daily. See our article for a high-level guide: Ticagrelor Dosage.

Use with low-dose aspirin unless directed otherwise. Avoid aspirin maintenance doses above 100 mg daily, which can reduce this medicine’s effectiveness. Always consult the full prescribing information for detailed use scenarios.

Strengths and Forms

This product is supplied as film-coated oral tablets. Common presentations include ticagrelor 90mg tablets and a lower 60 mg tablet strength. Availability can vary by pharmacy and manufacturer.

Tablet color, shape, and imprint may differ by supplier. Your packaging will list the manufacturer and lot-specific details.

Missed Dose and Timing

If you miss a dose, take the next dose at the regular time. Do not double up to make up for a missed tablet. Keeping a daily schedule or phone reminder can reduce skipped doses.

For planned procedures, your healthcare professional may advise holding the medicine before surgery to lower bleeding risk. Follow your clinician’s timing instructions for stopping and restarting therapy.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store tablets at room temperature in a dry place, away from excessive heat and moisture, and out of reach of children. Keep tablets in the original container with the label intact to identify the medicine and dosing instructions.

When you travel, carry your medication in your hand luggage, along with your prescription and a copy of your most recent medication list. Time zone changes can affect dosing windows; use alarms to maintain spacing between doses. If you use a pill organizer, refill it from the labeled bottle and keep the bottle nearby for reference.

Protect from humidity in bathrooms. Do not use tablets that are severely chipped, discolored, or otherwise damaged. Ask your pharmacist about safe disposal of unused or expired tablets.

Benefits

This antiplatelet therapy lowers the risk of clot-related events when used as directed with aspirin. It acts directly and reversibly on platelet receptors, which can allow sustained effect during consistent dosing. Oral administration and clear daily scheduling support routine use at home.

Continuing therapy as prescribed may help reduce hospitalizations for recurrent ischemic events. Many people find set reminders or pairing the dose with a daily habit helps with adherence.

Side Effects and Safety

• Bleeding or bruising: may include nosebleeds or prolonged bleeding
• Shortness of breath: often mild to moderate and may lessen over time
• Dizziness or headache: usually transient
• Nausea or diarrhea: gastrointestinal upset can occur
• Skin rash or pruritus: uncommon but reported

Serious risks include major bleeding and, rarely, intracranial hemorrhage. Rare bradyarrhythmias and ventricular pauses have been reported. The treatment may increase uric acid levels; caution is advised in those with gout. Seek urgent care for signs of severe bleeding, black stools, sudden severe headache, or fainting.

Use caution when combined with anticoagulants or other antiplatelets. If you experience new or worsening shortness of breath, contact your clinician for evaluation.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

This brilinta drug is metabolized via CYP3A4. Strong CYP3A inhibitors (for example, ketoconazole, clarithromycin) can increase exposure and should generally be avoided. Strong inducers (for example, rifampin, carbamazepine) can reduce effectiveness.

Aspirin maintenance doses above 100 mg daily can reduce the treatment’s benefit. Monitor when used with digoxin or certain statins, as levels can rise. Avoid grapefruit juice due to CYP3A effects. Discuss all prescription medicines, OTC products, and herbal supplements with your prescriber.

What to Expect Over Time

Platelet inhibition begins after the first doses and continues with consistent use. Minor bruising can occur, and some people notice brief shortness of breath early in therapy. Many tolerate the medicine well as the body adjusts. Your clinician will periodically reassess benefit and bleeding risk.

Regular follow-up supports safe, appropriate duration. Keep a medication list and share it at every appointment. If plans for surgery arise, notify your care team promptly for guidance.

Compare With Alternatives

Other P2Y12 inhibitors are used for similar indications. Clopidogrel is a widely used option with once-daily dosing, often after certain stent procedures and in selected stroke settings. Prasugrel may be chosen for some patients after percutaneous coronary intervention, depending on clinical factors and bleeding risk.

For deeper reading, see our article on clopidogrel: Clopidogrel Overview. You can also review prasugrel details in our explainer: Prasugrel Uses. Broader context is available in the Cardiovascular category.

Pricing and Access

Canadian pricing can help you compare options, with US shipping from Canada for convenience. You can check availability and request a quote for your prescription. If you are looking for a ticagrelor coupon, see current site offers on our Promotions page.

Ask your prescriber about generics and refill quantities to align with your therapy plan. We provide clear invoices for HSA or FSA records. Insurance claims, if any, are handled between you and your insurer.

Availability and Substitutions

Supply can vary by manufacturer and lot. If your usual product is unavailable, your prescriber may recommend a therapeutically equivalent alternative. When people ask for a ticagrelor other name, they usually mean the brand name used in specific markets. Substitution decisions must be approved by your prescriber.

For patients with conditions such as prior stroke, other antiplatelet choices may be considered based on risks and benefits. See background on related conditions in our category guides.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Good candidates are adults with recent acute coronary syndrome or prior myocardial infarction when antiplatelet therapy is indicated and bleeding risk is acceptable. Those with active bleeding, prior intracranial hemorrhage, or severe liver disease should not use it.

To manage ticagrelor cost per month, ask about 90-day fills, synchronized refills, and generic options if appropriate. Set refill reminders so you never miss doses. Keep follow-up appointments to reassess ongoing need and safety.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

• Treatment goals: how this medicine lowers my risk
• Duration plan: when to reassess ongoing therapy
• Bleeding risk: warning signs and when to seek help
• Other drugs: interactions with my current medicines
• Surgery planning: when to pause the antiplatelet
• Monitoring: labs or follow-up intervals
• Costs: discuss ticagrelor cost and budgeting

Authoritative Sources

For complete details, see the manufacturer’s prescribing information on the AstraZeneca site for Brilinta; the document provides indications, dosing, and safety. Access the FDA label on DailyMed for ticagrelor for official US labeling and updates. Review the Health Canada Drug Product Database entry for ticagrelor for Canadian regulatory information. These sources open in a new tab:

• AstraZeneca Prescribing Information for Brilinta
• FDA DailyMed Label for Ticagrelor
• Health Canada DPD Entry for Ticagrelor

Ready to proceed? You can request your prescription fill with prompt, express, temperature-controlled handling when required. Medical disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.