Brilinta (ticagrelor) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed to help lower the risk of blood clots or certain cardiovascular events, such as heart attack or stroke in adults. As with other drugs, Brilinta can cause side effects, such as bleeding or shortness of breath.
Brilinta belongs to a drug class called antiplatelets. This drug is available in a generic version.
Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects. For a general overview of Brilinta, including details about its uses, see this article.
Brilinta can cause certain side effects, some more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Brilinta in clinical trials:
- shortness of breath*
- bleeding†
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† Brilinta has a
Mild side effects can occur with Brilinta use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Brilinta’s prescribing information.
Mild side effects that have been reported with Brilinta include:
- dizziness*
- shortness of breath*
- diarrhea*
- mild allergic reaction†
These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Brilinta and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Brilinta. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.
Brilinta may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Brilinta’s prescribing information.
If you develop serious side effects while taking Brilinta, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:
- slowed heart rate*
- risk of bleeding†
- severe allergic reaction.‡
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† Brilinta has a
‡ An allergic reaction is possible after using Brilinta. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.
Brilinta has a
boxed warning about risk of taking aspirin with Brilinta. This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. For more information, see Brilinta’s drug label information. You can also talk with your doctor.
Brilinta may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.
How do the side effects of Brilinta compare with those seen with Plavix?
Brilinta and Plavix are antiplatelet drugs and are expected to have similar side effects. Both are prescribed to lower the risk of blood clots or certain cardiovascular events, such as heart attack or stroke.
Similar to Brilinta, Plavix can cause bleeding. After Plavix and Brilinta became available on the market, it was found that they can cause
Talk with your doctor to learn more about the similarities and differences between Brilinta and Plavix.
Can Brilinta cause memory problems?
No, memory problems were not seen in Brilinta’s clinical trials.
If you’re taking Brilinta and having problems with your memory, talk with your doctor.
What are the long-term side effects of Brilinta?
Because Brilinta affects the platelets in your blood, the risk of bleeding* can last for as long as you take Brilinta. If you have a serious bleeding event, it may take time to recover. Talk with your doctor if you experience symptoms of bleeding or a serious bleeding event. They can recommend if you should continue to take Brilinta or switch to another drug.
If you have questions about long-term side effects while taking Brilinta, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
* Brilinta has a
Will Brilinta make you feel tired?
It’s not likely. Tiredness was not reported in Brilinta’s clinical trials.
However, tiredness can be a symptom of blood loss. Sometimes bleeding can occur in your body without you knowing, such as in your stomach or digestive tract. If you’re feeling more tired than usual while taking Brilinta, talk with your doctor.
Learn more about some of the side effects that Brilinta may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Brilinta.
Risk of bleeding
Brilinta comes with a
Brilinta can cause serious bleeding events, some of which have caused death. Symptoms of serious bleeding events may include:
- severe bleeding that you can’t stop
- urine that is pink, red, or brown
- vomit that is dark like coffee grounds, or vomiting up blood
- stools that are black or red
- coughing up blood or clots
Due to this risk, doctors typically won’t prescribe Brilinta if you’re actively bleeding or have a history of bleeding in your brain. They also won’t prescribe the drug if you have a planned coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
What you can do
While taking Brilinta, you may notice that you bruise more easily or experience more nosebleeds.
You may also have trouble stopping bleeding from small cuts, such as from a razor.
If these symptoms become bothersome or don’t go away, talk with your doctor. They can determine the risks of whether you should keep taking Brilinta or switch to a different drug. It’s important that you do not stop taking Brilinta without first talking with your doctor. Stopping Brilinta can increase your risk of another heart attack or stroke.
If you experience serious bleeding symptoms, call your doctor right away or go to the nearest emergency room.
Shortness of breath
In clinical trials of Brilinta, shortness of breath was a common side effect. Symptoms can include:
- tightening in the chest
- feeling like you are suffocating
- being unable to take a full breath
What you can do
Talk with your doctor if you develop shortness of breath while taking Brilinta.
In most cases, this side effect will improve on its own and will not need treatment. If it continues or becomes bothersome, your doctor may recommend a different medication for your condition.
Slowed heart rate
Slowed heart rate was rarely reported in Brilinta’s clinical trials. Most people taking Brilinta who experienced this side effect didn’t have symptoms. And it often goes away after about a month of continuing Brilinta treatment.
However, there are rare
What you can do
Before starting Brilinta, tell your doctor if you’ve had any problems with your heart rhythm in the past. Examples include:
- sick sinus syndrome
- heart block
- fainting related to slow heart rate
If you’ve had a problem with your heart rhythm in the past, your doctor may monitor you more closely while you take Brilinta. They may also recommend a different medication for your condition.
Diarrhea
In Brilinta’s clinical trials, diarrhea was rarely reported. Symptoms can include:
- loose, frequent bowel movements
- abdominal cramping
- nausea
- sweating
What you can do
Talk with your doctor if you have diarrhea that does not improve or becomes bothersome while taking Brilinta.
Eating foods high in fiber, such as rice and oatmeal, and avoiding fried foods can help with symptom relief. Also, diarrhea can make you dehydrated. You can try sipping cold water or sports drinks to help you stay hydrated.
Dizziness
Dizziness was a rare side effect reported in Brilinta’s clinical trials. Symptoms can include feeling:
- lightheaded or faint
- like the room is spinning
- weak or unsteady
What you can do
Mild or temporary dizziness may go away shortly after starting treatment with Brilinta.
Talk with your doctor if you have dizziness that doesn’t improve or becomes bothersome. Dizziness can be a symptom of heart rhythm problems, including slowed heart rate. This is a rare but possible side effect Brilinta can cause. Depending on your symptoms and other factors, such as your health history, your doctor may suggest stopping treatment.
Allergic reaction
As with most drugs, Brilinta can cause an allergic reaction in some people. It’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials, but it has been reported since the drug was approved for use.
Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:
- skin rash
- itching
- flushing
- swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
What you can do
For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Brilinta. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Brilinta comes with a boxed warning.
Boxed warnings
This drug has
Other precautions
Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Brilinta. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are considered drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:
Active bleeding. If you have serious bleeding, such as bleeding in your brain or a bleeding ulcer, your doctor likely won’t prescribe Brilinta. The drug can also cause bleeding.
Past bleeding in the brain. Brilinta can cause bleeding problems. If you have a history of bleeding in your brain, let your doctor know. They’ll likely recommend a different medication to treat your condition.
Heart rate problems. Brilinta may slow down your heart rate. If you have a problem with your heart rate being too slow, Brilinta may make it worse. Tell your doctor if you’ve had any problems with your heart rate or if you take medications to control your heart rate. They can determine whether Brilinta is safe for you.
Breathing problems. Brilinta can cause breathing problems, including shortness of breath. If you have asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Brilinta may worsen these conditions. Talk with your doctor to see if it’s safe for you to take Brilinta.
Liver problems. If you have serious liver problems, such as cirrhosis, your body won’t break down Brilinta as well as normal. This can lead to higher Brilinta levels in your body, which further increases your risk of bleeding while taking the drug. Let your doctor know if you have any problems with your liver. They will likely suggest a different medication to treat your condition.
Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Brilinta or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Brilinta. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.
Alcohol with Brilinta
There’s no known interaction between alcohol and Brilinta. However, drinking large amounts of alcohol can irritate your stomach lining and increase your risk for bleeding ulcers. Since Brilinta can cause bleeding as a side effect, drinking alcohol while taking the drug further increases this risk.
Talk with your doctor about how much, if any, alcohol is safe for you to consume while taking Brilinta.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Brilinta
It’s not clear if Brilinta is safe to take during pregnancy. In animal studies, Brilinta caused fetal harm when it was given at high doses. However, animal studies do not always predict what may happen in humans. Talk with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. They can help determine if Brilinta is the best treatment option for you.
In animal studies, Brilinta passed into breastmilk. Due to this risk, it is not recommended to take Brilinta if you’re breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about ways to safely feed your child while taking Brilinta.
Like other medications, Brilinta can cause side effects, some of which may be serious. If you’d like to learn more about Brilinta, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.
Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:
- More information about Brilinta. For details about other aspects of Brilinta, refer to this article.
- Drug comparison. To learn how Brilinta compares with Plavix, read this article.
- A look at heart attack or stroke. For details about heart attack, stroke, and other serious cardiovascular events, see our cardiovascular health hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.