Side Effects of Brilinta: What You Need to Know
Brilinta (ticagrelor) is a prescription drug used to lower certain heart-related and blood clot-related risks. Brilinta can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include shortness of breath, dizziness, and diarrhea.
Brilinta is used to lower the risk of certain blood clot-related and heart-related problems such as heart attack and stroke in adults who have:
- had a heart attack in the past or have acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
- ACS with a stent in one or more blood vessels of the heart
- coronary artery disease (CAD) and a high risk of stroke or a heart attack, but haven’t had one in the past
- an ischemic stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also called a ministroke
Brilinta comes as a tablet that you swallow. It contains the active ingredient ticagrelor. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)
Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects Brilinta can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.
Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their Brilinta treatment.
Examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:
- shortness of breath*
- dizziness*
- diarrhea*
- abnormally slow heart rate
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
Keep reading to learn more about possible side effects of Brilinta.
Some people can have mild side effects when taking Brilinta. Examples include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop taking Brilinta unless your doctor recommends it.
Brilinta may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.
Serious side effects have been reported in people taking Brilinta. These include:
- abnormally slow heart rate
- irregular breathing
- boxed warnings
- risk of serious bleeding*
- lower effectiveness of Brilinta with certain doses of aspirin*
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.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Brilinta, visit MedWatch.
Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Brilinta’s side effects.
How do side effects of Brilinta compare with those of Plavix?
Brilinta and Plavix are both prescribed to lower the risks of certain heart-related conditions, such as heart attack and stroke. These two drugs have some similar and some different side effects.
For example, both can increase your risk of bleeding and bruising. Both can cause shortness of breath, but this risk is slightly higher with Brilinta than with Plavix (clopidogrel) based on studies .
To learn more about how side effects of Brilinta and Plavix compare, check out this article or talk with your doctor.
Can Brilinta cause memory loss?
No, it’s not likely. Memory loss was not reported in studies of people taking Brilinta. But memory loss may be caused by certain health conditions, such as a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also called a ministroke. It can also be caused by certain drugs you may be taking.
If you’re concerned about memory loss while taking Brilinta, talk with your doctor. They can discuss possible causes and ways to manage it.
Does Brilinta cause tiredness?
It’s possible, although this was not reported in studies of the drug. Tiredness or fatigue (low energy) may be a symptom of certain heart conditions, including acute coronary syndrome, following a heart attack or stroke. Tiredness may also be caused by other conditions you may have or medications you’re taking.
If you have excessive tiredness that’s affecting your daily routine, talk with your doctor. They can diagnose possible causes and suggest ways to help to manage it.
Learn more about some of the side effects Brilinta may cause.
Boxed Warnings
Brilinta has boxed warnings about bleeding and risks when taken with certain doses of aspirin. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They alert doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
Risk of bleeding
Brilinta works by preventing your blood from clotting as it would normally. This can increase your risk of bruising and bleeding. In rare cases, this drug can cause severe, possibly fatal bleeding that requires immediate medical attention. Brilinta is not recommended if you have active bleeding in your body or your head.
Symptoms of serious bleeding can include:
- blood in your urine
- tarry or red stools
- severe bleeding that you can’t stop
- coughing up blood, such as coffee ground vomitus
- nosebleeds
Your doctor will not prescribe Brilinta if you’re going to have an emergency coronary artery bypass graft surgery. This is because the drug can increase your risk of severe bleeding.
What might help
If you have symptoms of bleeding while you’re taking Brilinta, call your doctor right away. They’ll discuss your risks with you and determine whether you should keep taking this drug or switch to a different one.
Note: It’s important to talk with your doctor before you stop taking Brilinta. Stopping this drug can increase your risk of another heart attack or stroke. This can still happen even if you have a stent in one or more of your blood vessels.
Aspirin use
Brilinta may be prescribed with aspirin. But studies have found that taking more than 100 milligrams (mg) of aspirin with Brilinta can lower the effectiveness of Brilinta.
What might help
Do not take aspirin without talking with your doctor first. They can determine the dosage of aspirin that’s right for you to take with Brilinta. Tell them about all other drugs you take, including any over-the-counter products.
Do not take supplements, herbs, or other products that contain aspirin without checking with your doctor first. These items can interfere with how Brilinta works in your body to manage your condition.
Shortness of breath
Brilinta can cause shortness of breath. This was a common side effect reported by people taking Brilinta in studies.
Shortness of breath is usually a mild side effect that goes away as you continue taking Brilinta. But it can be severe in rare cases. For example, your risk of shortness of breath may be higher with Brilinta if you already have breathing difficulties from conditions such as:
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- asthma
You may also have shortness of breath with an abnormally slow heart rate, which is a serious side effect of Brilinta.
What might help
Tell your doctor if you have certain breathing problems, such as asthma or COPD, before starting Brilinta. If you experience breathing problems while taking Brilinta, including during sleep, call your doctor. They’ll decide whether it’s safe for you to continue taking this drug.
If you have severe shortness of breath that seems life threatening, get medical help immediately.
Diarrhea
You may have diarrhea with Brilinta treatment. This mild side effect was reported in studies of the drug.
What might help
Diarrhea is a rare side effect that usually goes away with continued Brilinta treatment.
If your diarrhea is bothersome or doesn’t go away after a few days, talk with your doctor. They can explain possible causes and suggest ways to help ease your symptoms. If you have serious diarrhea, they may have you stop Brilinta and prescribe a different medication for you.
Get medical help immediately if you have blood in your stools or red or dark colored stools. These are signs of serious bleeding, which is a possible side effect of Brilinta.
Dizziness
Dizziness was a side effect reported in studies of Brilinta. This side effect is usually mild and goes away as you continue taking the drug. But if you have serious, ongoing dizziness that’s interfering with your daily activities, call your doctor. This can also be a symptom of an abnormally slow heart rate, which is a serious side effect of Brilinta.
What might help
Your doctor will check to see what’s causing your dizziness. It may be due to other medications you’re taking. If your dizziness is severe, they may have you stop Brilinta treatment and suggest a different medication for your condition.
Nausea
Nausea was a mild side effect reported in studies of people taking Brilinta. It is usually temporary and eases after you’ve taken the drug for a few days to weeks. But if your nausea is severe or ongoing, talk with your doctor.
What might help
If your nausea is mild, your doctor can recommend ways to help manage it while you’re taking Brilinta. If your nausea is severe, they may suggest a different treatment for your condition.
Allergic reaction
Like most drugs, Brilinta can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:
- skin rash
- itchiness
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
- swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
What might help
If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to help manage your symptoms. Examples include:
- an antihistamine you swallow, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
- a product you apply to your skin, such as hydrocortisone cream
If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Brilinta, they’ll decide whether you should continue taking it.
If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.
If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Brilinta, they may have you switch to a different treatment.
- what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
- how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
- what your symptoms were
- how your symptoms affected your daily activities
- what other medications you were taking
- any other information you feel is important
Brilinta can cause mild to serious side effects. It also has several warnings to consider.
Boxed warnings
Brilinta has boxed warnings about the risk of bleeding and reduced effectiveness when taken with certain doses of aspirin. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Risk of bleeding. Brilinta works by preventing your blood from clotting normally. This can increase your risk of bruising or bleeding more easily. In some cases, bleeding may be severe. And if you have a bleed, it may take longer for it to stop. To learn more about the risk of bleeding, see the “Side effects explained” section above.
Aspirin dosage risk. Taking more than 100 milligrams (mg) of aspirin with Brilinta can lower the effectiveness of Brilinta. To learn more about aspirin dosing with Brilinta, see the “Side effects explained” section above.
Other warnings
Brilinta may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether this drug is a good treatment option for you. Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Brilinta. Factors to consider include those described below.
Current bleeding. Avoid taking Brilinta if you have active bleeding. Examples include bleeding from a peptic ulcer or bleeding inside your brain. Taking this drug if you have bleeding can make it hard for your blood to clot to stop the bleeding. Your doctor will determine your risks if you have an active bleed, and they’ll likely suggest a different treatment than Brilinta for your condition.
Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Brilinta or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe it for you. Ask them about other medications that might be better options.
Serious heart-related problems. Taking Brilinta can trigger an abnormally slow heart rate. If you already have heart rate problems, Brilinta could make them worse. A slow heart rate can cause dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath, or other serious problems. Tell your doctor if you have a heart condition that affects your heart rate. They’ll determine whether Brilinta is right for you.
Breathing problems. Shortness of breath is a common side effect of Brilinta. If you already have breathing issues, taking Brilinta could worsen them. Tell your doctor if you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, or other breathing-related problems. They’ll decide whether Brilinta is safe for you or recommend a different, safer treatment.
History of bleeding in the brain. Brilinta is not recommended if you’ve had bleeding in the brain in the past. Taking Brilinta could increase your risk of another bleed. Your doctor will likely suggest a different treatment for you instead.
Severe liver disease. If you have severe liver disease, Brilinta may not be safe for you. This drug is broken down in your liver. If your liver is damaged, the drug can build up in your system. This can increase your risk of serious side effects from the drug, such as bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have liver disease. They may recommend a different medication for your condition.
Surgery. If you’re planning to have surgery, tell your doctor and healthcare team that you’re taking Brilinta. In some cases, you may need to stop taking the drug temporarily. Your doctor will decide whether you need to stop taking Brilinta before your surgery and for how long. This will depend on your risk of bleeding, the type of surgery you’re having, and other individual factors.
Alcohol and Brilinta
Drinking alcohol while taking Brilinta can increase your risk of bleeding. Talk with your doctor about how much, if any, alcohol is safe for you to consume while you’re taking this drug.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Brilinta
It’s not known whether Brilinta is safe to take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of Brilinta if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
It’s not known whether Brilinta passes into breast milk. Ask your doctor about any safety concerns for your child if you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed while taking this drug. They may recommend other ways to feed your child or suggest a different treatment for your condition.
Like most medications, Brilinta can cause side effects. In most cases these are mild, but serious side effects are possible. If you have questions about side effects that Brilinta can cause, talk with your doctor. Examples of questions to help get you started include:
- How do side effects of Brilinta compare with other medications used to treat my condition?
- Do certain health conditions I have increase my risk of side effects from Brilinta?
- Does my dosage of Brilinta affect my side effect risk?
To learn more about Brilinta, see these articles:
- All About Brilinta
- Dosage Details for Brilinta
- Brilinta and Cost: What You Need to Know
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Disclaimer: Austra Health 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.
Last medically reviewed on March 26, 2023