Brilinta
Foods to Avoid While Taking Brilinta, Brilinta is an oral antiplatelet therapy used to reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke in high-risk patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). BRILINTA works by preventing new blood clots.[1]
Taking this medication with certain foods can increase your risk of side effects or decrease its effectiveness. It is important to avoid these foods while you are taking brilinta.
Brilinta contraindications
The FDA has approved Brilinta (ticagrelor) to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). This is based on positive results from a clinical trial called THEMIS. This study showed that BRILINTA reduced the risk of a heart attack or stroke in these patients by up to 44% compared with clopidogrel alone.[2]
BRILINTA is also approved to treat patients who have recently had an ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) and are at high risk of having another one. In this treatment, brilinta is used with aspirin to prevent recurrent TIAs or stroke. This is the first drug to receive regulatory approval to do this.
In patients with ACS, brilinta should be initiated with a loading dose of 180 mg and then taken twice daily during the first year after an ACS event. After that, it should be taken with a maintenance dose of 60 mg.[3] If you have any questions about brilinta, please talk to your doctor. It’s important to follow all directions for taking brilinta and to read the full Prescribing Information, Boxed WARNINGS, and Medication Guide. It’s also important to remember that brilinta is not for everyone and should only be used when recommended.
What foods should I avoid while taking Brilinta?
One of the hottest topics in heart health right now is brilinta (ticagrelor). This antiplatelet medication, which is marketed by AstraZeneca, works by preventing new blood clots from forming. It also helps prevent existing clots from clumping together, which can reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke.[4]
As with any medication, it’s important to take brilinta as directed by your doctor. This includes taking the prescribed dose, not overdosing, and not using the medication more often or for longer than you were told to. It’s also a good idea to consult with your doctor about any new symptoms or problems you have. Be sure to mention if you have any medical conditions or allergies. This medication is not a cure-all, and it can’t replace the need for lifelong physical activity and healthy eating habits.[5]
Who can take Brilinta?
The FDA has just approved a new entrant to the antiplatelet arena — and not just any old antiplatelet. Among its many offerings is BRILINTA (ticagrelor), an oral antiplatelet medication used to treat a variety of cardiovascular disorders ranging from heart attack to stroke. Designed to be taken with or without aspirin, this new drug from the makers of BPA free Benadryl, is also touted as the most cost effective P2Y12 inhibitor on the market. [7]
Using a loading dose of two 90-mg tablets followed by twice daily 90-mg maintenance doses, ticagrelor has a proven track record of reducing thrombotic events in patients with ACS. The best part is, it’s affordable and easy to administer. The key to success is a solid patient and physician communication plan.
How does Brilinta work?
BRILINTA is an oral antiplatelet drug in a new chemical class of drugs called cyclopentyltriazolopyrimidines (CPTPs). It reduces the risk of cardiovascular events including heart attack, stroke and death in patients with ACS. It also helps reduce the risk of stent thrombosis in patients who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).[8]
BRILINTA works by preventing platelets from activating, which can lead to blood clots that block the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the heart. It blocks the P2Y12 receptor on blood cells that make platelets, allowing them to remain inactive.
As with all antiplatelet medications, BRILINTA can cause bleeding. Therefore, it is important to monitor for bleeding while taking it. AstraZeneca recommends using a risk evaluation mitigation strategy (REMS) that helps physicians and patients understand the risks of bleeding associated with the use of BRILINTA.
The most common side effects of brilinta include headache, dizziness, tiredness and upset stomach. [9]These effects usually go away with continued treatment, but they can be serious if they occur. If these side effects persist, contact your doctor.
To reduce the risk of severe bleeding, discontinue brilinta if you are having surgery or if you experience an allergic reaction to it. You should also avoid eating or drinking anything that contains a lot of caffeine.
During brilinta treatment, it is recommended to drink lots of water and other fluids. These can help prevent dehydration and vomiting, which may cause further bleeding.
AstraZeneca is working to expand the use of brilinta in a variety of different settings. For example, it has a clinical trial program for brilinta in stroke and peripheral arterial disease.[10]
In the United States, brilinta was approved to reduce the risk of a first stroke or heart attack in high-risk patients with ischemic heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The approval was based on the results of a phase III THEMIS study.
The FDA has also approved a new administration option for brilinta to give healthcare professionals additional flexibility when treating a patient with ACS. [11]The 90 mg tablets are now available in a crush form that can be administered by swallowing or via a nasogastric tube. This gives doctors and nurses more options for administering brilinta to a patient who may have trouble swallowing the pill.
What are the side effects of Brilinta?
BRILINTA has been evaluated in several clinical trials, including the randomized, double-blind PLATO (NCT01391872) trial comparing BRILINTA to clopidogrel in patients with CAD and ACS. This trial showed that BRILINTA was superior to clopidogrel in reducing the risk of CV death, myocardial infarction and stroke. Moreover, it was also superior to clopidogrel in patients who had undergone coronary artery revascularization with stent placement.[12]
The THEMIS (NCT01991795) study, an ischemic stroke trial, also showed that BRILINTA is effective in patients with CAD and type 2 diabetes. The study compared twice-daily BRILINTA to placebo in 19,220 patients with CAD and T2DM who had not previously experienced MI or stroke. The results of this study also showed that BRILINTA was significantly better than clopidogrel in patients who took low maintenance doses of aspirin (100 mg).[13] As a result, BRILINTA is preferred over clopidogrel for the prevention of stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes.
