Ticagrelor is a drug used to treat and lower the risk of a heart attack or stroke in people who have experienced heart attack or acute coronary syndrome.
In addition, this drug is also used to prevent blood clots in patients who have undergone a ring installation procedure or stent heart and prevent stroke in patients with mild stroke (transient ischemic attack).
Ticagrelor is a blood retailing drug that belongs to the antiplatelet drug class. This drug works by blocking platelets (platelets) from sticking together, so blood clots don't form that can clog blood vessels and cause a heart attack or stroke.
This drug can be used alone or in combination with low-dose aspirin. This drug should not be used carelessly and must be in accordance with a doctor's prescription.
ticagrelor trademark: Brilinta, Clotaire, Ticagrelor
What is Ticagrelor
| group | Prescription drugs |
| Category | Antiplatelet drugs |
| Benefit | Treat and reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke in patients with acute coronary syndrome or acute coronary syndrome (ACS) |
| Consumed by | Mature |
| Ticagrelor for pregnant and lactating women | Category C: Animal studies have shown fetal side effects, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. The drug should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. It is not known whether ticagrelor is absorbed into breast milk or not. If you are breastfeeding, do not take this medicine without consulting your doctor first. |
| Drug form | Film-coated tablets |
Precautions Before Taking Ticagrelor
Ticagrelor will be used for long-term treatment. There are several things to consider before taking this drug, including:
- Do not take ticagrelor if you are allergic to this drug. Always tell your doctor about any allergies you have.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have recently had bleeding, such as gastrointestinal bleeding from a peptic ulcer, or bleeding in the brain from a head injury.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a stroke, heart disease, gout, peptic ulcer, intestinal polyps, liver disease, heart rhythm disorder, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or a blood clotting disorder, including hemophilia.
- Tell your doctor that you are taking ticagrelor if you are planning to undergo certain medical procedures or surgery, including dental surgery.
- Do not stop taking ticagrelor without your doctor's instructions because it can increase the risk of stroke or heart attack.
- Do not drink alcohol while taking ticagrelor, especially if it is being used with aspirin, because it can increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.
- Do not drive a vehicle or do activities that require alertness after taking ticagrelor because this medicine can cause dizziness.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements, or herbal products.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
- Report to your doctor immediately if you have an allergic drug reaction, serious side effects, or overdose after taking ticagrelor.
Dosage and Instructions for Use of Ticagrelor
Ticagrelor is available in the form of 90 mg and 60 mg film-coated tablets. The use of ticagrelor to treat and prevent a heart attack or stroke can be combined with aspirin 75–100 mg per day.
The dose of ticagrelor and the duration of treatment will be determined by the doctor based on the condition suffered and the patient's response to treatment. In general, here is a breakdown of ticagrelor dosages for adults:
Purpose: Treating heart attack and unstable angina due to acute coronary syndrome
Initial dose of 180 mg or 2 tablets of 90 mg ticagrelor, followed by a maintenance dose of 90 mg, twice daily, for 1 year. Treatment was continued at a dose of 60 mg, 2 times daily for the following year.
Purpose: Prevent the formation of blood clots in patients with a history of acute coronary syndrome
The dose is 60 mg, 2 times a day. The use of ticaglerol will usually be combined with aspirin.
Purpose: Preventing stroke in patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA)
Initial dose of 180 mg, followed by a maintenance dose of 90 mg, twice daily, taken for 30 days.
How to Use Ticagrelor Correctly
Follow the doctor's advice and read the information listed on the drug packaging label before taking ticagrelor. Do not reduce or increase your dose, or take ticagrelor more often than your doctor recommends.
If it is recommended by a doctor to be taken with aspirin, then follow the dosage recommended by the doctor. Do not increase the dose of aspirin given by your doctor, because it can decrease the effectiveness of the drug ticagrelor.
Ticagrelor can be taken before or after meals. Swallow the ticagrelor tablet with a glass of water.
For patients who have difficulty swallowing, the tablets can be crushed or crushed first to a fine powder, then mixed in half a glass of water. Fill the glass with half a glass of water again, then drink.
Take ticagrelor at the same time every day for maximum effect. If you forget to take ticagrelor, wait until the next scheduled consumption. Do not double the dose to make up for a missed dose.
Take the dose that the doctor has given you even if your condition improves. Do not stop treatment without the doctor's permission, because it can increase the risk of stroke and heart attack.
The use of ticagrelor can increase the risk of easy bruising, nosebleeds, or other bleeding. To prevent these conditions from occurring, as much as possible avoid doing activities that can increase the risk of collision or injury.
If you are taking ticagrelor with aspirin, avoid taking other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, because they can increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.
Store ticagrelor tablets in tightly closed containers in a cool room. Do not store in a humid place and keep this medicine away from direct sunlight. Keep this medicine out of reach of children.
Ticagrelor Interactions with Other Drugs
The use of ticagrelor with other drugs can cause drug interactions, including:
- Increased risk of bleeding if used with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or anticoagulant drugs
- Increased risk of side effects of ticagrelor when used with clarithromycin, ketoconazole, or ritonavir
- Increased levels of simvastatin, lovastatin, or digoxin, in the blood
- Decreased effectiveness of ticagrelor and increased risk of bleeding with high-dose aspirin (more than 100 mg)
- Decreased effectiveness of ticagrelor when used with carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, or rifampicin
Side Effects and Dangers of Ticagrelor
A number of side effects that can occur after taking ticagrelor are:
- Mild shortness of breath
- Nauseous
- Dizziness or headache
- Nosebleed
- Increased levels of uric acid (hyperuricemia)
Check with your doctor if the side effects above don't go away or get worse. See your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to a drug or a more serious side effect, such as:
- Nosebleeds that are difficult to stop, bloody urine, coughing up blood, vomiting blood or vomit like coffee grounds, bloody or black stools like tar
- Chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
- Fainting or confusion
- Blurred vision or visual disturbances
