Ticagrelor is used to reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack or death in patients who have had a heart attack or who suffer from angina.
What is Ticagrelor?
Ticagrelor is a platelet aggregation inhibitor. It works by slowing or blocking platelet adhesion to blood vessel walls or injured tissues.
How should Ticagrelor be taken?
Ticagrelor is administered with aspirin. It is taken orally in the form of tablets.
Side effects associated with Ticagrelor
Taking Ticagrelor could induce the appearance of bruises.
It is important to immediately contact a doctor if taking Ticagrelor triggers any of the following symptoms:
- Rash
- Urticaria
- Itching
- Difficulty breathing
- Tightness or chest pain
- Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue
- Unusual hoarseness
- Eye bleeding
- Fainting
- Slowed, fast or irregular heartbeat
- Feeling faint or lightheaded
- Purple spots on the skin
- Shortness of breath
- Symptoms of stroke
- Symptoms of bleeding in progress
Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Ticagrelor
Ticagrelor should not be taken in case of bleeding in progress, if you have ever had bleeding in the brain, and if you suffer from severe liver problems. It is also contraindicated in patients who take azole antifungals, carbamazepine, dexamethasone, certain macrolide antibiotics, nefazodone, phenobarbital, phenytoin, some protease inhibitors, rifampin or telithromycin.
Before starting the treatment it is important to tell your doctor if:
- You have any allergies to the active substance, to other components or to other drugs or foods
- You are taking other medications, herbal remedies and supplements, citing in particular other drugs to prevent or treat blood clots, anticoagulants, direct thrombin inhibitors, NSAIDs, rivarobaxan, salicylates, azole antifungals, macrolide antibiotics, nefazodone, protease inhibitors, telithromycin, carbamazepine, dexametazone, efavirenz, hydantoins, phenobarbital, primidone, rifamycins, St. John's wort, digoxin, lovastatin and simvastatin
- You are taking medication to dissolve blood clots within 24 hours of treatment with Ticagrelor
- You suffer (or have suffered) from kidney, lung or respiratory problems, gastrointestinal bleeding and bleeding disorders in general, ulcers, intestinal polyps, abnormal heartbeat, blood clotting problems, stroke, gout or high levels of uric acid in the blood
- You suffer from fainting associated with slow heart rate in the absence of a permanent pacemaker
- You have scheduled surgery or dental procedures
- You are undergoing dialysis
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
It is recommended to inform physicians, surgeons and dentists about ongoing treatment with Ticagrelor prior to any procedure.
