Brilinta® 90 mg Tablets: Uses, Dosing, and Safety

What Brilinta® Is and How It Works

Brilinta (ticagrelor) is an oral antiplatelet medicine used with low‑dose aspirin to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death in acute coronary syndrome and after percutaneous coronary intervention. The common strength is Brilinta 90 mg, supplied as film‑coated tablets. Patients often ask about Brilinta 90 mg price and access without insurance, and many compare options for long‑term therapy.

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Brilinta is a reversible P2Y12 receptor antagonist. It blocks adenosine diphosphate (ADP) from activating platelets, which helps prevent clot formation. Onset is rapid after a loading dose, and steady antiplatelet activity is reached with twice‑daily dosing. Brilinta is taken by mouth and is combined with a maintenance aspirin dose of 75–100 mg daily.

Dosage and Usage

• Initial treatment for acute coronary syndrome: loading dose 180 mg once, then 90 mg twice daily.
• Maintenance: 90 mg twice daily for the first year after ACS or stent; some patients then continue 60 mg twice daily if ongoing risk exists, as directed by the prescriber.
• Use with low‑dose aspirin (75–100 mg) daily. Higher aspirin doses (>100 mg) may reduce Brilinta effectiveness.
• Timing: take doses about 12 hours apart, with or without food. Swallow tablets whole or use approved crushing instructions when necessary per the label.
• Missed dose: take the next dose at the regular time; do not double up.
• Surgery or dental procedures: many patients stop Brilinta 5 days before procedures with bleeding risk, when directed by the prescriber.
• Drug interactions: avoid strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, clarithromycin) and inducers (e.g., rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin). Avoid grapefruit in large amounts.
• Contraindications: active pathological bleeding, history of intracranial hemorrhage, or severe hepatic impairment.

• Storage temperature: store at 20–25 °C (68–77 °F). Short excursions 15–30 °C (59–86 °F) are acceptable.
• Keep tablets in the original container with the label intact and the bottle tightly closed.
• Protect from moisture and excess heat; avoid bathroom storage.
• Travel: pack in carry‑on luggage with a copy of the prescription. Use a daily pill organizer only for short periods and keep the original container for verification.
• Do not leave medicine in a parked car or direct sunlight.
• Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Benefits and Savings

Brilinta helps reduce cardiovascular events after a heart attack or stent procedure by providing strong, reversible platelet inhibition. The 90 mg twice‑daily regimen is simple, and tablets can be taken with or without food. No routine therapeutic monitoring is required for antiplatelet effect.

Buying from Canada often lowers the Brilinta medication cost. Many patients see 60–80% savings compared with typical US prices, especially on multi‑month supplies. If paying without insurance, comparing Brilinta 90 mg cost per month across quantities can help overall budgeting. Generic ticagrelor may offer further savings where available.

Looking for promotions? See our Brilinta coupon page for current offers.

Side Effects and Safety

• Bleeding (nosebleeds, bruising, bleeding gums)
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea), generally mild to moderate
• Headache or dizziness
• Nausea, diarrhea, or indigestion
• Fatigue
• Increased uric acid
• Rare rash or hypersensitivity

Serious risks include major bleeding (gastrointestinal, intracranial, or other sites). Maintenance aspirin doses above 100 mg reduce Brilinta effectiveness. Avoid use in active bleeding, prior intracranial hemorrhage, or severe liver impairment. Caution is advised with a history of bradyarrhythmias, syncope, or severe dyspnea. Combining with anticoagulants or other drugs that affect hemostasis increases bleeding risk.

Onset Time

After a 180 mg loading dose, platelet inhibition begins within about 30 minutes and approaches peak effect by 2 hours. With 90 mg twice daily, steady‑state inhibition is generally reached within 2–3 days. Clinical protection against clot‑related events starts early after initiation and depends on continued adherence to dual antiplatelet therapy as prescribed.

Compare With Alternatives

Clopidogrel (Plavix) is a once‑daily P2Y12 inhibitor. It is a prodrug with slower onset and greater variability due to metabolic activation. Some patients who need stronger or more consistent platelet inhibition after ACS or PCI are maintained on ticagrelor instead.

Prasugrel (Effient) is another potent P2Y12 inhibitor, given once daily after a loading dose. It is often reserved for certain PCI patients without prior stroke or transient ischemic attack due to bleeding risk. Dosing differs by weight and age.

Oral anticoagulants, such as Eliquis® (apixaban) or Xarelto® (rivaroxaban), target the coagulation cascade rather than platelets. They are used for atrial fibrillation or venous thromboembolism. They may be combined with antiplatelets in select coronary patients for short periods, but bleeding risk rises and prescribers individualize therapy.

Combination Therapy

• Low‑dose aspirin 75–100 mg daily with Brilinta is standard after ACS or PCI.
• Proton pump inhibitors may be used to lower GI bleeding risk in patients with prior ulcers or other risk factors.
• Concurrent anticoagulants or other antithrombotics increase bleeding risk; dose adjustments or shorter durations may be used under specialist care.
• Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors/inducers may require switching therapy due to interaction concerns.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Who may be candidates: adults with recent acute coronary syndrome, stent placement, or a history of heart attack where dual antiplatelet therapy is indicated. Those at high ischemic risk and acceptable bleeding risk may benefit from continued therapy as guided by the prescriber.

Who may not be candidates: anyone with active bleeding, prior intracranial hemorrhage, or severe hepatic impairment. Caution is needed in patients with bradyarrhythmias, recurrent syncope, severe dyspnea, gout or hyperuricemia, or those taking strong CYP3A4 modulators.

Ways to manage Brilinta 90 mg cost: compare Brilinta 90 mg price in different package sizes; ask about generic ticagrelor if appropriate; consider multi‑month supplies to lower per‑month costs; and set reorder reminders so therapy is not interrupted. Patients paying without insurance often save more by combining larger fills with periodic promotions.

Authoritative Sources

AstraZeneca Brilinta Prescribing Information (US)

Health Canada Drug Product Database: Ticagrelor (Brilinta)

FDA Medication Guide and Label for Ticagrelor

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This page is for educational purposes and does not replace medical advice from a qualified professional. Always follow your prescriber’s directions and the medication guide.