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Brilinta is a prescription medication that lowers your risk of heart attack and stroke if you have a history of heart attack, acute coronary syndrome, or other cardiovascular conditions. Since you’re supposed to take it every day, you might be wondering if it’s safe to take with your morning coffee or other caffeinated drinks. Here’s what you need to know!
What is Brilinta?
Brilinta (ticagrelor) is a blood thinner. It reduces your risk for cardiovascular events, like heart attack or stroke, by preventing the blood clots that trigger them. Brilinta may also significantly reduce your risk of death from a serious cardiovascular event. People who have vascular stents can also benefit from Brilinta’s anticoagulant properties. Depending on your personal health history, there are two doses available for Brilinta, 60 mg and 90 mg. Many people take aspirin in conjunction with Brilinta to increase its cardiovascular benefits. If your healthcare provider directed you to take it this way, you shouldn’t exceed 100 mg of aspirin daily because doses higher than 100 mg reduce the effectiveness of Brilinta.
RELATED: Can you drink coffee with aspirin?
Brilinta side effects
There are several risks and side effects associated with Brilinta. Since Brilinta prevents your blood from clotting, the main concern is the increased risk of bleeding. If you’re taking Brilinta, there are symptoms of serious bleeding that you should watch for. Call your healthcare provider if you experience:
- Urine that is brown, pink, or red.
- A cut, scratch, or other trauma that won’t stop bleeding.
- Vomit that is red or looks like coffee grounds.
- Blood clots or blood that is expelled when you cough.
- Stools that are red or black and tarry.
Serious bleeding isn’t the only side effect of Brilinta. People who take Brilinta may bruise or bleed more easily than before. They may also experience an increase in nosebleeds. Other side effects include shortness of breath and other changes in your breathing. If you’re having a hard time breathing, seek immediate medical attention.
Do Brilinta and caffeine interact?
“Caffeine is a drug in coffee, tea, soft drinks, and even in small amounts in chocolate,” says Ani Rostomyan, Pharm.D., BCPS, APH, a pharmacogenomics pharmacist. Lots of people indulge in coffee and other caffeinated beverages to keep them alert throughout the day. What they may not know is that since caffeine is a drug, it may cause side effects or interact with medications they are taking.
Since caffeinated beverages like coffee are a staple for many people, it’s important to note whether or not it interacts with Brilinta or other medications. “Caffeine and Brilinta are metabolized in the liver through different metabolic enzymes,” Dr. Rostomyan explains. “As a result, they don’t interact, and there’s no evidence that caffeine interacts with other blood thinners either.”
You can also rest assured that “consuming coffee in moderation won’t increase your risk of death, stroke, or sudden cardiac arrest,” says Efrat LaMandre, FNP-C, a family nurse practitioner with EG Healthcare in Staten Island, NY. So, you can have your morning coffee, tea, or other caffeinated beverage with your Brilinta or other blood thinners without worrying.
“People who are sensitive to caffeine may notice heart palpitations that coincide with their caffeine consumption, even though studies suggest there isn’t a relationship between the two,” LaMandre adds.
Caffeine also causes your body to produce more stomach acid and acts as a mild diuretic. As a result, you may experience heartburn and more frequent urination when you have caffeinated beverages.
How to take Brilinta safely
While you’re taking Brilinta, there are several things you should do to take it safely. Make sure you’re taking it as directed by your healthcare provider. “Avoid grapefruit juice while you’re on Brilinta, as it may increase your risk of bleeding,” Dr. Rostomyan says.
Always ask your healthcare provider before using other vitamins, minerals, and supplements because they may interact with Brilinta. “You should exercise caution with herbs and nutritional supplements with known anticoagulant properties, such as garlic, ginger, and ginkgo biloba, as well as St. John’s Wort, which can make Brilinta less effective,” Dr. Rostomyan says.
When in doubt, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if it’s safe for you to take certain vitamins and supplements with Brilinta. Reducing your cardiovascular risk is key to living a long, healthy life after a heart attack or stroke.
