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Key takeaways
Brilinta (ticagrelor) is a prescription blood thinner used to help prevent blood clots, heart attack, and stroke.
Common side effects include bleeding, shortness of breath, and increased creatinine levels.
Side effects, such as nausea, diarrhea, or dizziness, often subside as your body adjusts to the medication.
Bleeding and bruising can occur at any time during treatment, but you can take measures to reduce the risk of injury.
Brilinta is a brand-name prescription blood thinner. Ticagrelor is the active ingredient and generic version of Brilinta. Brilinta is classified as a P2Y12 platelet inhibitor. It is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to lower the risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke in people who are at high risk. Brilinta works by preventing blood clots from forming. The most common side effects of Brilinta include bleeding and shortness of breath. We’ll go more into detail about Brilinta side effects below.
RELATED: What is Brilinta?
Common side effects of Brilinta
- Dyspnea (shortness of breath or trouble breathing)
- Bleeding
- Increased serum creatinine (blood test marker of kidney function)
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Nausea
Shortness of breath
Dyspnea is a term that refers to feeling short of breath or feeling like breathing is labored. One of the most common adverse effects of Brilinta, the feeling of shortness of breath, is experienced by 14% to 21% of patients taking it, according to the manufacturer AstraZeneca. The occurrence can be troublesome because dyspnea can be a symptom of an acute coronary syndrome, angina, or ian mpending heart attack. If you experience shortness of breath while taking Brilinta, contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical attention if the symptoms are severe. Shortness of breath resulting from Brilinta resolves when the drug is discontinued—but you should not stop Brilinta unless advised by your doctor.
Serum creatinine elevation
Serum creatinine is measured in blood tests as a marker for renal (kidney) function. For unknown reasons, it is elevated in 4% to 8% of patients taking Brilinta. The creatinine level improves when the medication is stopped, even if the drug is continued, the level may still improve. As mentioned above, you should only stop taking Brilinta if advised by your healthcare provider.
Serious side effects of Brilinta
- Allergic reaction
- Severe or serious bleeding
- Bradyarrhythmia (abnormally slow heart rate)
- Atrioventricular block (slowing or absence of electrical conduction between the top and bottom chambers of the heart)
- Central sleep apnea (periods of slowing and cessation of breathing while sleeping due to a neurologic cause)
Severe bleeding
Any type of blood thinner may cause bleeding, including severe bleeding. Brilinta can cause serious bleeding that could cause complications, including needing a blood transfusion or surgery, or in rare cases, can be life-threatening. Brilinta can cause you to bruise and bleed more easily and have nosebleeds. You may also notice it takes longer for bleeding to stop than it used to. While taking Brilinta, call your healthcare provider right away or get emergency medical help for severe symptoms if:
- You have severe or uncontrollable bleeding
- Your urine is pink, red, or brown
- Your stool (poop) is red, black, or tarry
- You are vomiting blood, or your vomit looks like coffee grounds
- You are coughing up blood or blood clots
You should not stop taking Brilinta, though, unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Stopping Brilinta may increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, or death.
RELATED: Should you take a daily dose of aspirin?
How soon do Brilinta side effects start?
Some side effects, like shortness of breath, dizziness, or bleeding, can occur soon after you start taking Brilinta—even in the first few days. Other effects, like changes in creatinine levels, may not be discovered until your healthcare provider orders bloodwork.
How long do Brilinta side effects last?
Some side effects, like nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, or shortness of breath, may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, if you have symptoms that persist or are bothersome, check in with your healthcare provider.
People who have increased creatinine levels often see an improvement while taking Brilinta. In cases where creatinine increases significantly and a healthcare provider advises you to stop taking Brilinta, your levels should still return to normal after stopping the drug—but again, never stop Brilinta unless advised by your healthcare provider.
Mild bleeding or bruising may persist or occur occasionally while taking Brilinta. If you have serious bleeding that prompts your healthcare provider to tell you to stop taking Brilinta, you may have bleeding for a few days after stopping Brilinta, as it can affect platelets for about five days.
Long-term effects of Brilinta
More data on long-term use and effects of Brilinta is needed. The PEGASUS study followed patients for a period of three years. While bleeding rates were higher in those taking Brilinta and aspirin compared to aspirin alone, the rates of fatal bleeding, intracranial hemorrhage, and death from any cause were no different.
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Brilinta interactions
There is an extensive list of known interactions with Brilinta. The importance of reviewing your prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements with the prescribing provider cannot be overstated. The following list highlights some of the important interactions.
- Antifungals such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, or voriconazole
- Certain HIV drugs such as ritonavir, saquinavir, and atazanavir
- The macrolide antibiotic clarithromycin
- The tuberculosis drug rifampin
- Certain anticonvulsant drugs like phenytoin, phenobarbital, and carbamazepine
- Opioid pain medicines
- Statins such as simvastatin, lovastatin, and rosuvastatin
- Grapefruit juice
Safety measures while taking Brilinta
Brilinta is not safe for everyone. You should not take Brilinta if you:
- Have a history of intracranial hemorrhage
- Have active bleeding
- Are allergic to ticagrelor or any ingredient in Brilinta
Before taking Brilinta, you should tell your healthcare provider about any medical conditions you have, including:
- A history of bleeding problems
- Recent injury or surgery
- Upcoming surgery or medical or dental procedure
- A history of stomach ulcers or colon polyps
- Lung or liver problems
- A history of stroke
Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Your provider will determine whether Brilinta is safe for you. You should not breastfeed while taking Brilinta. Ask your healthcare provider for medical advice if you are breastfeeding.
Brilinta is not habit-forming and does not elicit a withdrawal syndrome upon stopping. Based on a potentially increased risk of heart attack or stroke after stoppage, discontinuation of the drug should only be done in consultation with a healthcare professional.
An overdose of Brilinta should prompt emergent treatment and a call to the Poison Helpline at 1-800-222-1222.
How to avoid Brilinta side effects
- Fully discuss your medical conditions, health history, and current medications and supplements with the prescribing healthcare provider prior to starting Brilinta. Update the provider with any changes to medications or health status. Check with them before taking over-the-counter medications, as common ones like ibuprofen can increase bleeding risk.
- Immediately report any bleeding to a healthcare professional or seek medical attention. Signs of bleeding may not always be obvious and could include nosebleeds, brown urine, black stool, or vomiting material that looks like coffee grounds.
- Take Brilinta exactly as prescribed. Follow the instructions for taking Brilinta found in your medication guide. Continue to follow up with the prescribing provider to ensure that you continue the drug. Do not stop taking Brilinta unless your provider tells you to do so.
- Avoid alcohol use, since it may increase the risk of stomach bleeding.
- If a dose is missed, skip the missed dose and take the next dose as scheduled. Do not take both doses at the same time.
How to treat side effects of Brilinta
Before you start taking Brilinta, it’s a good idea to talk with your healthcare provider about what side effects to expect and what to do if you experience them.
Typically, mild side effects such as nausea or diarrhea tend to subside as your body adjusts to the medication. In the meantime, you can stick to foods that do not upset your stomach—avoid heavy, greasy, and spicy foods. If you experience dizziness, be sure to stand up slowly and hold onto something stable. Any of these side effects that are bothersome or do not go away should be reported to your healthcare provider.
Mild bleeding and bruising is normal, but more severe or persistent bleeding can be serious. You can also learn about steps you can take to help prevent injuries while taking a blood thinner, such as using an electric razor, brushing your teeth with a soft toothbrush, wearing shoes inside and outside of the house, and wearing gloves when using sharp tools.
Get emergency medical help right away if you have severe bleeding, symptoms of an allergic reaction (hives, trouble breathing, or swelling), or severe shortness of breath.
Bottom line: Is Brilinta safe?
Any drug comes with the risk of side effects, including serious side effects. There are a lot of individual factors that go into deciding whether a drug is appropriate for you, so only your healthcare provider can decide if Brilinta is safe for you. Be sure to share all your medical information with your healthcare provider, including any medical conditions, history, and a list of your medications. While taking Brilinta, report any side effects that bother you. For more concerning side effects, contact your healthcare provider immediately or seek emergency medical attention if symptoms are severe.
- Blood thinners, MedlinePlus (2024)
- Brilinta, DailyMed (2024)
- Ticagrelor, MedlinePlus (2025)
- Blood thinner pills: Your guide to using them safely, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (2023)