{"id":632268,"date":"2025-05-27T09:30:26","date_gmt":"2025-05-27T13:30:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=632268"},"modified":"2026-09-09T15:39:21","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T19:39:21","slug":"foods-to-avoid-while-taking-brilinta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/foods-to-avoid-while-taking-brilinta\/","title":{"rendered":"5 foods to avoid while taking Brilinta"},"content":{"rendered":"

Brilinta<\/a> (ticagrelor) is a brand-name antiplatelet prescription drug<\/a> that prevents blood clots. The drug has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce the risk of heart attack<\/a>, stroke<\/a>, and cardiovascular death in people with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or who have recently experienced a myocardial infarction (heart attack). Brilinta works best when used alongside a heart-healthy diet. It\u2019s also essential to avoid grapefruit<\/a> and certain over-the-counter supplements when taking Brilinta, as they can interfere with the drug\u2019s effectiveness.<\/p>\n

How Brilinta works<\/h2>\n

Brilinta\u2019s active ingredient, ticagrelor<\/a>, prevents blood cells called platelets from sticking together to form clots. This thins the blood to help avoid clot-related problems such as stroke, heart attack, and other cardiovascular problems. Brilinta reaches its maximum concentration in the blood within 90 minutes of taking it and stays effective for several hours. Dosage<\/a> ranges from 60 mg to 90 mg twice per day.<\/p>\n\t\t\t

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5 foods to avoid with Brilinta<\/h2>\n

Grapefruit is the only food that must be strictly avoided on Brilinta because of potential drug interactions. \u201cIt\u2019s also best to avoid excessive alcohol, high-sodium foods, and high-fat foods,\u201d says Jodie Pepin, Pharm.D., clinical pharmacy program manager at Harbor Health in Round Rock, Texas.<\/p>\n

Aside from grapefruit, healthcare professionals recommend limiting a few specific food types and supplements that increase either the risk of bleeding or cardiovascular problems, including:<\/p>\n

1. Grapefruit<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s important not to take Brilinta with grapefruit, grapefruit juice, and other grapefruit products. That\u2019s because grapefruit blocks an enzyme that helps your body metabolize the drug.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis can cause Brilinta to build up in your system, which may increase your risk of side effects, especially bleeding,\u201d explains Tatiana Echeverry, MD<\/a>, a board-certified internist with Medical Offices of Manhattan in New York, New York.<\/p>\n

\u201cAvoiding grapefruit helps keep your medication working safely and the way it\u2019s intended to work,\u201d emphasizes Dr. Pepin<\/a>. It\u2019s also a good idea to avoid drinking the following tropical juices, as they can affect the same CYP3A4 enzyme as grapefruit: kiwi, pineapple, papaya, lychee, starfruit, and passionfruit.<\/p>\n

2. Excess alcohol<\/h3>\n

Individuals who frequently consume alcohol should limit their drinking while taking Brilinta. \u201cAlcohol can thin the blood,\u201d says Dr. Pepin. Drinking a lot of alcohol while also taking a blood thinner like Brilinta<\/a> raises the risk of bleeding. She warns that the risk of severe bleeding is further increased if you take a dose of aspirin with Brilinta.<\/p>\n

Drinking an occasional beer or glass of wine while taking Brilinta is fine for most patients. Moderate alcohol consumption is unlikely to increase the risk of side effects significantly, but excessive drinking increases the risk of bleeding, including nosebleeds and internal bleeding. \u201cLimit or avoid depending on your medical history. Ask your provider for guidance,\u201d says Dr. Pepin. The good news? There\u2019s no need to avoid other favorite beverages like coffee<\/a>.<\/p>\n

3. High-sodium foods<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s a good idea to avoid sodium-packed canned soups, deli meats, and salty packaged snacks like potato chips while on Brilinta. While sodium is an essential nutrient, the American College of Cardiology<\/a> warns that too much of it causes high blood pressure, forcing the heart to work harder and increasing the risk of stroke.<\/p>\n

Bottom line: While salt<\/a> doesn\u2019t directly interact with Brilinta, Dr. Pepin suggests cutting back because it can contribute to cardiovascular issues.<\/p>\n

4. Fatty and fried foods<\/h3>\n

Foods high in saturated and trans fats<\/a> are not good for your cholesterol<\/a> or heart. Since Brilinta is prescribed for heart health<\/a>, eating foods high in these unhealthy fats only undermines the treatment. Dr. Pepin recommends avoiding processed meats, fried foods, and packaged processed snacks. It\u2019s a good idea to limit full-fat dairy (heavy cream and butter), cream-based salad dressings and pasta sauces, and fatty cuts of meat (such as beef with visible marbling). For specific fat intake guidelines, seek personalized medical advice from a healthcare provider or nutritionist.<\/p>\n

5. Blood-thinning foods<\/h3>\n

Certain foods affect platelet aggregation, the process by which your blood cells clump together to form a clot. Meaning, they act as natural blood thinners. Typically, the effect isn\u2019t strong enough to cause a problem, but when you eat them along with an anticoagulant, such as Brilinta, it can increase your bleeding risk. To stay on the safe side, avoid the following<\/a> in large amounts:<\/p>\n