Managing Brilinta's Potential Side Effects: A Guide
Brilinta, a brand-name drug belonging to the antiplatelet class, is prescribed to help lower the risk of blood clots or certain cardiovascular events. However, like any medication, it comes with potential side effects and precautions that patients should be aware of.
One of the most important considerations is the risk of bleeding. Brilinta can cause bleeding, which can last for as long as the drug is taken. Symptoms of serious bleeding events may include severe bleeding that can't be stopped, urine that is pink, red, or brown, vomit that is dark like coffee grounds, stools that are black or red, coughing up blood or clots.
Slowed heart rate is another potential side effect, especially for those with a history of heart rate problems or those taking medications to control their heart rate. Brilinta may slow down your heart rate, and in rare cases, can cause serious heart rhythm problems.
Brilinta may not make you feel tired, but less common side effects include dizziness, confusion, vertigo, and syncope (fainting). These symptoms have been noted in some patients and warrant caution during activities like driving or operating machinery.
Diarrhea was rarely reported in Brilinta's clinical trials, with symptoms including loose, frequent bowel movements, abdominal cramping, nausea, and sweating. Allergic reactions, such as rash and itching, have also been observed but affect fewer than 1% of users.
Patients with serious liver problems, such as cirrhosis, may not metabolise the drug as well as normal, making Brilinta potentially less effective or increasing the risk of side effects. Brilinta can also cause breathing problems, including shortness of breath, especially for those with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Drinking large amounts of alcohol can irritate your stomach lining and increase your risk for bleeding ulcers, which further increases the risk of bleeding while taking Brilinta.
It is not recommended to take Brilinta if you are breastfeeding.
Brilinta has a boxed warning about the risk of taking aspirin with Brilinta.
It is crucial to discuss any questions or concerns about Brilinta, its side effects, or how it may interact with other medications or health conditions with your doctor.
Despite these potential side effects, Brilinta has not been found to cause memory problems in clinical trials.
Deciders with medical-conditions like hypertension or cardiovascular health-and-wellness should be aware that Brilinta, a drug in the antiplatelet class, might cause bleeding, especially severe events with symptoms like unstoppable bleeding, pink, red, or brown urine, coffee-ground-like vomit, black or red stools, or coughing up blood or clots. Patients needing to discuss the potential risks, side effects, or interactions with their medical-conditions, other medications, or health-and-wellness should consult their doctors. Thankfully, memory problems have not been observed during Brilinta's clinical trials.
