Brilinta is a prescription drug given to individuals who had a heart attack recently or are suffering from unstable angina, a condition characterized by severe chest pain due to the limited oxygen going to the heart. Manufactured and distributed by AstraZeneca, this drug is available in tablet form. It is also used with aspirin to lessen the risks of heart attacks, strokes and blood clots in a stent all of which can be fatal.
There is only one standard dosing of Brilinta regardless of the patient’s age, gender and health conditions. The first dose given to a patient is the loading dose consisting of two 90 mg tablets taken along with a standard, full strength aspirin tablet. Then the standard recommended dose of Brilinta follows which is 90 mg administered twice a day, along with a low dose aspirin (70 to 100 mg) once a day. The effectiveness of this drug suffers when it is taken with more than 100 mg of aspirin per day.
Brilinta Cost Information
The prices of Brilinta pills differ depending on factors like the stores that sell it and the use of discount codes. On the average, a 90 mg tablet is sold at $4 in most online and brick and mortar pharmaceuticals. Buyers can purchase the tablets at lower prices if they are able to use appropriate discount codes. The manufacturer of the drug also offers a free trial offer wherein all eligible patients can get a 30-day supply for free.
Dosage | Quantity | Price Without Insurance |
CVS Pharmacy |
| 90mg | 30 tablets | $132.30 |
| 90mg | 60 tablets | $294.00 |
| 90mg | 90 tablets | $441.00 |
Kmart |
| 90mg | 30 tablets | $132.80 |
| 90mg | 60 tablets | $286.00 |
| 90mg | 90 tablets | $429.00 |
Kroger |
| 90mg | 30 tablets | $133.79 |
| 90mg | 60 tablets | $259.60 |
| 90mg | 90 tablets | $370.66 |
Publix |
| 90mg | 30 tablets | $133.79 |
| 90mg | 60 tablets | $271.33 |
| 90mg | 90 tablets | $403.91 |
Rite Aid |
| 90mg | 30 tablets | $139.99 |
| 90mg | 60 tablets | $318.00 |
| 90mg | 90 tablets | $477.00 |
Target |
| 90mg | 30 tablets | $133.89 |
| 90mg | 60 tablets | $270.00 |
| 90mg | 90 tablets | $406.00 |
Walgreens |
| 90mg | 30 tablets | $135.02 |
| 90mg | 60 tablets | $297.00 |
| 90mg | 90 tablets | $445.00 |
Walmart |
| 90mg | 30 tablets | $130.31 |
| 90mg | 60 tablets | $258.61 |
| 90mg | 90 tablets | $386.91 |
Short-Term Side Effects
Brilinta can cause side effects to its users but most of these should go away in a few days, or until the body gets accustomed to the medication. The most commonly reported side effects are shortness of breath, fast or irregular heartbeat, lightheadedness, and black, tarry stools.
Long-Term Side Effects
The chronic use of Brilinta can result to long-term side effects. Some users say they experienced red or dark brown urine, unusual bleeding especially from the gums and nose, and spitting up blood. Others also complain of diarrhea, headache, fatigue, and upset stomach.
How It Works
Brilinta contains the active ingredient ticagrelor which works by preventing the banding of platelets in the blood. It is part of a class of drugs called platelet aggregation inhibitors or simply antiplatelet. Platelets are small fragments in the blood that form together to inhibit bleeding. Clots may also form inside a damaged blood vessel, resulting to stroke or heart attack.
Interactions
Brilinta may interact with other medication like CYP 3A4 inducer medications such as St. John’s wort, Cytadren, Tracleer, Sustiva, Carbatrol, Intelence, Cerebyx, Nafcillin, Trileptal, Dilantin, Myscoline, Mycobutin and Rifabin. Drugs like Argatroban, Pletal, Plavix, Pradaxa, Persantine, Xigris, Integrilin and Arixtra may also increase the risk of bleeding among users of Brilinta. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Celebrex, Voltaren, Lodine, Motrin, Indocin, Orudis, Mobic, Daypro and Feldene may also interact with this medication.
Generic Alternatives
If Brilinta is causing bothersome side effects, the patient may be advised to take other alternative drugs like Plavix.
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