Brilinta
(Ticagrelor)

What Brilinta is and what it is used for

What Brilique is Brilique contains an active substance called ticagrelor. This belongs to a group of medicines called antiplatelet medicines. What Brilique is used for Brilique in combination with acetylsalicylic acid (another antiplatelet agent) is to be used in adults only. You have been given this medicine because you have had:
• a heart attack, over a year ago. It reduces the chances of you having another heart attack, stroke or dying from a disease related to your heart or blood vessels. How Brilique works Brilique affects cells called ‘platelets’ (also called thrombocytes). These very small blood cells help stop bleeding by clumping together to plug tiny holes in blood vessels that are cut or damaged. However, platelets can also form clots inside diseased blood vessels in the heart and brain. This can be very dangerous because:
• the clot can cut off the blood supply completely; this can cause a heart attack (myocardial infarction) or stroke, or
• the clot can partly block the blood vessels to the heart; this reduces the blood flow to the heart and can cause chest pain which comes and goes (called ‘unstable angina’). Brilique helps stop the clumping of platelets. This reduces the chance of a blood clot forming that can reduce blood flow.

How to take Brilinta

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. How much to take
• The usual dose is one tablet of 60 mg twice a day. Continue taking Brilique as long as your doctor tells you.
• Take this medicine around the same time every day (for example, one tablet in the morning and one in the evening). Taking Brilique with other medicines for blood clotting Your doctor will usually also tell you to take acetylsalicylic acid. This is a substance present in many medicines used to prevent blood clotting. Your doctor will tell you how much to take (usually between 75-150 mg daily). How to take Brilique
• You can take the tablet with or without food.
• You can check when you last took a tablet of Brilique by looking on the blister. There is a sun (for the morning) and a moon (for the evening). This will tell you whether you have taken the dose. If you have trouble swallowing the tablet If you have trouble swallowing the tablet you can crush it and mix with water as follows:
• Crush the tablet to a fine powder.
• Pour the powder into half a glass of water.
• Stir and drink immediately.
• To make sure there is no medicine left, rinse the empty glass with another half a glass of water and drink it. If you are in the hospital you may be given this tablet mixed with some water and given through a tube via the nose (nasogastric tube). Patient Information Leaflet If you take more Brilique than you should If you take more Brilique than you should, talk to a doctor or go to hospital straight away. Take the medicine pack with you. You may be at increased risk of bleeding. If you forget to take Brilique
• If you forget to take a dose, just take your next dose as normal.
• Do not take a double dose (two doses at the same time) to make up for the forgotten dose. If you stop taking Brilique Do not stop taking Brilique without talking to your doctor. Take this medicine on a regular basis and for as long as your doctor keeps prescribing it. If you stop taking Brilique, it may increase your chances of having another heart attack or stroke or dying from a disease related to your heart or blood vessels. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

The following side effects may happen with this medicine: Brilique affects blood clotting, so most side effects are related to bleeding. Bleeding may occur in any part of the body. Some bleeding is common (like bruising and nosebleeds). Severe bleeding is uncommon, but can be life threatening. See a doctor straight away if you notice any of the following – you may need urgent medical treatment:
• Bleeding into the brain or inside the skull is an uncommon side effect, and may cause signs of a stroke such as:
•sudden numbness or weakness of your arm, leg or face, especially if only on one side of the body
•sudden confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding others
•sudden difficulty in walking or loss of balance or co-ordination
•suddenly feeling dizzy or sudden severe headache with no known cause
• Signs of bleeding such as:
•bleeding that is severe or that you cannot control
•unexpected bleeding or bleeding that lasts a long time pink, red, or brown urine
•vomiting red blood or your vomit looks like ‘coffee grounds’
•red or black stools (look like tar)
•coughing up or vomiting blood clots
• Fainting (syncope)
•a temporary loss of consciousness due to sudden drop in blood flow to the brain (common) Discuss with your doctor if you notice any of the following:
• Feeling short of breath
•this is very common. It might be due to your heart disease or another cause, or it might be a side effect of Brilique. Brilique-related breathlessness is generally mild and characterised as a sudden, unexpected hunger for air usually occurring at rest and may appear in the first weeks of therapy and for many may disappear. If your feeling of shortness of breath gets worse or lasts a long time, tell your doctor. Your doctor will decide if it needs treatment or further investigations. Other possible side effects Patient Information Leaflet

Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
• High level of uric acid in your blood (as seen in tests)
• Bleeding caused by blood disorders

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
• Bruising
• Headache
• Feeling dizzy or like the room is spinning
• Diarrhoea or indigestion
• Feeling sick (nausea)
• Constipation
• Rash
• Itching
• Severe pain and swelling in your joints – these are signs of gout
• Feeling dizzy or light-headed, or having blurred vision – these are signs of low blood pressure
• Nosebleed
• Bleeding after surgery or from cuts (for example while shaving) and wounds more than is normal
• Bleeding from your stomach lining (ulcer)
• Bleeding gums

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
• Allergic reaction – a rash, itching, or a swollen face or swollen lips/tongue may be signs of an allergic reaction.
• Confusion
• Visual problems caused by blood in your eye
• Vaginal bleeding that is heavier, or happens at different times, than your normal period (menstrual) bleeding
• Bleeding into your joints and muscles causing painful swelling
• Blood in your ear
• Internal bleeding, this may cause dizziness or light-headedness

Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly (see details below). By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine. UK Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store Ireland HPRA Pharmacovigilance Earlsfort Terrace IRL
•Dublin 2 Tel: +353 1 6764971 Fax: +353 1 6762517 Website: www.hpra.ie e-mail: [email protected] Malta ADR Reporting Website: www.medicinesauthority.gov.mt/adrportal Patient Information Leaflet

How to Store Brilinta

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the blister and carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. This medicine does not require any special storage conditions. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.