Know your medication, one dose at a time! By Dr Prashant Bhalekar
Ticagrelor is a platelet aggregation inhibitor. It slows or stops platelets from sticking to blood vessel walls or injured tissues. It reduces the risk of stroke, heart attack or death in people who have had a heart attack or have experienced chest pain.
Rx
It is administered in the form of an oral tablet and suspension. There is no intravenous preparation.
- Loading dose: 180 mg orally once
- Maintenance dose: 90 mg orally twice a day for 1 year in acute coronary
- Maintenance dose after 1 year: 60 mg orally twice a day
Advantages
As compared to other drugs, ticagrelor acts rapidly and reaches its peak concentration after about 1.5 hours. It reduces the chance of myocardial infarction (heart attack)/ stroke.
Side effects
Major or minor bleeding, shortness of breath, increase in levels of serum uric acid.
Who should take ticagrelor?
You will be advised to take ticagrelor if you have
- experienced chest pain
- have had a stroke or heart attack in the past
- you are at risk of a stroke or heart attack
Caution
Ticagrelor should be avoided by:
- Anyone with a known hypersensitivity to ticagrelor
- People who have a history of bleeding in the brain or a bleeding stomach ulcer
- People have severe liver, kidney or respiratory (asthama) problems
- Lactating mothers or pregnant women
Note: Ticagrelor reduces the action of the
clot-forming cells (platelets) which aids wound healing. Inform your doctor or dentist that you take ticagrelor before receiving any medical or dental care or surgery.
Dr Prashant Bhalekar is a Consultant Physician.
