... is experiencing severe itching, some dizziness, difficulty breathing, nausea and just overall not feeling well on a daily basis. He wants to discontinue taking the Brilinta but the cardio doctor said he has to take it for a year. It's been about 6 months now and he's going crazy, he says he can't stand it any longer. Are there any more of you out there experiencing the same problem? And if so what have you done about it?
My husband has been taking Brilinta since October 2012 after have two stents placed in his heart. He
Question posted by Sluggulchlady on 13 April 2013
Last updated on 4 August 2024
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
18 Answers Page 2
jojahunt
17 June 2013
I've been on Brilinta since November, 2011, due to having severe allergic reactions to Plavix and Effient. Had severe allergic reactions to Plavix and Effient and was unable to be desensitized to either of them. Had severe allergic reactions to Brilinta as well, but was able to be desensitized (for the most part) to it. The only reaction I still have, and will continue to have, is the shortness of breath (even when simply sitting).
Your husband could look into the desensitizing of Brilinta, but would have to be off of it for at least 5 days first, then have the desensitization done. The itching can make you feel like you're going insane, the dizziness is scary as all get out, the overall not feeling well gets tiresome, and the difficulty breathing/shortness of breath is a pain. People don't realize that those aren't "side effects" of the blood thinner, but are actual allergic reactions... and can thus be deadly.
I have to remain on Brilinta FOR LIFE, and am not looking forward to never being able to breath properly (and being careful of even a tiny scratch due to the heavy bleeding and inability to clot quickly). I highly suggest, if your husband's cardiologist will not look into him being desensitized to NOW, that he makes sure if they ever attempt to place him on blood thinners again, that he go through the desensitization first.
I even had to list being allergic to Plavix and Effient on all my medical records (doctors, hospitals, pharmacy) as to avoid any future allergic life altering reactions. Good luck to him, and I know his pain...
Sluggulchlady
17 June 2013
Thank you for Your response. It was very interesting. We never heard of desensitizing. What is it?
jojahunt
21 June 2013
Desensitization is usually done by an immunologist. It's the introduction of the medication, in either rapid or slow rates, from a miniscule amount up until the patient reaches the doctor's prescribed amount. Medical staff (immunologist and nurses) monitor your reactions to the medication, ie: shortness of breath, dizziness, rash, heart palpitations, etc., as well as the patient letting them know what's happening to them. The desensitization is either continued or discontinued based on how your body is reacting to the introduction of the medication.
This practice is done with many medications, but it was difficult to find an immunologist who would do it when I had it done. The cardiologist I had at the time was the one who was able to locate the immunologist, who also worked through Loyola University Hospital, in Chicago.
Desensitiaztion was attempted with the Plavix, I had reactions within the third increase in the med. Went back a second time to attempt the desensitization to Effient; same results as Plavix. Couldn't have the cardiac procedure done until I could find a anticoagulant my body could tolerate.
Brilinta had just recently been approved by the FDA, and the immunologist was the one who kept current on my case. He called to set up the desensitization for Brilinta... and it was a SUCCESS, except for the shortness of breath issue.
Sluggulchlady
22 June 2013
Thank you for the explanation. It was very helpful. I don't know if you read the reply I posted to Tito about my husband stopping his Simvastatin to see if it would make any difference in how he felt. Simvastatin alone has lots of terrible side effects. It did help somewhat but eventually he will have to begin taking it again. Thanks again.
Ruth Muir
3 May 2013
I just recently started taking Brilinta after 2nd stent implant. Took Plavix and Effient with 1st stent and had very severe reactions to both. I am having the difficulty breathing and a little dizziness but have not noticed itching. Has your husband tried Benadryl for it? Would certainly suggest calling cardiologist first to make sure they can be taken together. I take it for allergies and have not had a problem. My doctor said I would only have to take the Brilinta for a month so I don't yet know any further treatment plan with other blood thinners.
Delila
13 April 2013
Hi, difficulty breathing is listed as a severe side effect and needs to be investigated asap! Also, the other side effects need looking at. Please call his doctor to discuss this.
Sluggulchlady
13 April 2013
Thank you for getting back to me so quickly. My husband has discussed his shortness of breath with his doctor and the doc doesn't seem concerned. He said if my husband hasn't had to call 911 or gone to the ER then just continue doing what he's doing and if it gets severe enough to do the above then it's a problem. And there seems like there is nothing he can do to relieve the itching which is driving him crazy. And he only experiences the nausea occasionally, not everyday. No vomiting at all... yet.
Delila
14 April 2013
I'm a bit concerned about that advice. People have different levels of tolerance and ideas of how serious something may or may not be. If another patient was experiencing the same breathing difficulties you husband is, they may decide to go to the ER. You husband may be able to tolerate it, but that doesn't mean it is not serious. Is there an alternative medication that can be prescribed?
littltub
28 June 2013
my husband is a check list of side effects after 3 weeks of taking this drug. It would be good for you to educate you selves since your Dr does not seem to be taking your issues seriously. tough reading but a excellent place to start is the Physicians Desk Reference. My husband had a new stint 3 weeks ago, the best part was finding out his 2 old ones are totally clear! Have you been told that if you can keep your husbands stints "clean" for 6 months that the chances of any problems are minimal. Good luck to you both!
TONYAPPCO
8 June 2015
I've been taking Billinta for five months , I've experience shortness of breath and in poor health , I told my doctor and she took me off right away , she had other complaint from patients also. Hoping to feel better soon.
theknot
19 Nov 2015
I also had difficulties breathing, so i stopped taking the brillinta without consulting my cardiologist, 3 weeks later i had a massive MI, i am now tryinhg to survive with the 55% of my heart that it didnt do severe damage to... listen to your cardiologist and/or get more than one opinion... btw I just turned 51 in oct of 2015. But also know thaat i have severe CAD, CROHNS and LUPUS. I HOPE my stupidity saves a life ... sincerely theknot
kenbarber
30 July 2016
do not just stop taking it.
do hunt another doctor.
cpitts
16 Aug 2016
I just had my 6th stent put in this june never had problems after the others. But they gave me the brillia and started have problems in recovery.room. have been having issues since in and out of the hospital went back in july 16th because of breathing issues and what felt like mild seizures come to fine out my heart rate keep dropping very low even stopping for 4 seconds. Was told i had to have a pacemaker put in i am only 57 yrs old which was done last week and even after that i still was having real bad breathing issues. Finally the nurse looked over everything in my chart. And told me to stop taking the brilia. It may be the problem to go back on plavix which i did 2 days ago i an breathing better but not great.
alohakuam
1 July 2017
I was installed with 2 stents, on Brilina for 3 weeks, began experiencing extreme itching, slight difficulty breathing, irregular heart beat but primary concern was I began breaking out with rash in many parts of my body. My Doc took me off the Brilina and replaced with Effient (10mg). All my symptoms disappeared. I do daily hiking up mediam difficult trail for 90 minutes. If Brilina does not work, ask Dr about Effoent. Good luck!
BigTonyT63
6 Oct 2017
I recently had three stents put in and of course one of the meds was brilinta after 1 week on it I broke out in hives head to toe with severe itching then after the third week I noticed my breathing was terrible shortness of breath was horrible went back to doctor today for follow up and told her about this her comments were that that is one of brilintas bad side effect ! I’m like really why would you prescribe a medicine that’s known to cause shortness of breath after someone’s been through a heart attack. So she said she’s putting me on plavix from what I’ve read it’s no better.
Garthkitty
30 Oct 2018
If a doctor tells you he's not concerned till you call 911. Dump him now. I am a licensed health care professional and I would have left him a while ago. There are many good cardiologist. Call the hospital he works out of and ask for patient services. Tell them what he said and ask for serious recommendations of good caring docs or your gone
Related topics
pruritus, nausea/vomiting, heart, brilinta, breathing
Further information
- Brilinta uses and safety info
- Brilinta prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Brilinta (detailed)
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