Brilinta and Fatigue: What Users Say

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 12, 2019

For Heart Attack "I've been on Brilinta for 7 months and am seeing the doctor tomorrow to demand I be taken off of it, after another visit to the ER today. I had a stent put in 7 months ago and have been on 90 mg twice a day. Side effects are atrocious. Swelling in legs and arms, disturbed sleep, fatigued so greatly I have to just...rest... I particularly feel it in my legs and back of thighs. Stiffness when I awake. The fatigue is extreme. What I find disturbing is I report the pain, the swelling and exceptional fatigue and I am told 'your medication wouldn't cause that', yet when one reads the side effects and these reviews there it is. We often hear of side effects and think 'well it happens to a minority of people,' but with Brilinta I'm convinced it is a majority who experience unacceptable side effects. If I can't spend time with family, can't work properly and get poor sleep...those are things that stress you to have another heart attack surely."

• Fra...
• November 8, 2020

For Acute Coronary Syndrome "After a stent, I started Brilinta 2X90mg and 81mg aspirin. Shortness of breath, fatigue, and palpitations were overwhelming. After 6 weeks, my doctor finally agreed to change to Plavix. I have slowly recovered and am feeling much better now."

• Nig...
• November 3, 2016

For Acute Coronary Syndrome "Had bypass 20 years ago. In August 2016, had to have 2 stents and was put on Brilinta. Short of breath most of the time. But fatigue is a huge problem. MD says if caused by Brilinta, maybe time to try Plavix. Not sure if that will be any better. All these meds have such horrible side effects!"

• bar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 20, 2016

For Acute Coronary Syndrome "While sleeping, I experience nighttime shortness of breath bad enough to wake me up gasping for air. Now I know why: Brilinta. Very fatigued also. Takes all morning to get going. Some rear-thigh cramps at night also. Other than that, I suppose it's working to keep me from having a clot form. My surgeon says he'll take me off Brilinta on my first anniversary date of heart attack; yeah!"

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 14, 2019

For Heart Attack "I had terrible side effects from this drug, Brilinta. Aside from feeling exhausted, I was unable to breathe and was gasping for breath. I felt sluggish and tired all of the time. I could not take a deep breath. It felt like asthma. After a month of being switched to prasugrel (Effient), I felt much better and more normal."

• Sal...
• August 2, 2017

For Acute Coronary Syndrome "Had a heart attack in Nov 2016, was put on Brilinta twice a day. I too have experienced fatigue, bruising, blurred vision, and shortness of breath. It takes me a long time to get started in the morning, then about 3:00 pm... I'm ready to nap but can't because I work."

• Ms ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2017

For Prevention of Atherothrombotic Events "I had three stents put in on July 17, 2017. The surgery was very easy and successful. I was immediately put on Plavix, which did not agree with me. I was then put on Brilinta and am doing okay with it, it seems. However, I do get dizzy, feel fatigued, and bruise horribly. My worst problem is being unable to take anything for pain for my arthritis and spinal stenosis. I sustained pinched nerves on C7 during the surgery, and not being able to get a cortisone shot or even take an Aleve for pain and inflammation has literally made my life miserable. I was not told anything about having to expect these side effects either. I’m grateful for the stents, but how can I improve the quality of my life while staying on this blood thinner for a year?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 26, 2017

For Prevention of Atherothrombotic Events "I had 1 stent placed in March 2017. Put on Brilinta 90 mg twice a day with baby aspirin in the morning. Shortness of breath started a week and a half into cardio rehab. Was told as long as I could handle the shortness of breath, it was more important to continue taking the drug. I called the cardiologist about an inhaler. This time I am told that is for my primary to deal with. I am tired always, nap almost daily, and now am anemic. The anemia adds to the shortness of breath and fatigue. I have also developed PICA. All I want to eat are dry rolled oats. I assume for the starch because it sure isn't for the taste. I can't wait for my one year to be over. The upper and lower GI I now have coming up are not what I planned on."

• Bar...
• April 19, 2022

For Acute Coronary Syndrome "I have 27 stents. Recently, I was put on Brilinta and feel like I could sleep all day. I have shortness of breath. I have heartburn with this terribly. I thought it was my imagination until I read the reviews, and wow, I am not crazy after all. I just hope the side effects get better as I work a job, and the fatigue is awful. I was on Plavix, but the blockages kept coming. I like Plavix better, but hopefully the side effects will lighten up."

• Yod...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 7, 2023

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "This is a terrible medication in my opinion, with ramifications that go well beyond lack of energy, breathing problems, and dietary restrictions. The company even advises users not to shave with a blade. That should tell you enough. There are also a multitude of medications for which Brilinta is contraindicated. If you suffer from sciatic pain, the only medication you can use is OxyCodone or a similar narcotic with terrible chances of becoming addicted. Prescribing doctors need to do much more research prior to writing a script for this med. Even many pharmacologists warn about Brilinta."