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How long should Brilinta be held/stopped before surgery?

Medically reviewed by Leigh Ann Anderson, PharmD. Last updated on Nov 6, 2024.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

Key Points

Brilinta is approved by the FDA to:

Your doctor will also usually prescribe a daily dose of aspirin to reduce the chance of a blood clot forming. Using Brilinta and aspirin together is called “dual antiplatelet therapy”.

Related questions

Does Brilinta have a warning about bleeding?

Yes, Brilinta carries a Boxed Warning about bleeding risk in its package insert. It states:

Bottom Line

If you are having surgery, your doctor may instruct you to stop taking Brilinta 5 days before your procedure. This will help to lower your chance for bleeding.

Always follow your doctor’s directions on when to stop and start taking Brilinta again. If you stop taking Brilinta too soon, it can increase your risk of a heart attack, stroke or death. However, Brilinta can also increase the risk of severe bleeding that might lead to death.

Ask your doctor how long you’ll need to take these drugs and do not stop taking them without talking to your cardiologist first.

This is not all the information you need to know about Brilinta (generic name: ticagrelor) for safe and effective use. Review the full Brilinta information here, and discuss this information with your doctor or other health care provider.

References

Read next

What pain medication can I take with Brilinta?

If you take Brilinta, do not take extra aspirin or NSAIDs like ibuprofen, naproxen or celecoxib for pain relief unless directed by your doctor. This may increase your risk for serious bleeding. If you need a mild pain reliever, it is usually safe to take acetaminophen (Tylenol) with Brilinta. Check with your doctor first. Continue reading

Is Brilinta a blood thinner or antiplatelet?

Brilinta (generic name: ticagrelor) is an oral antiplatelet prescription tablet for adults that is usually taken twice a day, in the morning and the evening. It is classified as a P2Y12 inhibitor and works by making your platelets less sticky to help prevent blood clots from forming. Continue reading

How long does it take for Brilinta to work?

The manufacturer of Brilinta, AstraZeneca, has shown that platelet inhibition occurs within 30 minutes of taking a loading dose (two 90 mg tablets). However, effects can be variable and further antiplatelet therapy may be needed in some patients based on therapeutic response. Continue reading

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