For most people, taking a new medication may mean switching up your lifestyle a bit and that includes the foods you eat. A food-drug interaction means that a specific nutrient or compound within the food changes the way your body metabolizes the medication, and this can either enhance or reduce the dose your body gets, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. The potential results: an increased risk of side effects, many of which can be dangerous, or the drug not working as it was intended.
Before introducing a medication, ask your pharmacist about any food interactions, including with alcohol, and any adjustments you may have to make to your diet. In this article, we will discuss Brilinta and the foods to avoid while taking it.
What is Brilinta?
Brilinta is a brand of ticagrelor, a medication that prevents platelets in your blood from sticking together to form an unwanted blood clot that could block an artery. Brilinta is used to lower your risk of heart attack, stroke, or death due to a blocked artery or a prior heart attack.
Brilinta is also used to lower your risk of blood clots if you have coronary artery disease (decreased blood flow to the heart) and have been treated with stents to open clogged arteries.
Brilinta is also used to lower your risk of a first heart attack or stroke if you have decreased blood flow to the heart. Brilinta is also used to lower the risk of stroke and death in adults with a blockage or decreased blood flow in an artery that supplies blood to the brain.
Brilinta comes as a tablet that’s taken by mouth twice a day. It’s available in two strengths: 60 mg and 90 mg.
How should I take Brilinta?
Brilinta comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food two times a day. Take Brilinta at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take ticagrelor exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
If you are unable to swallow Brilinta tablets, you may crush the tablet and mix it with water. Drink the mixture immediately, then refill the glass with water and stir and again drink the mixture immediately. If you have a nasogastric (NG) tube, your doctor or pharmacist will explain how to prepare Brilinta to give through an NG tube.
Brilinta will help prevent serious problems with your heart and blood vessels only as long as you take the medication. Continue to take Brilinta even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Brilinta without talking to your doctor. If you stop taking Brilinta, there is a higher risk that you may have a heart attack or stroke. If you have a stent, there is also a higher risk that you could develop a blood clot in the stent if you stop taking Brilinta too soon.
How long should you take Brilinta?
You’ll usually need to take Brilinta for up to 12 months. Your doctor may want you to continue taking it after the 12-month course has finished. If so, you’ll take Brilinta at a lower dose of 60mg a day for up to 3 years.
Foods to avoid while taking Brilinta
There are several foods and beverages you should avoid while taking Brilinta, they include:
Alcohol: Avoid alcoholic drinks and food made with alcohol while taking Brilinta because it can increase your risk of bleeding when used on its own. If you use them together, you may be at greater risk of serious bleeding.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice: It’s best to avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking Brilinta because grapefruit juice can inhibit (block) one of the enzymes (3A4) needed to break down Brilinta for excretion from the body, this can cause other serious and sometimes long-lasting effects of excess Brilinta in the body and increase your risk for side effects such as bleeding.
In addition, avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding or injury. Use extra care to prevent bleeding while shaving or brushing your teeth. Also avoid using medicines for pain, fever, swelling, or cold and flu symptoms. They may contain ingredients similar to aspirin (such as salicylates, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen). Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of the drug which can increase your risk of bleeding.
Can I take Coffee with Brilinta?
Yes, studies indicate that in patients taking Brilinta for secondary prevention after myocardial infarction, coffee and caffeine intake appeared to be safe, with no apparent increase in atherothrombotic events or clinically significant arrhythmias.
