Downsides

If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, do not take any other medications, and have no other medical conditions, you are more likely to experience the following side effects:

• Brilinta's most common side effects are bleeding, shortness of breath (dyspnea), dizziness, and nausea.
• Brilinta has a Boxed Warning about bleeding risks on its label because, like other antiplatelet agents, it can cause significant, sometimes fatal bleeding. Manage bleeding without stopping Brilinta if possible. Brilinta withdrawal raises the risk of future cardiovascular events. Brilinta should not be used in patients who have active pathological bleeding or a history of intracranial (within the skull) hemorrhage. Brilinta should not be started in patients undergoing emergency coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).
• Brilinta can increase the risk of a heart attack, stroke, or death if it is stopped too soon. Brilinta, on the other hand, maybe temporarily stopped five days before surgery.
• Although Brilinta is typically given in conjunction with aspirin to people who have had a heart attack or have a condition known as acute coronary syndrome (ACS) to reduce their risk of having a stroke or other heart problems, dosages of aspirin greater than 100mg/day should NOT be given because this will reduce Brilinta's effectiveness.
• Brilinta should not be used in patients who have an active peptic ulcer, have had an intracranial hemorrhage, or have active bleeding conditions. Brilinta has had limited experience in people with moderate to severe liver disease. Avoid if you have severe liver disease.
• Although there has been no increase in major birth defects reported in case reports, animal studies using more than the maximum recommended dose of Brilinta have revealed an increased risk of structural abnormalities, pup death, and growth delays. Advise women to use adequate contraception to avoid pregnancy while taking Brilinta and to notify their doctor immediately if they become pregnant inadvertently. Breastfeeding is not advised during Brilinta treatment.

Note: People over the age of 65, children, people with certain medical conditions (such as liver or kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, seizures), or people who take other medications are more likely to experience a broader range of side effects.