If you have certain types of heart problems, your doctor might suggest Brilinta as a treatment option for you. It’s a prescription drug used to lower the risk of the following in adults:
- heart attack, stroke, or death if they’ve had a heart attack or have acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
- blood clots if they have ACS and have a stent
- heart attack or stroke if they have coronary artery disease (CAD)
- stroke if they have had an acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
The active ingredient in Brilinta is ticagrelor. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work. Brilinta belongs to a group of drugs known as antiplatelets. It comes as a tablet that you’ll swallow.
This article describes the dosages of Brilinta, as well as its strengths and how to take it. To learn more about Brilinta, see this in-depth article.
Note: This article covers Brilinta’s usual dosages, which are provided by the drugmaker. But when using Brilinta, always take the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
The information below describes Brilinta’s dosages for its approved uses.
Note: This chart highlights the basics of Brilinta’s dosages in milligrams (mg). Be sure to read on for more detail.
| Condition | Loading dose* | Starting dosage | Maintenance dosage |
| acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or prior heart attack† | 180 mg | 90 mg twice per day for 1 year | 60 mg twice per day |
| coronary artery disease (CAD)† | none | 60 mg twice per day | 60 mg twice per day |
| acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)†‡ | 180 mg | 90 mg twice per day for up to 30 days | none |
* A loading dose is a higher dose of the drug you’ll take at the beginning of treatment. It helps the medication work faster.
† For this use, Brilinta is typically given with a regular, maintenance dose of aspirin. The dosage of aspirin will be 75 mg to 100 mg per day.
‡ For this use, Brilinta is typically given with a loading dose of aspirin. The dosage of aspirin will be 300 mg to 325 mg one time.
What is Brilinta’s form?
Brilinta comes as a tablet that you’ll swallow.
What strengths does Brilinta come in?
Brilinta comes in strengths of 60 mg and 90 mg.
What are the usual dosages of Brilinta?
Depending on your condition, your doctor may start you on a loading dose of Brilinta. A loading dose taken one time at the beginning of treatment helps the medication work faster. After the loading dose, you’ll take a different dosage of Brilinta. Your dosage of Brilinta and the length of time you’ll take it depend on the condition you have.
The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for preventing cardiovascular events
Brilinta’s dosage for preventing cardiovascular events may vary depending on other health conditions you may have. (Cardiovascular events relate to the heart and blood vessels.)
People who have ACS or have had a heart attack
If you have ACS, your doctor will likely prescribe a loading dose of 180 mg. Likewise, if you’ve had a heart attack, they’ll likely prescribe a loading dose of 180 mg. You’ll take your Brilinta loading dose one time.
For your regular, maintenance dosage, you’ll take 90 mg of Brilinta twice per day for 1 year. Your Brilinta dosage after 1 year will be 60 mg twice per day.
Typically, you’ll take Brilinta with a maintenance dose of aspirin. Your aspirin dosage will be 75 mg to 100 mg once per day.
People who have CAD but never had a stroke or heart attack
If you have CAD but never had a stroke or heart attack, you’ll take 60 mg of Brilinta twice per day.
You’ll likely also take a regular, maintenance dose of aspirin. Your aspirin dosage will be 75 mg to 100 mg once per day.
People who have had a stroke or TIA
If you’ve had a stroke or TIA, your doctor will likely prescribe a loading dose of 180 mg. You’ll take your Brilinta loading dose one time.
They may also recommend that you take a loading dose of aspirin. Your aspirin dosage will be 300 mg to 325 mg one time.
Your regular, maintenance dosage of Brilinta will be 90 mg twice per day for up to 30 days. You’ll likely also take a maintenance dose of aspirin. Your aspirin dosage will be 75 mg to 100 mg once per day.
Dosage for preventing blood clots after stent placement
Brilinta’s dosage for stent placement may vary depending on other health conditions you may have.
People who have ACS or have had a heart attack
If you have ACS or ever had a heart attack, your doctor will likely prescribe a loading dose of 180 mg. You’ll take your Brilinta loading dose one time.
Your regular, maintenance dosage of Brilinta will be 90 mg twice per day for 1 year. After 1 year, your dosage of Brilinta will be 60 mg twice per day.
You’ll typically take Brilinta with a maintenance dose of aspirin. Your aspirin dosage will be 75 mg to 100 mg once per day.
People who have CAD but never had a stroke or heart attack
If you have CAD but never had a stroke or heart attack, you’ll take 60 mg of Brilinta twice per day. You’ll likely also take 75 mg to 100 mg of aspirin once per day.
People who have had a stroke or TIA
If you’ve had a stroke or TIA, your doctor will likely prescribe a loading dose of 180 mg. You’ll take your Brilinta loading dose one time.
They may also recommend that you take a loading dose of aspirin. Your aspirin dosage will be 300 mg to 325 mg one time.
Your regular, maintenance dosage of Brilinta will be 90 mg twice per day for up to 30 days. You’ll also likely take a maintenance dose of aspirin. Your aspirin dosage will be 75 mg to 100 mg once per day.
Dosage for preventing stroke
Brilinta’s dosage for preventing stroke may vary depending on other health conditions you may have.
People who have ACS or have had a heart attack
If you have ACS or ever had a heart attack, your doctor will likely prescribe a loading dose of 180 mg. You’ll take your Brilinta loading dose one time.
Your regular, maintenance dosage of Brilinta will be 90 mg twice per day for 1 year. After 1 year, your dosage of Brilinta will be 60 mg twice per day.
You’ll typically take Brilinta with a maintenance dose of aspirin. Your aspirin dosage will be 75 mg to 100 mg once per day.
People who have CAD but never had a stroke or heart attack
If you have CAD but never had a stroke or heart attack, you’ll take 60 mg of Brilinta twice per day. You’ll likely also take aspirin 75 mg to 100 mg once per day.
People who have had a stroke or TIA
If you’ve had a stroke or TIA, your doctor will likely prescribe a loading dose of 180 mg. You’ll take your Brilinta loading dose one time.
They may also recommend that you take a loading dose of aspirin. Your aspirin dosage will be 300 mg to 325 mg one time.
Your regular, maintenance dosage of Brilinta will be 90 mg twice per day for up to 30 days. You’ll also likely take Brilinta with a maintenance dose of aspirin. Your aspirin dosage will be 75 mg to 100 mg once per day.
Dosage for preventing heart attack and stroke
Brilinta’s dosage for preventing heart attack and stroke may vary depending on other health conditions you may have.
People who have ACS or have had a heart attack
If you have ACS or ever had a heart attack, your doctor will likely prescribe a loading dose of 180 mg. You’ll take your Brilinta loading dose one time.
Your regular, maintenance dosage of Brilinta will be 90 mg twice per day for 1 year. After 1 year, your dosage of Brilinta will be 60 mg twice per day.
You’ll typically take Brilinta with a maintenance dose of aspirin. Your aspirin dosage will be 75 mg to 100 mg once per day.
People who have CAD but never had a stroke or heart attack
If you have CAD but never had a stroke or heart attack, you’ll take 60 mg of Brilinta twice per day. You’ll likely also take 75 mg to 100 mg of aspirin once per day.
People who have had a stroke or TIA
If you’ve had a stroke or TIA, your doctor will likely prescribe a loading dose of 180 mg. You’ll take your Brilinta loading dose one time.
They may also recommend that you take a loading dose of aspirin. Your aspirin dosage will be 300 mg to 325 mg one time.
Your regular, maintenance dosage of Brilinta will be 90 mg twice per day for up to 30 days. You’ll also likely take Brilinta with a maintenance dose of aspirin. Your aspirin dosage will be 75 mg to 100 mg once per day.
Is Brilinta taken long term?
Yes, Brilinta may be taken as a long-term treatment. But this depends on what condition your doctor is using it to treat. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
If you missed one dose of Brilinta, skip the missed dose. But be sure to take your next dose at its scheduled time. Do not double up on doses to make up for a missed dose.
If you missed two doses of Brilinta, call your doctor right away to see what they recommend.
If you need help remembering to take your dose of Brilinta on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
The dosage of Brilinta you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:
- the type and severity of the condition you’re taking the drug to treat
- other conditions you may have
- other medications you may take
You should take your dose of Brilinta at the same time each day. You can take it with food or without.
If you have trouble swallowing tablets, you can mix them in water, as follows. For one dose:
- Crush the tablet and then mix it with water.
- Drink the entire mixture right away.
- Refill the empty glass with water and then stir it.
- Drink the contents in the glass to make sure you’ve taken all the medication.
If you still have trouble swallowing the tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication.
For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Brilinta, see this article.
Accessible drug containers and labels
If you find it hard to read the prescription label on your medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:
- have large print or use braille
- feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
You can check if your current pharmacy offers these accessibility features. If they don’t, your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that do.
If you have trouble opening medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to supply Brilinta in an easy-open container. They may also have tips to help make it simpler to open the drug’s container.
Do not take more Brilinta than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to serious side effects.
Symptoms of overdose
Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:
- bleeding
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- ventricular pauses (a problem with the heart’s rhythm)
What to do in case you take too much Brilinta
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Brilinta. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use the online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or a local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below are answers to some questions commonly asked about Brilinta’s dosage.
If I have kidney problems, will I need to take a special dosage of Brilinta?
It’s not likely that you’d need a special dosage. The drugmaker of Brilinta doesn’t have a recommendation for kidney dosing (sometimes called renal dosing).
If you have questions about taking Brilinta with any health conditions you have, talk with your doctor.
What dosage of Brilinta will I take if I have a heart attack?
A heart attack is one type of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The Brilinta ACS dose starts with a loading dose of 180 mg, which you’ll take one time. Your regular, maintenance dosage will be 90 mg twice per day for 1 year. After 1 year of treatment, your maintenance dosage will be 60 mg twice per day.
Ask your doctor if you’d like to discuss your dosage of Brilinta in more detail.
The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by the drugmaker. If your doctor recommends Brilinta for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
Remember, you should not change your dosage of Brilinta without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Brilinta exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.
Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Would a different dosage increase or decrease my risk of side effects from Brilinta?
- Will my dosage of Brilinta change if I’m taking other medications in combination with it?
- Will my dosage of Brilinta change if it’s not working well enough for me?
To learn more about Brilinta, see these articles:
To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
