WARNING: (A) BLEEDING RISK, (B) ASPIRIN DOSE AND BRILINTA EFFECTIVENESS
A. BLEEDING RISK
BRILINTA, like other antiplatelet agents, can cause significant, sometimes fatal bleeding
Do not use BRILINTA in patients
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BRILINTA is indicated to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or a history of myocardial infarction. For at least the first 12 months
following ACS, it is superior to clopidogrel. BRILINTA also reduces the risk of stent thrombosis in patients who have been stented for treatment of ACS.
BRILINTA is indicated to reduce the risk of a first MI or stroke in
patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) at high risk for such events. While use is not limited to this setting, the efficacy of ticagrelor was established in a population with type 2 diabetes.
PLATO was a randomized, international, double-blind, controlled comparative study in patients with ACS hospitalized with or without ST-segment elevation, with an onset of symptoms within 24 hours (N=18,624). Study period was 12 months, with median duration of therapy of 277 days. BRILINTA and clopidogrel were studied with aspirin and other standard therapies.1,2
The PEGASUS-TIMI 54 trial compared BRILINTA (90 mg twice daily or 60 mg twice daily) vs placebo, each given with low-dose aspirin, for the prevention of thrombotic CV events (CV death, MI, or stroke) in 21,162 patients ≥50 years of age with a history of MI (1 to 3 years prior to randomization). Patients also had at least 1 risk factor for thrombotic CV events (age ≥65 years, diabetes mellitus requiring medication, at least 1 other prior MI, evidence of multivessel coronary artery disease, or creatinine clearance <60 mL/min). Only the 60-mg dose strength is approved for use in patients with a history of MI 1 year after an ACS event. Patients were treated for at least 12 months and up to 48 months with a median follow-up time of 33 months.4
The THEMIS trial was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of ticagrelor versus placebo, on top of low-dose (75 to 150 mg) aspirin. Patients ≥50 years with type 2 diabetes receiving anti-hyperglycemic medications for at least 6 months, and with stable CAD (ie, history of PCI, CABG, or angiographic stenosis ≥50% in at least 1 coronary artery) were enrolled. Patients with known prior MI or stroke were excluded.1,5
In an observational real-world comparative effectiveness study evaluating 45,073 consecutive patients with acute MI and discharged on clopidogrel or ticagrelor using data from the SWEDEHEART Registry between 2010 and 2013. The analysis was adjusted for patients’ age, sex, pre-existing comorbidities, ACS presentation characteristics, in-hospital course, and discharge medications. In the analysis of MI, events during the 28-day period after discharge were not counted as early events may have been due to transfers between hospitals or coding practices.3
BRILINTA is indicated to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or a history of myocardial infarction. For at least the first 12 months following ACS, it is superior to clopidogrel. BRILINTA also reduces the risk of stent thrombosis in patients who have been stented for treatment of ACS.
BRILINTA is indicated to reduce the risk of a first MI or stroke in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) at high risk for such events. While use is not limited to this setting, the efficacy of ticagrelor was established in a population with type 2 diabetes.
BRILINTA is indicated to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with acute ischemic stroke (NIH Stroke Scale ≤5) or high-risk transient ischemic attack (TIA).
In the management of ACS, initiate BRILINTA treatment with a 180-mg loading dose. Administer 90 mg twice daily during the first year after an ACS event. After one year administer 60 mg twice daily.
In patients with CAD but no prior stroke or MI, administer 60 mg twice daily.
In patients with acute ischemic stroke or high-risk TIA, initiate treatment with a 180-mg loading dose of BRILINTA and then continue with 90 mg twice daily for up to 30 days. The treatment effect accrued early in the course of therapy. Use BRILINTA with a loading dose of aspirin (300 to 325 mg)
Use BRILINTA with a daily maintenance dose of aspirin of 75-100 mg.
Please read full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS, and Medication Guide.
References: 1. BRILINTA® (ticagrelor) [package insert]. Wilmington, DE: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP; 2020. 2. Wallentin L, Becker RC, Budaj A, et al; for the PLATO Investigators. Ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in patients with acute coronary syndromes. N Engl J Med. 2009;361(11):1045-1057 and Supplementary Appendix. 3. Sahlén A, Varenhorst C, Lagerqvist B, et al. Outcomes in patients treated with ticagrelor or clopidogrel after acute myocardial infarction: experiences from SWEDEHEART registry. Eur Heart J. 2016;37(44):3335-3342. 4. Bonaca MP, Bhatt DL, Cohen M, et al, for the PEGASUS-TIMI 54 Steering Committee and Investigators. Long-term use of ticagrelor in patients with prior myocardial infarction. N Engl J Med. 2015;372(19):1791-1800. 5. Steg PG, Bhatt DL, Simon T, et al; for the THEMIS Steering Committee and Investigators. Ticagrelor in patients with stable coronary disease and diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2019;381(14):1309-1320.
References: 1. BRILINTA® (ticagrelor) [package insert]. Wilmington, DE: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP; 2020. 2. Wallentin L, Becker RC, Budaj A, et al; for the PLATO Investigators. Ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in patients with acute coronary syndromes. N Engl J Med. 2009;361(11):1045-1057 and Supplementary Appendix. 3. Sahlén A, Varenhorst C, Lagerqvist B, et al. Outcomes in patients treated with ticagrelor or clopidogrel after acute myocardial infarction: experiences from SWEDEHEART registry. Eur Heart J. 2016;37(44):3335-3342. 4. Bonaca MP, Bhatt DL, Cohen M, et al, for the PEGASUS-TIMI 54 Steering Committee and Investigators. Long-term use of ticagrelor in patients with prior myocardial infarction. N Engl J Med. 2015;372(19):1791-1800.
References: 1. BRILINTA® (ticagrelor) [package insert]. Wilmington, DE: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP; 2020. 2. Steg PG, Bhatt DL, Simon T, et al; for the THEMIS Steering Committee and Investigators. Ticagrelor in patients with stable coronary disease and diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2019;381(14):1309-1320. 3. Fingertip Formulary.® July 11, 2020.
ACS=acute coronary syndrome; CV=cardiovascular; MI=myocardial infarction; PEGASUS=Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Prior Heart Attack Using Ticagrelor Compared to Placebo on a Background of Aspirin; PLATO=PLATelet inhibition and patient Outcomes; SWEDEHEART=Swedish Web System for Enhancement and Development of Evidence-Based Care in Heart Disease Evaluated According to Recommended Therapies; THEMIS=Effect of Ticagrelor on Health Outcomes in DiabEtes Mellitus Patients Intervention Study; T2D=type 2 diabetes.
ACS=acute coronary syndrome; CV=cardiovascular; MI=myocardial infarction; PEGASUS=Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Prior Heart Attack Using Ticagrelor Compared to Placebo on a Background of Aspirin; PLATO=PLATelet inhibition and patient Outcomes; SWEDEHEART=Swedish Web System for Enhancement and Development of Evidence-Based Care in Heart Disease Evaluated According to Recommended Therapies.
ACS=acute coronary syndrome; ARR=absolute risk reduction; ARI=absolute risk increase; CABG=coronary artery bypass graft; CI=confidence interval; Hb=hemoglobin; Hct=hematocrit; HR= hazard ratio; K-M=Kaplan-Meier; PLATO=PLATelet inhibition and patient Outcomes; RRR=relative risk reduction.