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Medically Approved

Brilinta dosage: A detailed guide

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Form and strengthsDosageFAQHow it’s takenCouponOverdoseAsk your doctorBoxed warnings
Doctors prescribe Brilinta to lower the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with certain conditions. You take it by mouth twice per day.
Medically reviewed by Christina Bookwalter PharmD, MS MEd, BCPS, BCACP
Updated on

This article describes Brilinta’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for Brilinta. If you want to know more about Brilinta, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.

Brilinta is a brand-name medication that comes as an oral tablet. It isn’t available in a generic version.

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Boxed warnings

This drug has boxed warnings about the risk of bleeding and decreased effectiveness when taken with certain doses of aspirin. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

See the end of this article for more information about these warnings.

Form and strengths of Brilinta

Brilinta comes as follows:

  • Form: an oral tablet, which you take by swallowing
  • Strengths: 60 milligrams (mg) and 90 mg

Dosage of Brilinta

This article describes the recommended dosages for Brilinta. The drugmaker provides these dosages.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of Brilinta without your doctor’s recommendation.

Usual recommended dosages of Brilinta in adults

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of Brilinta based on the condition you have.

Dosage for preventing heart attacks, strokes, and death

ConditionLoading doseMaintenance dosage
acute coronary syndrome or history of heart attack180 mg one time90 mg twice per day for the first year, followed by 60 mg twice per day after that
coronary artery disease with no history of stroke or heart attacknone60 mg twice per day
ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)180 mg one time90 mg twice per day up to 30 days

Missed dose of Brilinta

If you forgot to take your dose of Brilinta, skip it and take your next dose as scheduled. Do not take two doses at a time to make up for the missed dose. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re unsure if you should take your missed dose.

For tips on how to plan your doses of Brilinta and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

  • downloading a reminder app on your phone
  • setting an alarm
  • putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Brilinta and its dosage.

Does Brilinta have a 90-mg once-per-day dosage?

No, the manufacturer doesn’t recommend a 90-mg once-per-day Brilinta dosage. You should take Brilinta exactly as your doctor prescribes. Talk with your doctor if you have any questions about your dosage.

Is Brilinta taken long term?

It depends. Doctors typically prescribe Brilinta as a long-term treatment if you have:

  • acute coronary syndrome
  • history of a heart attack
  • coronary artery disease

If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

If you’re prescribed Brilinta for an acute ischemic stroke or a TIA, you’ll only take Brilinta for up to 30 days. If you have questions about how long you should take Brilinta, talk with your doctor.

How Brilinta is taken

You’ll swallow Brilinta tablet twice per day.

If you have trouble swallowing Brilinta, you can crush the tablet, mix it with water, and drink the mixture.

If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

Brilinta coupon

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Overdose of Brilinta

It’s important that you do not take more Brilinta than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of Brilinta overdose

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

What to do if you take too much Brilinta

If you think you’ve taken too much Brilinta, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for Brilinta. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of Brilinta without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take Brilinta exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

  • How long will I need to take Brilinta?
  • What is the purpose of a loading dosage of Brilinta?
  • Will I need to take other medications with Brilinta for my condition?

Boxed warnings for Brilinta

This drug has boxed warnings about the risk of bleeding and decreased effectiveness when taken with certain doses of aspirin. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Bleeding risk: Brilinta can cause significant, sometimes life threatening bleeding. For this reason, you should not take Brilinta if you have a history of a brain bleed or bleeding disorders. Do not start Brilinta if you’re having urgent coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Decreased effectiveness when taken with certain doses of aspirin: Brilinta may not work well if you have acute coronary syndrome and take more than 100 mg of aspirin per day.

You can also talk with your doctor to learn more.

Disclaimer: Optum Perks 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.

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