Brilinta Injuries

Synopsis of Prescription Drug Litigation

Brilinta (ticagrelor) is a new antiplatelet (anticoagulant) drug used for the treatment of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) such as unstable angina, heart attacks and cardiovascular deaths. It is also used after a stent. Brilinta works by preventing the formation of new blood clots, thus maintaining blood flow in the body to help reduce the risk of another cardiovascular event.

Ticagrelor is associated with a number of serious and life-threatening adverse reactions that include serious to fatal internal bleeding.

Brilinta® (ticagrelor): Manufactured by Astra Zeneca and approved by the US FDA on July 20, 2011, Brilinta was fast tracked by the FDA with the approval coming after a number of studies found that Brilinta performed well against the standard blood thinner now in use, Plavix (clopidogrel).

Why is this medication prescribed?: Ticagrelor is a P2Y12 platelet inhibitor indicated to reduce the rate of thrombotic cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (unstable angina, non-ST elevation myocardial infarction, or ST elevation myocardial infarction). Brilinta has been shown to reduce the rate of a combined endpoint of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke compared to clopidogrel. The difference between treatments was driven by CV death and MI with no difference in stroke. In patients treated with PCI, it also reduces the rate of stent thrombosis. Brilinta has been studied in ACS in combination with aspirin. Maintenance doses of aspirin above 100 mg decreased the effectiveness of BRILINTA. Avoid maintenance doses of aspirin above 100 mg daily.

What you should know before taking Brilinta:

Before taking ticagrelor, tell your doctor if you,

• have had bleeding problems in the past
• have had any recent serious injury or surgery
• plan to have surgery or a dental procedure
• have a history of stomach ulcers or colon polyps
• have lung problems, such as COPD or asthma
• have liver problems
• have a history of stroke
• are pregnant, or are plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Brilinta will harm your unborn baby. You and your doctor should decide if you will take Brilinta
• are breastfeeding. It is not known if Brilinta passes into your breast-milk. You and your doctor should decide if you will take Brilinta or breastfeed. You should not do both without talking with your doctor

Tell all of your doctors and dentists that you are taking Brilinta. They should talk to the doctor who prescribed Brilinta for you before you have any surgery or invasive procedure.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Brilinta may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how Brilinta works.

Especially tell your doctor if you take

• an HIV-AIDS medicine
• medicine for heart conditions or high blood pressure
• medicine for high blood cholesterol levels
• an anti-fungal medicine by mouth
• an anti-seizure medicine
• a blood thinner medicine
  rifampin (Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane, Rifadin)

Taking Brilinta with aspirin

Brilinta is taken with aspirin. Talk to your doctor about the dose of aspirin that you should take with Brilinta. You should NOT take a dose of aspirin higher than 100 mg daily because it can affect how well Brilinta works. Do not take doses of aspirin higher than what your doctor tells you to take. Tell your doctor if you take other medicines that contain aspirin, and do not take new over-the-counter medicines with aspirin in them.

Black Box Warning:

Lawsuits: STATUS OF BRILINTA LITIGATION: There are currently no lawsuits filed in the U.S. with Brilinta. That may soon change with the side effect profile that Brilinta presents.

When to call the Venardi Law Firm: The blood thinner (anticoagulant) ticragrelor—sold under the brand name Brilinta —might have caused you to suffer life-threatening side effects. The medication, prescribed to you by your doctor, was supposed to ease and control your acute coronary syndrome that might cause heart attack or even death—not expose you to greater risk.

The manufacturer alone is at fault. Certainly, you’re not to blame. And you shouldn’t have to go through more trouble to be compensated for the harm you’ve already suffered. The Venardi Law Firm, a Brilinta law group, knows this, and we want you to believe it. Because the drug manufacturer put its own profits before your well-being, now you need a sympathetic advocate who will represent only your interests—and who will make the process as painless as possible. If you have taken Brilinta and been harmed, contact The Venardi Law Firm today for a free consultation.