ARX-Ticagrelor (Ticagrelor)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is ARX-Ticagrelor Used For?
ARX-Ticagrelor contains ticagrelor and belongs to a group of medicines called anti-platelet medicines. It helps prevent dangerous blood clots from forming in your blood vessels.
Primary Uses
ARX-Ticagrelor is used to prevent heart attacks and unstable angina (chest pain that is not well controlled). You have been given this medicine because you have had a heart attack or unstable angina.
How It Works
Platelets are very small cells in your blood that help stop bleeding by clumping together to form blood clots. However, clots can also form inside damaged blood vessels, which can cause heart attacks or strokes. ARX-Ticagrelor helps stop platelets from clumping together, reducing the chance of dangerous blood clots forming and lowering your risk of another heart attack, chest pain, or stroke.
Good to know: There is no evidence that ARX-Ticagrelor is addictive.
How to Take ARX-Ticagrelor
Take ARX-Ticagrelor exactly as your doctor has told you. The tablets can be taken with or without food, and should be taken at around the same time each day.
Dosage Instructions
The starting dose is two tablets at the same time, usually given in the hospital. After that, the usual dose is one tablet twice a day – for example, one in the morning and one in the evening. Swallow each tablet whole with water. If you have trouble swallowing, you can crush the tablets and mix with water following specific instructions. Your doctor will usually also tell you to take acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), typically 100 mg but may vary between 75-150 mg.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss your dose at the usual time, take your next dose as normal. Then go back to taking it as you would normally. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Feeling shortness of breath (very common – affects more than 1 in 10 people)
- Bruising
- Nosebleed
- Headache
- Stomach pain
- Constipation, diarrhea or indigestion
- Feeling sick
- Rash
- Inflamed stomach (gastritis)
- Tingling feeling
- Fainting
- Slow and/or irregular heart rate
- Some bleeding (affects less than 1 in 10 people)
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Signs of stroke: sudden numbness or weakness, confusion, difficulty speaking, walking problems, dizziness, severe headache
- Signs of serious bleeding: blood in urine, black stools, blood in stools, excessive bleeding from cuts or after surgery
- Signs of blood clotting: fever, purplish spots on skin or mouth, yellowing of skin or eyes, extreme tiredness, confusion
- Signs of serious allergic reaction: chest tightness, wheezing, difficulty breathing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, severe skin reactions
Irregular Breathing
Central sleep apnea and Cheyne-Stokes respiration have been reported in a small number of patients. Tell your doctor if you develop irregular breathing patterns such as speeding up, slowing down, or short pauses in breathing.
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where ARX-Ticagrelor should not be used or requires special caution.
Who Should Not Take ARX-Ticagrelor
Do not take ARX-Ticagrelor if you are allergic to ticagrelor or any ingredients; have bleeding problems such as stomach or gut bleeding from an ulcer; have moderate to severe liver disease; have had a stroke caused by bleeding in the brain; or are taking ketoconazole, clarithromycin, nefazodone, ritonavir, or atazanavir.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Check with your doctor if you have an increased risk of bleeding due to recent serious injury, recent surgery, recent stomach or gut bleeding, or blood clotting conditions; have asthma or other lung problems; are due to have surgery or dental work; have or have had high uric acid; have a low heart rate; or have any other medical conditions.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
ARX-Ticagrelor is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while taking this medicine or if you decide to breastfeed your baby. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits with you.
Surgery Warning: Tell your doctor if you are due to have any surgery or dental work, as you may need to stop taking ARX-Ticagrelor temporarily due to increased bleeding risk.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with ARX-Ticagrelor and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you are taking.
- Rosuvastatin or more than 40 mg daily of simvastatin (cholesterol medicines)
- Rifampin (antibiotic)
- Phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital (seizure medicines)
- Dexamethasone (anti-inflammatory)
- Digoxin (heart failure medicine)
- Cyclosporin (immune system medicine)
- Quinidine and diltiazem (heart rhythm medicines)
- Blood thinners like aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel, prasugrel
- Clot-dissolvers like streptokinase and tenecteplase
- NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen
- Antidepressants like paroxetine, sertraline, citalopram
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful when driving or operating machinery while taking ARX-Ticagrelor.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings are mentioned in the source material.
Driving and Operating Machinery
ARX-Ticagrelor is not likely to affect your ability to drive or use machines. However, since you are being treated for heart attack or unstable angina, you may experience dizziness and confusion. If you have these symptoms, be cautious while driving or using machines.
Storage
Keep your tablets in the blister pack until it is time to take them. Store in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C, away from moisture, heat, or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children in a locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half meters above the ground.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much ARX-Ticagrelor, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. Taking too many tablets may increase your risk of bleeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
The source material does not specify how long ARX-Ticagrelor takes to work. Your doctor will monitor your progress and determine the effectiveness of the treatment.
Yes, it does not matter whether you take ARX-Ticagrelor with food or on an empty stomach.
No, there is no evidence that ARX-Ticagrelor is addictive.
Do not stop taking ARX-Ticagrelor without talking to your doctor first. If you stop taking it without medical supervision, it may increase the chance of a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot forming. The benefits are based on taking it continuously as prescribed.
The source material does not provide specific information about alcohol consumption while taking ARX-Ticagrelor. Consult your doctor for guidance on alcohol use.
If you miss your dose at the usual time, take your next dose as normal. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose. Then continue taking it as you normally would.
Yes, tell your doctor if you are due to have surgery or dental work at any time while taking ARX-Ticagrelor. Your doctor may want you to stop taking it for a short time due to increased risk of bleeding.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.