Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesWhich Is More Effective?Safety Warnings and RisksSide EffectsHow to Take
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
Which Is More Effective?
Safety Warnings and Risks
Side Effects
How to Take
Brilinta (ticagrelor) and Plavix (clopidogrel) are blood-thinning medications, also calledblood thinners. Heart doctors (cardiologists) often prescribe blood thinners to help preventblood clottingand reduce the risk of heart-related events, such as a heart attack or stroke.
Brilinta is generally considered more effective than Plavix. However, there are several important factors to consider when selecting the right treatment.
This article will discuss the similarities and differences between Brilinta and Plavix.
Getty Images / Catherine McQueen
Uses of Plavix vs. Brilinta
Plavix and Brilinta are often taken to prevent or reduce problems associated with the heart and blood vessels, such as a heart attack or stroke, in people with:
The two medications work in similar ways. They both block the P2Y12 receptor to keep platelets from forming blood clots in the body.
Your healthcare provider may also advise taking a daily low-doseaspirinalong with your prescription treatment to further reduce the risk of blood clotting.
What Is Acute Coronary Syndrome?
A blockage in the heart happens quickly and is often the result of a blood clot. This clot can happen suddenly, especially if there’s a break in fatty material calledplaque, which becomes attached to the artery walls.
If a piece of the clot breaks off, it can block one of the heart’s coronary arteries, leading to a problem called acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This blockage needs immediate medical attention.
Symptoms of ACS include:
What Is a Myocardial Infarction?
A myocardial infarction, or heart attack, is a type of ACS. A heart attack occurs due to a clogged artery in the heart. If the blockage isn’t fixed, that part of the heart will become damaged or start to die due to a lack of oxygen.
What Is a Percutaneous Coronary Intervention?
A percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a specific heart procedure that places a metal or plastic tube (called a stent) to help open up blocked heart vessels. When this tube is holding the heart vessels open, blood can get to where it needs to go.
Brilinta is stronger and works faster than Plavix. This is because Plavix doesn’t work until your liver breaks it down and activates the drug using a certain enzyme (protein).
Because Plavix requires this activation, it takes longer to start working. Brilinta, on the other hand, works on its own without your body having to activate it. Because Brilinta doesn’t need activation in the body to work, it’s often a better option for those who have a low level of the liver enzyme types Plavix needs.
Though Brilinta is considered more effective than Plavix, it’s also more likely to cause bleeding. For this reason, many healthcare providers may prescribe Plavix first because it’s still an effective medication with fewer bleeding risks. Plavix is also more affordable than Brilinta because it has a generic version available.
Plavix and Brilinta both come with safety warnings and risks. It’s also important to know about possible interactions with other drugs to avoid harm.
Brilinta poses a higher risk of bleeding than Plavix does. You should not:
However, Plavix can also increase the risk of bleeding. When taking antiplatelet drugs, it is generally recommended to stop your medication five days before a planned surgery that poses a major risk of bleeding.
Your healthcare provider will weigh these risks when deciding to prescribe these medications.
Drug Interactions
It’s also important to know about possible interactions with other drugs to avoid harm.
Both Plavix and Brilinta can cause problems when they interact with strong blood-thinning drugs likewarfarinorheparin. If you take them together, bleeding can become much more likely, so make sure your healthcare provider is aware of all the medications you’re taking.
However, Plavix and Brilinta also have some different drug interactions.
Brilinta can interact with the following:
Plavix can interact with the following:
Like most medications, Brilinta and Plavix can cause side effects when taken. These side effects may be mild or serious, so it’s important to be aware and know what to expect.
The most common side effect of Plavix and Brilinta is the increased risk of bleeding. This can take the form of nosebleeds, bruising, or bleeding that takes longer to stop. In some cases, this can be more serious (e.g., internal bleeding or bleeding in the stomach).
Other side effects of Plavix include:
Other side effects of Brilinta include:
It’s important to remember that not everyone will experience these side effects, and some may have different reactions. If you are taking Plavix or Brilinta and notice any unusual or severe side effects, contact your healthcare provider right away.
Dosage: How to Take Plavix and Brilinta
Summary
Both Plavix and Brilinta have similar uses but can have different side effects, dosing guidelines, and drug interactions.
Though Brilinta prevents blood from clotting more effectively, it also tends to have an increased risk of side effects compared to Plavix, such as a higher chance of bleeding. Brilinta and Plavix are also slightly different in that Plavix is activated in the body after a certain type of liver enzyme breaks it down. If you have low levels of this enzyme, Brilinta might be a better option.
Make sure you discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider. They will prescribe the medication they believe will suit you best based on your condition and medical history.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Plavix label.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Brilinta label.American Heart Association.Acute coronary syndrome.American Heart Association.What is a heart attack?American Heart Association.Heart procedures and surgeries.James S, Budaj A, Aylward P, et al.Ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in acute coronary syndromes in relation to renal function: results from the Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes (PLATO) trial.Circulation. 2010;122(11):1056-1067. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.109.933796Wallentin L, Becker RC, Budaj A, et al.Ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in patients with acute coronary syndromes.N Engl J Med. 2009;361(11):1045-1057. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa0904327Coukell AJ, Markham A.Clopidogrel.Drugs. 1997 Nov;54(5):745-50; discussion 751. doi:10.2165/00003495-199754050-00006Nawarskas JJ, Clark SM.Ticagrelor: a novel reversible oral antiplatelet agent.Cardiol Rev. 2011;19(2):95-100. doi: 10.1097/CRD.0b013e3182099d86
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Plavix label.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Brilinta label.American Heart Association.Acute coronary syndrome.American Heart Association.What is a heart attack?American Heart Association.Heart procedures and surgeries.James S, Budaj A, Aylward P, et al.Ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in acute coronary syndromes in relation to renal function: results from the Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes (PLATO) trial.Circulation. 2010;122(11):1056-1067. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.109.933796Wallentin L, Becker RC, Budaj A, et al.Ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in patients with acute coronary syndromes.N Engl J Med. 2009;361(11):1045-1057. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa0904327Coukell AJ, Markham A.Clopidogrel.Drugs. 1997 Nov;54(5):745-50; discussion 751. doi:10.2165/00003495-199754050-00006Nawarskas JJ, Clark SM.Ticagrelor: a novel reversible oral antiplatelet agent.Cardiol Rev. 2011;19(2):95-100. doi: 10.1097/CRD.0b013e3182099d86
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Plavix label.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Brilinta label.American Heart Association.Acute coronary syndrome.American Heart Association.What is a heart attack?American Heart Association.Heart procedures and surgeries.James S, Budaj A, Aylward P, et al.Ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in acute coronary syndromes in relation to renal function: results from the Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes (PLATO) trial.Circulation. 2010;122(11):1056-1067. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.109.933796Wallentin L, Becker RC, Budaj A, et al.Ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in patients with acute coronary syndromes.N Engl J Med. 2009;361(11):1045-1057. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa0904327Coukell AJ, Markham A.Clopidogrel.Drugs. 1997 Nov;54(5):745-50; discussion 751. doi:10.2165/00003495-199754050-00006Nawarskas JJ, Clark SM.Ticagrelor: a novel reversible oral antiplatelet agent.Cardiol Rev. 2011;19(2):95-100. doi: 10.1097/CRD.0b013e3182099d86
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Plavix label.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Brilinta label.
American Heart Association.Acute coronary syndrome.
American Heart Association.What is a heart attack?
American Heart Association.Heart procedures and surgeries.
James S, Budaj A, Aylward P, et al.Ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in acute coronary syndromes in relation to renal function: results from the Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes (PLATO) trial.Circulation. 2010;122(11):1056-1067. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.109.933796
Wallentin L, Becker RC, Budaj A, et al.Ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in patients with acute coronary syndromes.N Engl J Med. 2009;361(11):1045-1057. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa0904327
Coukell AJ, Markham A.Clopidogrel.Drugs. 1997 Nov;54(5):745-50; discussion 751. doi:10.2165/00003495-199754050-00006
Nawarskas JJ, Clark SM.Ticagrelor: a novel reversible oral antiplatelet agent.Cardiol Rev. 2011;19(2):95-100. doi: 10.1097/CRD.0b013e3182099d86
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