1. Can one consume Ticagrelor and clopidogrel simultaneously?
No, consumption of such a combination of medicines is not recommended because it may enhance the risk of bleeding.
2. How does it inhibit platelet aggregation?
It works on reducing the stacking capability of platelets. This is because a blood clot forms when there is inter-platelet sticking. It hinders the signalling pathways of certain platelet receptors and subsequently inhibits platelet activation. It has faster and more potent action than clopidogrel on platelet aggregation inhibition.
3. How to de-escalate from Ticagrelor to clopidogrel?
After ST-elevated myocardial infarction or in coronary artery disease patients, doctors recommend Ticagrelor for consumption initially, followed by substituting it with clopidogrel. Twelve hours after the last consumption of Ticagrelor, a loading dosage of 300 mg clopidogrel is advised for the medicine switching. Then continue with 75 mg clopidogrel for maintenance therapy.
4. Does this medicine lead to blood thinning?
Undoubtedly, it is a blood thinner. Doctors usually prescribe it to lower the risk of a heart attack. The abnormal formation of blood clots may trigger such an event. This medicine helps in thinning of blood to maintain optimum and smooth blood flow. Moreover, it is also prescribed to manage certain post-surgical complications like abnormal blood clotting.
5. Is this medicine an anticoagulant?
Yes. This medicine is an anticoagulant, as it has a huge therapeutic capability to inhibit abnormal platelet aggregation from forming unwanted blood clots.
6. When to cease consumption of this antiplatelet medicine before surgery?
One needs to seize the consumption of this antiplatelet medicine at least 5 days before any surgery. This is because this medicine inhibits platelet aggregation even for the normal coagulation process. If coagulation does not occur during and after the surgery, it will result in excessive blood loss and failed post-surgical healing.
7. What is the association between Ticagrelor and dyspnea?
The main cause behind such drug-induced dyspnea is that its usage inhibits sodium-independent Equilibrative Nucleoside transporter-1. This results in excess adenosine levels in the blood. High adenosine levels in the blood become the reason behind associated dyspnea.
8. Why do doctors prescribe low dose aspirin with Ticagrelor?
Low dose aspirin with Ticagrelor is the standard regime to induce inhibition of platelet aggregation in patients with acute coronary artery syndrome. This drug combination reduces the risks of occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events for long in high-risk patients. Alone, aspirin administration is unable to lower these risks much.
9. Which class of drugs does Ticagrelor belong to?
It is from the category of antiplatelet drugs.
10. Does Ticagrelor come under the category of controlled substances?
As per the Controlled Substance Act, it is not a controlled substance.
11. For how much time, Ticagrelor stays in your system?
The mean half-life of this medication is 7 hours. The active metabolite stays for 9 hours in your body.
