Ticagrelor: What to Know Before You Take It

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Dyspnea was reported more frequently with ticagrelor than with control agents in clinical trials. Dyspnea from ticagrelor is self-limiting. ( 5.3 ) •Severe Hepatic Impairment: Likely increase in exposure to ticagrelor. ( 5.5 ) •Laboratory Test Interference: False negative platelet functional test results have been reported for Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT). Ticagrelor is not expected to impact PF4 antibody testing for HIT. ( 5.7 ) 5.1 Risk of Bleeding Drugs that inhibit platelet function including ticagrelor increase the risk of bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) and Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )]. Patients treated for acute ischemic stroke or TIA Patients at NIHSS >5 and patients receiving thrombolysis were excluded from THALES and use of ticagrelor tablets in such patients is not recommended. 5.2 Discontinuation of Ticagrelor Tablets in Patients Treated for Coronary Artery Disease Discontinuation of ticagrelor tablets will increase the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and death in patients being treated for coronary artery disease. If ticagrelor tablets must be temporarily discontinued (e.g., to treat bleeding or for significant surgery), restart it as soon as possible. When possible, interrupt therapy with ticagrelor tablets for five days prior to surgery that has a major risk of bleeding. Resume ticagrelor tablets as soon as hemostasis is achieved. 5.3 Dyspnea In clinical trials, about 14% (PLATO and PEGASUS) to 21% (THEMIS) of patients treated with ticagrelor developed dyspnea. Dyspnea was usually mild to moderate in intensity and often resolved during continued treatment but led to study drug discontinuation in 1.0% (THALES), 4.3% (PEGASUS), and 6.9% (THEMIS) of patients. In a substudy of PLATO, 199 subjects underwent pulmonary function testing irrespective of whether they reported dyspnea. There was no indication of an adverse effect on pulmonary function assessed after one month or after at least 6 months of chronic treatment. If a patient develops new, prolonged, or worsened dyspnea that is determined to be related to ticagrelor tablets, no specific treatment is required; continue ticagrelor tablets without interruption if possible. In the case of intolerable dyspnea requiring discontinuation of ticagrelor tablets, consider prescribing another antiplatelet agent. 5.4 Bradyarrhythmias Ticagrelor tablets can cause ventricular pauses [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . Bradyarrhythmias including AV block have been reported in the postmarketing setting. Patients with a history of sick sinus syndrome, 2 nd or 3 rd degree AV block or bradycardia-related syncope not protected by a pacemaker were excluded from clinical studies and may be at increased risk of developing bradyarrhythmias with ticagrelor. 5.5 Severe Hepatic Impairment Avoid use of ticagrelor tablets in patients with severe hepatic impairment. Severe hepatic impairment is likely to increase serum concentration of ticagrelor. There are no studies of ticagrelor patients with severe hepatic impairment [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. 5.6 Central Sleep Apnea Central sleep apnea (CSA) including Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR) has been reported in the post-marketing setting in patients taking ticagrelor, including recurrence or worsening of CSA/CSR following rechallenge. If central sleep apnea is suspected, consider further clinical assessment. 5.7 Laboratory Test Interferences False negative functional tests for Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) Ticagrelor has been reported to cause false negative results in platelet functional tests (including the heparin-induced platelet aggregation (HIPA) assay) for patients with Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT). This is related to inhibition of the P2Y 12 -receptor on the healthy donor platelets in the test by ticagrelor in the affected patient’s serum/plasma. Information on concomitant treatment with ticagrelor is required for interpretation of HIT functional tests. Based on the mechanism of ticagrelor interference, ticagrelor is not expected to impact PF4 antibody testing for HIT.