... is experiencing severe itching, some dizziness, difficulty breathing, nausea and just overall not feeling well on a daily basis. He wants to discontinue taking the Brilinta but the cardio doctor said he has to take it for a year. It's been about 6 months now and he's going crazy, he says he can't stand it any longer. Are there any more of you out there experiencing the same problem? And if so what have you done about it?
My husband has been taking Brilinta since October 2012 after have two stents placed in his heart. He
Question posted by Sluggulchlady on 13 April 2013
Last updated on 1 January 2023 by Joni James
17 Answers
Joni James
1 Jan 2023
I hope you still read these responses.
I am having the same issues your husband had. I got some OTC antiitch cream. I recently started Allegra for hives to help the itch. I’m always exhausted, can’t fall asleep at night yet my cardiologist disregarded my problems as rubbish. It has been 8 months since my heart attack and stent plus balloon in adjoining artery. I am starting Plavix and pray it is better for me. Hope things got better for him.
Scurry01
21 Feb 2019
I feel his pain. You do need to follow the doctors advice. There are options to Brilinta which he can be switched to. I GOT TO THE POINT WHERE I could not get enough sleep, was tired all the time, shortness of breath with very little exertion, and overall in a bad place. So, time to change.
lucyaligiah
3 May 2018
I am 64. After my Congestive Heart Failure diagnosis in 2009 my first symptom were feet swelling, energy loss and chest pains. Suddenly I got weak and dizzy and had severe shortness of breath. My blood pressure was 200/100, respiration was 28 with oxygen saturation of 88 percent. I was extremely short of breath. My doctor started me on blood pressure medications, Lasix and nitroglycerin, the medications helped but not much. In January this year my PCP referred me to Rich Herbs Foundation, i immediately started on their natural organic CHF FORMULA treatment. I had a total decline in all symptoms including the leg and feet swellings, shortness of breath, fatigue, weight problems, excess urination, chest pains and others. Visit Rich Herbs Foundation web page ww w. richherbsfoundation. com. The CHF treatment totally reversed my congestive heart failure condition and most amazingly i can go about my daily activities!
Buddyo1915
17 July 2017
I have been on the drug since april and developed many symptomscthat i want to stop it so i just did today cause noone will listen , i am making my wife crazy too with the complaining and sleepless nights. i never had this with plavix so i will be resuming plavix and aspirin tomorrow , cause i dont want to tolerate the pain anymore. Its that what my body says I'm going to listen.
Vez
9 Aug 2017
How are you doing now?
Donald H
23 Nov 2017
2nd time I've been on Berlinta. My previous cardiologist took me off of it after about 2 months after having it. Had moderate breathing problems. I changed cardiologist and just had my 10th, 11th, & 12th stent put in. I can't take Effient, because of severe blood loss in stools. Plavix cannot do hat needs to be done. Sp my current cardiologist put me back on Berlinta because he stated it was better for me than Plavix. and the best available for me. told him about the breathing problems from before . He said he understood, but try it for awhile. Had open heart surgery in Sept. of 2013 - 5-way bypass & aortic valve replaced. Wondering if there is anyway to contradict the breathing problem & still take Berlinta?
vkm75
3 Jan 2018
Had 3 stents put in 8 weeks ago, and was put on Brillinta right away. The breathlessness got progressively worse, and was switched over to Plavix (after a thorough review; EKG, bloodwork, chest X-ray). On Day 5 of Plavix, and the breathlessness is slightly improved . . . But not totally gone. Anyone know how long it takes, generally speaking, for the breathlessness to go away once off of Brillinta?
Sluggulchlady
16 Aug 2016
The last time my husband had the stent procedure, his doctor put him on Plavix. (He also had terrible side effects with the other medsj after his first procedures.) He had a horrible time with it again this time. Then he remembered that one of the nurses in the hospital told him about a fairly new med, Effient, so my husband asked his doctor that he wanted to try It. It was Effient. He was on Effient for one year, with less bad side effects than with any of the other declotters. But when the year was up, he decided he would stop taking the med and take his chances... against his doctor's advice.
Bigmandown
26 Aug 2017
That's where my husband is at after having a heart attack on the 5th of August, 2017... he has been bitterly sick due to the plethora of drugs they have administered to him. He is experiencing severe insomnia and cannot rest. He hasn't slept since the 4th of August... he has never been back in his REM sleep so he can HEAL!! We need sleep to heal, but the drugs have kept on edge... some other side effects he's been "living" with include: lethargy, dizziness, severe headaches, nauseated, shoulder joint pain, leg pains, muscle aches, lack of appetite, weak, no energy... after we discovered the residual effect on the seven medications they prescribed him, he'll still be detoxing from the last one in another 9-14 days from today... A day ago he decided he would not take drugs for this. When he complained to the Doc, he said it was all in his head... REALLY? He has three medicated stents that were placed in one artery...
and we're reading DEAN ORNISH's book, "Reversing Heart Disease"... found it at our local used book store for $2.00 and I could not be more pleased at what we've been learning. He is almost completely off animal protein... and it has been drastic, but drastic times call for drastic measures... and he's been good about it... (even being the meat eater he has been!) The American Heart Association will tell you, "you can eat eggs, red meat, etc... and stay within their 30% fat consumption diet... which is hardly any help at all.) If you eat that diet YOU WILL NEED MEDS to break down the cholesterol... if you assist your body and eat PLANT BASED foods, you will have little to NO cholesterol to deal with. Example: Yesterday, his diet contained three meals, with snacks and juices and he only consumed 30mg of cholesterol (from food) all day. WE CAN DO THIS!!! We are praying for his healing... and we are praying for REVERSAL regardless of how it will make our Cardiologist either laugh at us or dump us come Tuesday. God bless each and every one of you who are experiencing this hell on earth!! We pray for you to be HEALED!! Your stories broke my heart... Bye for now! his Mrs!!
Miguel1980
5 Aug 2016
Hi I have had 2 stents placed around 2 weeks back and was put on Brilinita 2 tablets of 90 mg each per day. Ever since I have started using this medication, I have had a headache all around my head - its not very painful but it is annoying, seems like slight electricity in my head all the time, along with this I am having chest pain on my right side which comes and goes - my cardiologist told me its got nothing to do with Brilinta - I am not too sure as my other issues such as blood pressure and diabetes is very much in control. Nothing else is wrong with me. Anyone else has had similar effect while using Brilinta?
alohakuam
15 May 2017
Hi, I had 2 stents 8 days ago. I was prescribed Brilinta. 3 days later I began getting red spots all over my body. It started from my inner thighs and progressed to chest, stomach and back. It itches like hell sometime, especially while sleeping. I have called into the doctor but waiting for his response. I do not feel shortness of breathing but do feel slight pressure in my head with in few minutes if taking the meds. I have begun walking up the mountain trail, about 2 miles long each mornings and feels fine.
Hope this help to some...
sherman-a
30 June 2017
red spots on your skin is one of the side effects listed as being one that you should call your doctor about.
Sheilaen
27 March 2016
I am female, 74 and been on 3 types of blood thinner, latest is Brilinta. The breathless started shortly after 1st dose. Occasional abdomen pain and occasional nausea.
I am on 2 x 90mg a day. I have only taken for 3 days, but am dropping dose to 1 x 90g to see if it makes a difference. Cardio, pharmacist , GP
Don't take much notice. I can't live like this, daily . I will give Brilinta a month and take it from there. If necessary I will stop it and take consequences.
slrichey
1 June 2016
My Mother is feeling the same way you did. Her stent was placed 4 days ago and the breathlessness started on the discharge day. What did you end up doing?
I'm trying to understand why the doctor would be so adamant to keep her on Brilinta when she has had Plavix in the past. After reading some comparisons, I think I understand why. Brilinta supposedly has fewer hemorrhages and doesn't seem to have the "genetic" problem -whereby it just doesn't work in 2-14% of people. But in my Mother's case, we DO know that the Plavix worked because she had a GI bleed within one month. Four years later her stents are still clear. So why the resistance? I'm at a loss. I've read the dyspnea from Brilinta is permanent. That is a hit to quality of life that I cannot endorse. Looking for rational, logical answers.
Auntietta
18 Aug 2016
go to "Dollars for Docs" put your docs name and state in and check to see if he's getting paid for prescribing!
dcluley1
22 Sep 2016
My 81yr old mother had 2 stents inserted in September 2015 after a heart attack. Cardiologist prescribed Brilinta 90mg twice daily. She had the lightheadedNess and a few nosebleeds that stopped quickly. The breathing got severe one day and too week to stand. BP would bottom out. I thought maybe she needed her BP Med adjusted January 5 2016. I called 911 and in ER she had blood in her stool and Hgb was 7.6. She was admitted for GI workup. She vomited blood that night and when I got back to the hospital in AM she was extremely restless and had a huge GI hemorrage. She was a DNR and passed away that night. I had a very nagging feeling that it was the Brilinta that caused this. I researched the net, found articles about the issues some physicians have with how the studies were done. Also, came across a web site for a law firm that is looking into the drug company. I am presently a client of theirs. I am totally against this drug on the market and feel it needs to be researched more.
The law firm has many other clients and other attorneys are referring their clients to this firm that have had family members that have had severe lasting affects from Brilanta and of course died.
wesley52
15 Sep 2015
Yea this drug is horrible my father had three blockages march of this year he recieved 3 stints and was perscribed Brilinta afterwards and after 8 days of taking it had a stroke lost use of his right side & his speech and severe bleeding on the brain and had to have emergancy brain surgery and is still having complications and were just at a loss,
I see the parent company AstraZenecca lied about there trials saying it was tested in over 20 countries & come to find out it was only in 2 countries this company has a track record of creating these drugs & pushing them on the market and rolling the dice on what damage it does to inocent famlies my prayers to all the famlies this affected and I hope we can come together to get this off the market.
Saidii
12 June 2017
Hello Sir
Could you please tell me what happened next with your father?
My dad having the same case and its been 3 months stopping the brillanta and we need to give him the thinner blood mds but we are afraid.
Sluggulchlady
12 June 2017
My husband was on Brilintia for a year after having stents done and was ill for the whole time. Two years later he had to have more stents and chose to take Effient because a nurse recommended it since my husband had such a bad experience with Brilinta previously. His body accepted the Effient much better although he sometimes had bad days. All these heart drugs have serious side effects but you have to also look at the alternative... heart attack or worse.
Vez
9 Aug 2017
Do you know where to find these studies?
girishkumar
27 Aug 2015
I am also taking brilinta for last 1.5 weeks. I feel week and general malaise.
Please keep folllowing in mind (I am not a doctor but alternative medicine enthusiast):-
a) Dosing is decided based on clinical trials and other empirical methods. It is NOT based on pure chemistry. It is a guess at its best.
b) One size fits all is absurd. A 200 lb man will need more medication that a 110 lb own. Yet FDA approves (based on big pharma advice) same dosage for all.
c) This is a platelet inhibitor-- which is not required after the stents is covered with endothelial layer (protective layer that coats all arteries for blood flow. For doctor to claim that it is still necessary is "only" based on drug company recommendation (which is biased to sell more pills).
d) I can not imagine it will take a year for endothelial to cover the stents. Nature is much more effecient.
e) Ask past Plavix users-- I think they were only taking it for a month or two.
f)Common sense argument: Nature clots the blood in 1-2 minutes. Why wouldn't Nature provide endothelial protection to stent in a month. Buying time for Endothelial protection is the ONLY reason to use Brilinta or any other similar drug.
These drugs companies and docs are not God. reduce the dosage, you may will feel better.
Also please try vegeterian diet if you really want to get better. Please read Dean Ornish book on reversing arterial disease. Also consider chelation+ Ozone therapy (none of these are these endorsed by main stream medicine). good luck.
Montie53
17 July 2015
No my husband takes Plavix since 2004. May need to change if ur husband has all those issues. Plus Plavix is in generic now which is a god send.
am_gautam2002
7 Feb 2015
I have been prescribed brillinta by my doctor after angioplasty and I have been taking it for four and half months. Four days back, I coughed up blood while coughing at night. On consultation one cardiologist suggested to stop brillinta while my doctor asked it to take for at least for one year. Please advise if someone had similar problem. I had stopped taking brillinta for two days and the bleeding stopped. But when I started again yesterday, the bleeding started again.
A. M. Gautam , Lucknow ,india
Sluggulchlady
7 Feb 2015
I was reviewing comments and found yours to be disturbing. I was wondering, since your post of 13 April 2013, what has happened since. Were you able to change to a different medication? And are you doing well now?
Sluggulchlady
7 Feb 2015
am_gautam2002
I'm sorry, i saw the date 13 Apr 2013 and assumed that was the date you posted. Now I see it was recent. I still would like to know what you have done about your bleeding problem.
angel69
1 June 2015
am_gautam2002
My husband had a heart attack in 2013, and was put on Brilinta. Worst thing ever. My husband had problems with it the whole time he was on it, dizziness, coughing, and black stool, which he failed to mention until after the ulcer. Of course they told him to keep taking it, however, he ended up having surgery from a bleeding ulcer, complements of Brilinta.
angel69
Robert 12345
2 June 2015
I had been taking Plavix for 6 years with no problems. I stopped all of my meds and going to my heart doctor every 3 months because his office was a drug rep. hang out. Last visit his staff started to talking in front of me and others about their needs for more perk cards from a drug rep. that was standing at the sign in window. I felt like I was being feed these meds and going to his office because of money. Every trip my EKG was fine and he would say come back in 3 months and to keep taking my meds. I stopped taking everything for 1 year and just had other heart attack. Now that Plavix is lower cost this doctor switched me to Brilinta. Without insurance this med is $300 for one month supply vs Plavix $30 at Costco. I just called the doctors office and tried to switch back to Plavix. They will not change my meds. I feel this should be illegal. It's not in the patients interest for the doctor and staff to demand you to take a new unproven drug to line their pockets.
Checking Plavix vs Brilinta the only positive thing I have found is an article from the manufacture of Brilinta. I'm now having to ask my regular doctor to give me Plavix which I will be taking for the rest of my life.
Vez
9 Aug 2017
So what happened?
Jooneybuggy
10 Aug 2017
Interested in what happened as well. I was bleeding from nose and bruising from Brilinta, was changed to Plavix Aprox a month ago. Bleeding stopped for a while, but has started again, although not nearly as bad - I still bruise easily. Bruises all over my legs --
Had stents done Dec 2016--
bigdreams
27 Oct 2014
I've been on Brilinta since April, 2014 and am experiencing the same. Have also been unsuccessful in getting my doctor to change meds. This past year has been hell.
Sluggulchlady
27 Oct 2014
Bigdreams,
I'm the one who originally posted about Brillinta. My husband's cardiologist finally changed my husbands med to Plavix after he kept complaining about it. He experienced a terrible reaction to that also. So he went back to taking the Brillinta. His doctor said he had to take the Brillinta for at least a year, then he would reevaluate. When the year was up, the doctor wanted my husband to continue taking the Brillinta but my husband made his own decision to stop taking the med. it has been almost two years now since he stopped taking Brillinta and hasn't had any problems. I don't know why doctors keep denying that Brillinta causes severe reactions to some people. My husbands doctor kept telling him that it couldn't be the Brillinta causes his problems. But we definitely think it was.
Sluggulchlady
27 Oct 2014
Bigdreams,
I'm the one who originally posted about Brillinta. My husband's cardiologist finally changed my husbands med to Plavix after he kept complaining about it. He experienced a terrible reaction to that also. So he went back to taking the Brillinta. His doctor said he had to take the Brillinta for at least a year, then he would reevaluate. When the year was up, the doctor wanted my husband to continue taking the Brillinta but my husband made his own decision to stop taking the med. it has been almost two years now since he stopped taking Brillinta and hasn't had any problems. I don't know why doctors keep denying that Brillinta causes severe reactions to some people. My husbands doctor kept telling him that it couldn't be the Brillinta causes his problems. But we definitely think it was.
bigdreams
28 Oct 2014
Thanks for your reply. I was on Plavix for almost 6 years until my second heart attack. The cardiologist at the hospital told me that Plavix "failed" and put me on Brilinta. I didn't have any side effects while taking Plavix I just changed cardiologist. My primary care physician would like to get me off Brilinta but wants the cardiologist approval to do so.
jitender901
21 Dec 2014
I am 67 year old and have undergone angioplasty with des.the doctor has prescribed me brilanta 90 mg bd.and atorvastatin 80 mg.he is very adamant on these drugs and want me to continue for a year despite side effects which he says will get resolved overtime. I consulted another cardiologist who advised me to reduce atorvastatin to 40 mg as I am old and also wants me to shift to plavix as brilanta can give bleeding risk.I am really confused as to what is right or wrong. Brilanta being new is very expensive compared to clopidagrel. Pl.send your comments
Auntietta
18 Aug 2016
Had a long stent recently due to 3 blockages and my very well respected cardio insisted on putting me on Brilinta. Other than some itching on the insides of my ankles, the only serious side effect has been shortness of breath. I started investigating and found a website called "Dollars for Docs": lo and behold my cardio has accepted (between late 2013 and Dec. of 2014) well over a quarter of a million in dollars from Astra-Zeneca. Have lost confidence and am researching for another cardio that's not accepting $$$ from Big Pharma!
twolfe99
19 Aug 2014
This is an old post but I will add my two cents in case anyone else is reading these responses. First of all, if you are on Brilinta do not stop taking it until your doctor prescribes a different medication. The risk of sudden heart attack goes up exponentially if you stop the medication immediately. When you start taking whatever new anticoagulant your doctor prescribes make sure you take the appropriate loading does for that medication so there is little interruption in your state of anti-coagulation.
I would suggest asking your doctor to switch you to Effient (Prasugrel). You only have to take it once a day instead of the twice a day regime that is required with Briliinta. Also Effient does not have the side effect of severe shortness of breath.
As far as being allergic to an anti-coagulant, desensitizing is not an option or even possible. You do not want to be in a state where you do not have the medication on board and it's anti-coagulation effect as suggested in someone's earlier post.
The time frame of taking the medication for one year actually refers to being anti-coagulated for one year. It does not matter which anti-coagulant is used. This is to get the stent safely past the danger period at which it might occlude due to fibrinogen build up.
sciden
19 Oct 2014
I am somewhat surprised by the lack of complaints regarding Brilinta. This is my second stent placement (along with an angioplasty), was given Brilinta and immediately reacted to it - the cardio replaced with Plavix after two days. I am still suffering lingering shortness of breath, from minor to severe. Unlike the docs treating some of the folks above, mine recognized that we had an immediate issue that had to b solved. It is your right as a patient to demand better care, or get a cardiologist that does not go by the nickname of "God", at least in his (her) eyes. It's time to dump lousy docs that are only concerned with the money involved in the prescription game, and find some who actually remember that there role in healthcare is to listen to their patients and solve the problems. Geez...
videone
13 Feb 2016
I'm 62 and recently had 3 stents placed. I'm on Brilinta and have had no issues other than bleeding gums. My heart doctor has told me that the bleeding gums have nothing to do with taking Brilinta. Uh-huh. I have never had any issues with my gums prior to taking Brilinta. It's been 30 days and there has not been any improvement. The crazy thing is I have no problem brushing or flossing; the bleeding gums start out of the blue. I had to go to the ER shortly after I was released following my stent placement for bleeding gums that the ER (Saturday night) doctor called moderate to severe. They bled for over 7 hours. 3 weeks later I had to see my dentist for another bleed that would not stop. I spoke with my PCP and we are giving it another week and then we will try and get the heart doctor to try something other than Brilinta.
Sluggulchlady
27 March 2016
Thank you for your comment. I have been monitoring this string for over three years. My husband was the one who had severe reactions to Plavix and Brilinta. After the second time in the hospital for more stents, the doctor prescribed Brilinta again. While they were wheeling him to his room after the procedure, he kept complaining about severe pain in his chest. After a while, the nurses notified the doctor, and he determined that my hisband needed to go back in for evaluation and that's when it was discovered that one of the stents had blocked another vein and they had to put in another stent. In the meantime, my husband had a minor heart attack. After the procedure, his heart went into afrib and they tried to control it with meds, which didn't work. Finally had to shock his heart (I don't remember what it's called). When my husband complained about how Plavix and Brilinta effected him, he asked the doctor to prescribe Effient.
He did have some reaction to it, but compared to the other meds, it was the lesser of two evils. He was on Effient for a year and after the year was up, he took himself off the med. His doctor wanted him to continue taking it, but he said no, he couldn't handle it any longer. It's been four months since he stopped taking the Effient. I pray he doesn't have anymore problems.
hammerlicious
3 Dec 2016
I had 2 stents in October and December 2014 and have been on Brilinta since then. Seeing cardiologist next month and I don't know if he'll stop the protocol or not.
I have had a little shortness of breath a few times but not too bad. Bruise a little easier and gums bleed more at dentist. As far as I'm concerned I can stay on it longer but I've read 18 months is about the suggested limit (it's been 24 months for me). My fear in going off is that one of the stents is in the Left Main artery (widowmaker) and if restenosis occurs there we have trouble.
By the way, I did not have a heart attack, just chest pains, and I got good treatment real quick. left main was 99% obstructed.
izzabel13
17 April 2017
I recently had 2 cardiac stents in my rca. Was put on brilinta. I was so sick, nauseated, dizzy, i thought maybe this was just recovery time. I couldnt take it any longer and went back to the cardiologists nurse practitioner. My husband had to carry me in ..i could not walk..i could only say half a sentence. I was taken off brilinta and put on plavix. After i night of horrific headaches i felt so much better. However, i have this lingering forgetfulness. .cant talk well..bad dizziness ..and cant walk very good. Is this brilinta or plavix?
Sluggulchlady
18 April 2017
Reply to Izzabel13
If you are having adverse reactions to Brillinta or Plavix, I suggest you have another talk with your cardiologist and see if he will switch you to Effient. My husband had terrible reactions to Brillinta and Plavix and heard about Effient from one of his nurses when he was in the hospital. It's a fairly new drug and it helped my husband tremendously. At least he didnt have all the terrible reactions he had with the other drugs. He was on it for exactly 12 months and told the doctor he didn't want to take it any longer. Cardiologists want you to stay on those meds much longer because the drugs companies want to keep you on them. My husband did have to have another angioplasty and the doctor did find more blockage but was unable to stent because the affected areas were too small for stents. So he was advised if he wanted to have a chance to have a longer life, he would have to make changes to his lifestyle.
He had to change his eating habits, cut out sodium, watch his water intake (he drank a litre or more of water everyday which in his case leads to water retention), and exercise. Oh, yes, and to watch his weight. He is doing well now. Lost 15 pounds. Good Luck to you.
Tito Jacinto
17 June 2013
My husband also felt shortness in breathing while taking brilinta. Our doctor change Brilinta to Plavix. You can ask your doctor if it will work to your husband.
Sluggulchlady
17 June 2013
Thank you Tito... My husband already talked his doctor into his changing from Brilinta to Plavix. After taking the Plavix for a week, he couldn't stand the side effects of Plavix any longer, it was worse than the Brilinta. So he went back to taking the Brillinta..now he has just resigned himself to the fact that he has to keep taking the Brilinta. He only has about 4 more months to take it. I did want to mention... a while back he decided to quit taking his Simvastatin (cholesterol medicine) to see if maybe it was reacting with the Brilinta and see if he would feel any difference. It did... after a while, he did start feeling a little better, although he still has the shortness of breathe once in a while. Especially in high elevations, like in the mountains. I hope this will be over soon. It's very life changing for everyone. It's funny how some people can breeze through post stent procedure with little or no problems, and others have great difficulty.
Tito Jacinto
18 June 2013
O yeah right. My dr also change my heart meds and lowered the dosage of my atorvastatin from 80mg to 20mg. Combinations of meds should also be good. I am taking plavix, aspirin, ramipril, coralan and atorvastatin. Now i'm feeling better with this combination.
BigTonyT63
6 Oct 2017
How is your husband reacting to plavix ? My doctor switched me from brilinta to plavix today and she wants me to take 8 plavix tonight at one time to make the switch I’m a little nervous over this. Has he had any other side effects from the plavix ?
jojahunt
17 June 2013
I've been on Brilinta since November, 2011, due to having severe allergic reactions to Plavix and Effient. Had severe allergic reactions to Plavix and Effient and was unable to be desensitized to either of them. Had severe allergic reactions to Brilinta as well, but was able to be desensitized (for the most part) to it. The only reaction I still have, and will continue to have, is the shortness of breath (even when simply sitting).
Your husband could look into the desensitizing of Brilinta, but would have to be off of it for at least 5 days first, then have the desensitization done. The itching can make you feel like you're going insane, the dizziness is scary as all get out, the overall not feeling well gets tiresome, and the difficulty breathing/shortness of breath is a pain. People don't realize that those aren't "side effects" of the blood thinner, but are actual allergic reactions... and can thus be deadly.
I have to remain on Brilinta FOR LIFE, and am not looking forward to never being able to breath properly (and being careful of even a tiny scratch due to the heavy bleeding and inability to clot quickly). I highly suggest, if your husband's cardiologist will not look into him being desensitized to NOW, that he makes sure if they ever attempt to place him on blood thinners again, that he go through the desensitization first.
I even had to list being allergic to Plavix and Effient on all my medical records (doctors, hospitals, pharmacy) as to avoid any future allergic life altering reactions. Good luck to him, and I know his pain...
Sluggulchlady
17 June 2013
Thank you for Your response. It was very interesting. We never heard of desensitizing. What is it?
jojahunt
21 June 2013
Desensitization is usually done by an immunologist. It's the introduction of the medication, in either rapid or slow rates, from a miniscule amount up until the patient reaches the doctor's prescribed amount. Medical staff (immunologist and nurses) monitor your reactions to the medication, ie: shortness of breath, dizziness, rash, heart palpitations, etc., as well as the patient letting them know what's happening to them. The desensitization is either continued or discontinued based on how your body is reacting to the introduction of the medication.
This practice is done with many medications, but it was difficult to find an immunologist who would do it when I had it done. The cardiologist I had at the time was the one who was able to locate the immunologist, who also worked through Loyola University Hospital, in Chicago.
Desensitiaztion was attempted with the Plavix, I had reactions within the third increase in the med. Went back a second time to attempt the desensitization to Effient; same results as Plavix. Couldn't have the cardiac procedure done until I could find a anticoagulant my body could tolerate.
Brilinta had just recently been approved by the FDA, and the immunologist was the one who kept current on my case. He called to set up the desensitization for Brilinta... and it was a SUCCESS, except for the shortness of breath issue.
Sluggulchlady
22 June 2013
Thank you for the explanation. It was very helpful. I don't know if you read the reply I posted to Tito about my husband stopping his Simvastatin to see if it would make any difference in how he felt. Simvastatin alone has lots of terrible side effects. It did help somewhat but eventually he will have to begin taking it again. Thanks again.
Related topics
pruritus, nausea/vomiting, heart, brilinta, breathing
Further information
- Brilinta uses and safety info
- Brilinta prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Brilinta (detailed)
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