Always follow the instructions from a pharmacist or doctor, or the leaflet in the medicine packet.
Dosage and how to take ticagrelor
Dosage and strength
Ticagrelor tablets come in strengths of 60mg or 90mg.
It comes as standard tablets that you usually swallow whole or tablets that melt in your mouth.
Dose if you've had a heart attack
On your first day of treatment, you'll take a single dose of 180mg. This will usually be two 90mg tablets taken at the same time.
After this, the usual dose is 90mg twice a day for 12 months.
Your doctor may advise you to keep on taking ticagrelor after you've finished the 12-month course of treatment. In this case, you'll usually take a lower dose of 60mg twice a day. You'll take this dose for up to 3 years.
Dose if you have unstable angina
On the first day of treatment, you'll take a single dose of 180mg. This will usually be two 90mg tablets taken at the same time.
After this, the usual dose is 90mg twice a day for 12 months.
Dose if you've had a minor stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (mini-stroke)
Ticagrelor may be prescribed by a specialist if you've had a minor stroke or a transient ischaemic attack.
On your first day of treatment, you'll take a single dose of 180mg. This will usually be two 90mg tablets taken at the same time.
After this, the usual dose is 90mg twice a day. You'll take this dose combined with aspirin for the first 30 days.
How to take it
When you start taking ticagrelor, you'll take 1 dose on your first day.
After this, most people take ticagrelor twice a day, usually once in the morning and once in the evening.
You can take ticagrelor with or without food.
How to take standard tablets
You'll usually swallow standard tablets whole with a drink of water. If you have trouble swallowing tablets, you can crush them and mix them with water.
How to take tablets that melt in your mouth
Put the tablet on your tongue and let it dissolve. You can then swallow it with or without water.
How long to take it for
You'll usually need to take ticagrelor for 12 months.
If you've had a heart attack, your doctor may want you to continue taking it for up to 3 years after you've finished the 12-month course.
If you've had a transient ischaemic attack, you'll take ticagrelor together with low-dose aspirin for the first 30 days. After this, you'll just take ticagrelor.
Do not stop taking ticagrelor without talking to your doctor.
If you stop taking ticagrelor, your blood will start clotting at the rate it did before you started taking it, usually within 2 days of stopping the medicine.
This means you may be at increased risk of serious problems like heart attacks or strokes.
If you forget to take it
If you forget to take a dose of ticagrelor, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.
Do not take 2 doses at the same time to make up for a forgotten one.
If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.
If you take too much
Taking 1 extra ticagrelor tablet is unlikely to harm you. But you'll need to get advice as the amount of ticagrelor that can lead to overdose is different for everyone.
Urgent advice: Contact 111 for advice now if:
- you've taken more than your prescribed dose of ticagrelor
Call 111 or get help from 111 online.
If you need to go to A&E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.
Bring the ticagrelor packet, or the leaflet inside it, plus any remaining medicine and any other medicines you take.