Hi I had a heart attack nearly a year ago, four stents fitted and was advised to take Ticagrelor for a year and then stop. Spoke with others in similar position and they have been advised to continue taking Ticagrelor for up to 3 years at a reduced dose of 60mg. NICE guidelines issued in 2016 advise taking it for up to 3 years. Gp and practice nurse unsure. Anyone else been in similar position.
Thanks
Medication here depends on many factors; severity of heart attack, level of CVD (it is still present post bypass or stents), clotting factor, etc.). I would suggest you ring the nurse attached to the cardiology department where you had treatment. If it is stopped I feel your GP should arrange a follow up blood test to check the clotting factor.
Hi
Atky,
In accordance with NICE guidelines (2016) this can be taken up to 3 years at a reduced dose as you have said. There are limited data on the efficacy and safety of ticagrelor beyond 3 years of extended treatment. Your discharge summary should have indicated how long to continue taking this tablet and then it is for your cardiologist to determine for how long after this you continue. I would recommend contacting the cardiologist directly via their secretary via the hospital switchboard.
Take care,
Emily
it depends on what you are taking it for? some heart diseases make you prone to clot, therefore in these cases it is probably more important than aspirin which makes your blood more slippy and worfrin that makes blood thinner. l was given a months rest and then put back on it, but l have a heart disease that BHF dont recognise, sorry Em and milkfairy!
Ive been on ticagulor for nearly 3 years my cardiologist advised as long as i can tolerate ive too stay on it . im at a point where i think if they take it away and leave me with Aspirin id panic. but at the minute im leaving it to the so called experts .
I was on a clinical trial taking it for 15 months along with aspirin or placebo. After that I was just told to take aspirin.
What dosage of aspirin and did you just stopped ticagrelor ...
I take standard aspirin which I buy from the chemist as I don't like the dispersible ones which you get on prescription. It's cheap anyway. The ticagralor was just stopped at the end of the trial. It wasn't necessary to reduce it gradually.
Is there a measurement for clot factor? at what stage it is safe to discontinue?
Hi I had a cardiac arrest in 2015 and have had 6 stents fitted since I will always remain on the reduced dose. I have ongoing problems and my cardiologist has explained that that's the reason why I will always continue to take it. I'm having another angiogram with more stents likely. My dose will increase to 90mg prior to the procedure as a precaution. Hope this helps.
After my HA in Dec 2016, I was sent home with various drugs, Ticagrelor, Aspirin, Statins etc. I asked the Cardiologist why I couldn't keep on taking after a year, he told me it was the limit as it didn't work after that, as I became allergic to Aspirin, and the Statin, I was then put on Clopidogrel, since then I have been fine.
Listen to ur doctors and nurses on this as they kno y u need it.
Hello,
My name is Rob, had a cardiac arrest 12 months ago, had 2 stents and lost a considerable part of my heart function, been on 90mg of Ticagrelor, consultant says OK for anti platelet therapy to continue for another 2 years, Doctor is refusing to give presciption for Ticargrelor stating it is not cost effect on the basis that the cost of Clopidogrel at £7 per month compared to Ticagrelor at £56 per month, states in a letter Quote( My impression is that there is no evidence that ticagrelor is more effective than Clopidogrel after 12 months.) Quote, his impresion is not fact, what to do, my choice is Ticagrelor.
Seems odd for the GP to bring up cost issue. I would have thought NICE are the people who make the cost benefit calculation.
For me if the subject expect recommends it it’s not the place of the GP to counter/block without consulting the cardiologist. Or providing clinical justification.
Rob again, I researched the subject, presented this to doctor who then prescribed Ticagrelor for a further 2 years, I was thanked for the research.
Hi Bobclive. I’m on Ticagrelor 60 mg lifelong. Consultant said it’s necessary. If your consultant says it’s necessary then ask your GP if it’ll be cost effective for the family to sue him for negligence. This again is a postcode lottery I think. When I lived in Leeds I couldn’t get a doctor’s appointment for three weeks. Now I come under Wakefield I can get appointment the same day. I had one today because I’m unwell and it’s nothing to do with my heart.
Hi highnoon here my doctor told me till stop after the yr first day of hope I don't b as cold as I used till b
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