Ticagrelor

So the time has finally come to stop taking Ticagrelor. I have spoken to GP and Cardio nurses who assure me that a straight stop is the way to go. There are some NICE guidelines that say you can continue for three years but both nurses and GP say only if you have another event

Question is has anyone else stopped like this and did they have any issues or effects?

D

[Shoshov]

I stopped with no side effects whatsoever

[Loving-life]

I stopped taking this drug 3 weeks before my year end was up. (I was due to have a small medical procedure, which luckily didn't end up having and had to come off it for it,)😃. No side effects whatsoever. In fact went out and celebrated the fact that I was off another drug 🤩🍸.

Well done for reaching 1 year anniversary. Go and celebrate this achievement. 👍x

[Nathan53]

Hello Fred - my understanding is that ticagrelor can be stopped without the need to reduce the dose. Following a heart attack in April 2018 I had 2 stents in the RCA. My LAD is approx 50% blocked and a total blockage in the LCX. Cardiologist is of the opinion that the risks of further stents (difficult area of the LAD) outweighed the possible benefits in view of fact that my heart appears to perform well. I asked about continuing ticagrelor at reduced dose beyond next April when I recently saw the Registrar and referred to NICE guidelines but she was adamant that it was 'risky' to continue as patients are more prone to bleeding and possible stroke. I challenged her interpretation but she wouldn't budge. She told me the drug maker is trying to pressure NHS to continue beyond 12 months but she felt it as a commercial bias. NICE clearly state ticagrelor is beneficial for up to 3 years for those who are at risk of a further heart or stroke so I am going to write directly to the Consultant or phone his Secretary and request another appointment. I would like nothing better than to stop ticagrelor however I feel the Registrar failed to 'realy' listen to what I was saying and then started giving me her opinion. There are times when I get really fed up of Dr's giving views without referring to the latest guidelines. Registrar was lovely person but talked non stop about how I had great knowledge and she liked that! when I really wanted was an unbiased clinical view. Hope I haven't sidelined your point Fred but I felt it may even be relevant to you.

[Hidden in reply to Nathan53]

Good luck any issues I've always found PALS to be helpful

[NorthantsSteve]

Hi Fredbare. Congratulations on reaching this milestone. I stopped after 12 months without issue. In fact I felt better, had more energy and stopped bruising so easily. And I could finally get a razor cut and not bleed for half the day. And ultimately stopping this enabled me to stop taking Lansoprazole (which was prescribed to counter the combined acidic effect of Ticagrelor and Aspirin).

[Atky]

Hi I stopped taking Ticagrelor in September a year after my severe heart attack. No side effects apart from a greater appetite.

[benjijen]

I was on it as part of a clinical trial along with aspirin/placebo for about 18 months following stents. Then just stopped it at the end. I obviously still take aspirin but had no bad side effects from stopping the ticagralor. And lot less bruising!

[Rosei]

I stopped and had no side effects, hope that answers your question.

[Marco123]

I stopped taking Ticagrelor a month ago as my year was up. No after effects, just happy my daily medication has been reduced.

[Hidden]

Thank you all. Here's hoping all goes well