Post stents

[Wellbrook]

Would welcome any feedback on the prescribing of Tricagrelor versus Clopidogrel. I understand that generally the NHS drug of choice post HA and stents is Tricagrelor, which is taken twice a day. Clopidogrel is taken once a day. Would be interested to hear how others have got on with one or the other of these two drugs.

[SpiritoftheFloyd]

I was on Tricagrelor for the first 12 months post heart attack. No side effects apart from the usual heavy bruising associated with any blood thinner.

[Outforawalk]

Same as SpiritoftheFloyd, no side effects to mention.

[DCIHarry]

It varies from person to person. You are right, Ticagrelor does seem to be the preferred drug of choice for the NHS. I was originally on Ticagrelor post HA but then had to switch to Clopidogrel after a significant internal bleed caused by the Ticagrelor.

[Heartattackvictim]

Yes I was on Ticagrelor for a year post heart attack and the only side effects were the bruising. Now I've come off it (as is standard practice) no more bruising.

[Collie7]

Yip same here was switched after HA and stent fitted. I will agree about the bruising a touch and there’s a bruise but otherwise fine😊

[Rosiemycat]

I had a heart attack in August 2017 and had a stent fitted I had one year of Ticagrelor and aspirin. I noticed online an article from NICE the medical authority that said people who’ve had heart attack with a stent fitted would benefit from 3 more years of Ticagrelor after having the first year. I mentioned this to my GP who said he would look into it and agreed that NICE had said that, he wrote to my Heart Consultant at the time who wrote back that in my case one year was sufficient, I then suggested paying for the course of Ticagrelor myself so my GP sent me to a private heart consultant who said NICE’s requirements to have extended Ticagrelor did cover my medical needs which includes among other things Diabetes, age I’m 77 years old and other conditions I’ve got. In August 2021 the course of Ticagrelor will be finally stopped as I will have been on the drug altogether 4 years, I have had no problems taking it for that length of time other than a lot of bruising some quite large all over. I would like to know if anyone has been on Ticagrelor for that long and how you come off it, do you suddenly stop it?”

[Qualipop]

I had both and both were one a day. Started on ticagrelor but it made me feel as if I was having asthma attacks. I was breathing OK; my sats were fine, it was a muscular reaction that made me feel short of breath. For me it was so upsetting I begged my GP to change it. He refused so, as I was going for another angiogram in a week's time, I stopped it so I could ask the consultant. Of course he went mad and couldn't do the angiogram without giving me a big loading dose of the alternative. Anyway everything went fine and I stayed on clopidogrel. I had no breathing problems on it but it upset my stomach very badly. I can't take PPIs so they were finding it difficult to get something else that protected my stomach properly so I was taken off it after 6 months and just took aspirin. So ticag-no stomach problems but tightness breathing; clopidogrel ok breathing but very bad stomach pain. Of course when on both I was absolutely covered in bruises. One or other is essential after stents for at least 6 months; usually 12 months

[2o2olockdown]

Hi I’ve been on one or the other since my mini stroke in 2014. I started with Clopidogrel and the neurologist said I should take it for life. After my HA in 2017 and additional drugs (Bisoprolol), I started to suffer with dizzy spells and was changed to Ticagrelor. The dizzy spells reduced. After 2 further angioplasties during lockdown, I’m back on clopidogrel along with occasional dizzy spells ☹️

At my next meds review I will discuss but at the moment feel better than I have for about 4 years

PS equal amount of bruising on either.

[scotsrish]

I would say type in brilanta or ticagrelor here and on drugs.com to see what others say. I really had a rough time with ticagrelor in the begining especially the constant chest pain and shortness of breath. There were more and many people told me to switch to clopidogrel (plavix) but my cardiologist told me to persevere as ticagrelor is newer. It is also very expensive! Clopidogrel has less side effects, is cheaper, has been around longer but ultimately it is up to you.

[Marvin123]

I had double by pass in March in two stents in July after a heart attack in January this year .I'm taking ticagrelor but am quite breathless,however I’m hanging on until jan as that’s when I stop taking it,to see if there is any improvement. Hopefully there will be as I feel crap most of the time . Also dreadful muscle aches ,never had either before the HA ! And I can not sleep ! But that’s ok I just read a lot .I take aspirin,bisoprodol,atorvastatin,omeprazole and ticagrelor. Any others with similar experiences?

Obviously I’m very happy to still be here and the NHS is beyond marvellous but just struggling with this stuff.My gp not too interested and had no follow ups or cardiac rehab because of the C word .

Any thoughts gratefully received.