Coming off Ticagrelor

[GL1975]

Just wondering if anyone had any issues coming off Ticagrelor? It will be 12 month in November since my heart attack and the GP has told me to stop. I have to admit I’m a bit anxious about coming off them. Obviously won’t miss the bruises .

[pepper_uk]

I will be interested to see your replies to this, I am on Ticagrelor for 5 years. MI was two years ago Nov 15 2019. So two years in and wonder what effects of stopping this drug will be.

[SPV123]

Hello, i was on it for a year too, never noticed any effects after stopping it,

[Rosiemycat]

I reluctantly stopped taking Ticagrelor approx 2 months back after taking it for 4 years, I felt that taking it and Aspirin offered greater protection than Aspirin alone and was very concerned coming off it so I understand where your coming from but so far I feel fine haven’t had any worrying symptoms and recently had a Cardiac Perfusion scan, an ECG and echocardiogram and everything is fine so feel more reassured.

[Corriefan33 in reply to Rosiemycat]

Hi, just had the news I’ve been dreading. Got a text from my GP saying “cardiology have confirmed that you have completed the course of Ticagtelor so this should now be stopped and has been taken off your repeat prescription “ I feel terrified! It came as a shock as it will be 3 years next February so I thought at least they would leave me on it until then. Can’t see any point in speaking to my GP as she’ll just say she’s doing what the hospital have told her and won’t go against them.

[GL1975 in reply to Corriefan33]

Hi it really is worrying. I’m sure we will be fine but can’t help but be anxious. It is the GP who is stopping mine. She just said we haven’t heard anything from cardiologist to say otherwise. Hope it all works out well for you!

[Corriefan33 in reply to GL1975]

I’ve calmed down a bit now after reading all the other posts. Guess we just have to hope they know what they’re doing. Everyone else seems so concerned about bruising but I couldn’t care less about that. I’m just worried about the chance of getting clots. I can’t do anything about it so I’ll just have to get used to it. Fingers crossed. Stay safe xx

[SpiritoftheFloyd]

I see that you have had 2 stents. The majority of stents used are drug eluting stents which are coated with medication that is slowly released (eluted) to help prevent the growth of scar tissue in the artery lining. This helps the artery remain smooth and open, ensuring good blood flow. People who have drug-eluting stents need to take medications, such as clopidogrel or ticagrelor, to reduce the risk of stent clotting for at least one year after the stent is inserted. This is normally for 1 year, after which the risk of scar tissue is considered to be very small, although the medication can sometimes be prescribed for up to 3 years. After 1 year you will normally go down to taking aspirin, this is very much standard procedure for anyone who has been stented.

I stopped taking ticagrelor after 12 months and had no side effects. On the plus side, I stopped having so many bruises. Below is a link to an article on stents.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[GL1975 in reply to SpiritoftheFloyd]

Hi SpiritofthefloydThanks for the reply, that’s a great help and definitely put me at ease!

[YorkshireBlue]

Nothing negative to report but the one big positive is that the bruising has stopped. The occassional bouts of diarrohea have also reduced but I can't really attribute that down to the reduced meds.

[AShaw]

Like most I was on tic for a full year it was only when I stopped I realized that my breathlessness was because of the tic. It felt so great being able to complete a sentence without loosing my breath. If I had known it was the tic I would have stopped earlier. Also gone are the bruises and my nose used to bleed slightly every morning. So only good things about stopping for me.

[GL1975 in reply to AShaw]

That’s great to here. I also suffer from regular nose bleeds so that will be great if they stop.

[TP69]

I'm the opposite I cant wait to come off it, but have 4 mths to go till my 1yr anniversary. I'm hoping they take me off, can do without the bruises and weight gain, also breathless sometimes. I'm relying on my fitness and healthy eating to do the trick without it. Also I had no heart damage so maybe this is why you coming off after a year too? Wishing you the best of luck and pls keep us posted!