Ticagrelor 51 weeks on

[doktordru]

As you'll gather from the subject, I've been taking 90mg of Ticagrelor Twice day since being discharged after my heart attack at the end of July last year.

It's been explained to me why you typically only take Ticagrelor for a year - (and I'm scheduled to stop next week) but my question is, am I likely to feel different/notice any differences once I stop taking it?

My meds routine has been the standard mix of Disp Aspirin, Bisoprolol, Atorvastin as well as Lansoprazole which was added about 9 months ago.

Also - if I stop taking Ticagrelor is it usual to stop taking Lansoprazole at the same time?

I feel very lucky in that since my heart attack I've done all the 'right things' and am feeling great and generally fitter than ever and really value the insight and stories shared here.

Any observations welcomed.

Thanks

Andrew

[doktordru]

footnote - I've found some similar recent posts which were helpful - but I'll leave this up if only to say thanks again for the feeling of community I get here

[MrsSuzuki in reply to doktordru]

I didn't notice any difference after stopping ticagrelor at all.I couldn't manage to take Lansoprazole, or any of the other 'prazoles', so the doctor agreed I could take coated aspirin instead.

Lily

[Alison_L]

Hi dru. I didn’t notice any change when I stopped the ticagrelor. As BeKind28 says, you will need to continue with the Lansoprazole to protect your stomach from the aspirin x

[Jules2021]

Hi AndrewThe biggest difference from my experience is you will have less bruises lol

The lanzoprazole will be continued as you are still on asprin so it helps protect your stomach from that.

Good luck in your continued journey.

Jules x

[Coopergirl52]

Hello doktordru.

I was put on Ticagrelor 90mg after my heart attack in April last year but was advised by the consultant after the 12 months is up that the dose should be reduced to 60mg for a further 3 years which I'm on now.

Hope this helps.

[Harefieldfan]

hi. I was hoping to be taken off Ticagrelor yesterday but my cardiologist was on strike. I’ve been reduced to 60 mg a day. Sometimes I forget to take the second tablet and nothing happens. I just might take myself off it as guidelines say one year after stent insertion. I take soluble aspirin but would love to investigate coated. Sorry if this post is all over the place, but good luck to you!

[lizzieloo2]

My husband stopped taking Ticagrelor in May/June after taking it for a year following a heart attack and stent in April last year. Had to ask GP if he should stop as no follow-up from hospital. She just said yes so he stopped and luckily has had no ill effects. The bruising is getting better but it still hasn't gone altogether yet. Still taking all other tablets including Lansoprazole but he was taking that before the heart attack. Hope all goes well with you

[Eddie64]

lucky you I’ve got to take them for 3 years lol

[Qualipop]

You will have to carry on with lansoprazole to protect your stomach from the aspirin. I stopped ticagrelor after 3 months because it made me feel as if I couldn't breathe. I had no problems at all after stopping. After a couple of weeks or so it was changed to clopidogrel for the rest of the year and once again I just stopped with no ill effects.

[BicuspidBloke]

At my discharge appointment about six weeks ago I was told to stop taking Lansoprazole immediately because all seemed fine. I continued for three weeks because I had the supply but have been fine without. I was also told to stop taking Ticagrelor because I was getting a fair bit of bruising. Again I continued because a) I had just collected a new supply, b) I didn't mind the bruising, c) the healthcare professionals have spent twelve months referring to it as a wonderdrug so I wanted my full time in it. I will run if early next week so will have had about 11.5 months of it.

My point is... do I need to get in touch with someone about starting the Lansoprazole again when I switch to Aspirin next week?

[ChoochSiesta in reply to BicuspidBloke]

I have been on Aspirin for over 9 years without any prazoles. Also been on Ticagrelor and Clopidogrel. I don't like the sound of the side effects of prazoles - they reduce absorption of nutrients in food.

[BicuspidBloke in reply to ChoochSiesta]

Ah, cheers for that reassurance. I was fine about the switch until I read this thread and then went in to a little panic. Thank you again.

[doktordru]

Well, I'm 72 hours into my Ticagrelor free world and all is good. after discussion with the pharmacist she said I could also quit the Lansoprazole - not required when just taking dispersible aspirin. There seems. to be differing opinions here, but I stopped as oddly enough was not put on that as part of my discharge - was added later at my first 4 month review. So, so far so good. Trying to stop thinking of my blood becoming 'gloopy' again!

[Fastbike in reply to doktordru]

Good to hear doktordru !! I'm in exactly the same time frame as you. Told to end Ticagrelor from tomorrow. Hoping for no effects. I'd love to stop the Lansoprazole as well if I could. Will speak to my pharmacy later to see what their opinion is and maybe GP later this week. I am also on lifetime aspirin. Best of luck to you.

[doktordru in reply to Fastbike]

thank you - good luck with stopping - let me know how you get one almost a week now and all good. Take care.

[Fastbike in reply to doktordru]

Hello doktordru. Hospital told me to stop taking Ticagrelor as it's now 12 months since surgery, but 10 months since starting Ticagrelor. Saw gp yesterday and he went along with that. Feeling a bit apprehensive, but that's me !!! I told gp that I thought Lansoprazole didn't seem to agree with my bowels. He said now I am only on one blood thinner, aspirin the risk of bleeding is less so I can try stopping the Lanso as well, but he has given me 15 mg Lanso just incase on a "as needed " basis. A bit nervous about stopping meds, but I will see how I get on.

[doktordru in reply to Fastbike]

Good luck. I’m sure you’ll be fine. It’s an odd feeling for sure, dropping x 3 tablets a day from the routine but I think it’s as much in the head as anything.

[Fastbike in reply to doktordru]

👍