Does alcohol interact with Brilinta?
According to the product label from the manufacturer, Brilinta and Alcohol have no known medical interactions. However, for safety reasons, you should abstain from drinking while taking Brilinta with aspirin. Research indicates that aspirin have direct interaction with alcohol, If taken with aspirin, drinking alcohol increases the risk of stomach bleeding or ulcers.
But, it is essential to note that as blood thinners, alcohol and Brilinta both work to prevent blood clots. Moderate alcohol consumption should not have any adverse effects on Brilinta treatment. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines moderate alcohol consumption as two drinks or less for males and one drink or less for women per day.
In situations of extreme alcohol consumption, the potential risks of mixing Brilinta and Alcohol become more evident.
Risks of Brilinta and alcohol
Because it thins the blood, alcohol may be beneficial when consumed in moderation. Drinking alcohol in moderation has been linked to a lower risk of heart issues brought on by blood flow problems. Additionally, moderate alcohol consumption may improve blood flow and reduce the risk of blood clots.
On the contrary, excessive alcohol use may increase the heart attack or stroke risk. According to research, regular binge drinking has been linked to a higher risk of stroke. Long-term, heavy drinking can harm the liver and result in alcohol-related liver disease. Furthermore, chronic alcohol abuse can result in fat accumulation (fatty liver disease) and severe liver damage.
The risk of bleeding while taking Brilinta may be higher in men who consume more than four drinks per day or more than 14 drinks per week. While using Brilinta, women who consume more than three drinks per day or more than seven drinks per week may also be at a higher risk of bleeding.
Brilinta undergoes most of its processing in the liver. Thus, it should not be used by those with advanced liver disease. Those who take Brilinta and have liver illness may have a higher risk of bleeding.
Both alcohol and Brilinta have common side effects. They both have potential risk of making you feel queasy and nauseous. Use of Brilinta along with alcohol may raise the likelihood of developing these side effects.
Benefits of taking Brilinta
Brilinta is typically prescribed twice daily, in the morning and the evening FDA-approved applications include the following:
- Lowers the risk of cardiovascular mortality, heart attack, or stroke. It is better than clopidogrel for at least the first year post-ACS.
- Reduces the risk of clot formation in patients with stents placed to treat ACS.
- Lowers the chance of a first heart attack or stroke in high-risk CAD patients.
- Lessens the risk of stroke (NIH Stroke Scale score ≤5) or transient ischemic attack among patients.