A Lifesaving Heart Medicine Just Became Affordable

If you’ve had a heart attack, stroke, or a stent placed, chances are you’ve been prescribed medications to prevent future heart problems. You might know these as clopidogrel (Plavix®) or prasugrel (Effient®), which are both antiplatelet drugs. They help keep your blood flowing smoothly, which is especially important after heart procedures.

But there’s another medication in this family: ticagrelor (Brilinta®). Until now, many people weren’t offered ticagrelor because of the price. That’s about to change.

What makes ticagrelor different?

A large review of research involving over 25,000 people looked at ticagrelor compared to clopidogrel in patients who had heart attacks or needed stents.¹ The results showed that ticagrelor did a better job at preventing serious complications:

• It reduced the risk of dying from any cause by 21%.
• It lowered the risk of another heart attack by 26%.
• It cut the risk of having a stroke by 36%.

In short, ticagrelor has been shown to offer stronger protection. One tradeoff: it does come with a slightly higher risk of bleeding, which is something your doctor would weigh when deciding if it’s right for you.

Why hasn’t everyone been using it?

The biggest reason has been cost. Ticagrelor was brand-only for a long time, and the price was steep. Brilinta® is listed at $500 for a 30-day supply, and copays regularly creep above $100. Because of this, many people were prescribed clopidogrel or prasugrel instead, even though ticagrelor is often considered the first-choice option for people with certain types of heart problems and genetic makeup.

The big news: generic ticagrelor now costs just $21.90

We’re excited to share that ticagrelor is now available as a generic, and we’re offering a 60-tablet supply (a full month’s worth) for only $21.90. That’s a massive drop from the old price and puts this lifesaving medicine within reach for almost everyone.

Should you consider switching?

If you are currently taking clopidogrel or prasugrel, this is a good time to check in with your doctor. Ask whether ticagrelor might be a better option now that the cost is affordable. Your doctor will consider your medical history, any bleeding risks, and other factors to help you decide if it’s a smart move for you.

Even if ticagrelor isn’t the right fit for everyone, many patients who were previously steered away from it because of price now have the chance to get the best possible protection.

We make it simple to get started

Just ask your doctor to send your prescription to Blueberry Pharmacy, or fill out this form: https://form.jotform.com/kmccor2008/blueberryRx-signup. Once we get the prescription, we’ll contact you directly to confirm your details, provide counseling, and arrange delivery right to your door.

We’re proud to help make top-quality care affordable for everyone. To learn more or ask questions, give us a call at 412–612–2279.

1. Maqbool S, Ali MS, Rehman A, Ur Rehman ME, Iqbal J, Razzaq A, Kamal A, Shivamadhu SS, Afzal M, Fazal F, Basit J, Khalid SA. Efficacy and Safety Profile of Ticagrelor Versus Clopidogrel in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) for Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cureus. 2023 Oct 4;15(10):e46455. doi: 10.7759/cureus.46455. PMID: 37927743; PMCID: PMC10623206.