What Platica is
Platica contains an active substance called ticagrelor. This belongs to a
group of medicines called antiplatelet medicines.
What Platica is used for
Platica in combination with acetylsalicylic acid )another antiplatelet agent(
is to be used in adults only. You have been given this medicine because you
have had:
• A heart attack, or
• Unstable angina )angina or chest pain that is not well controlled(.
It reduces the chances of you having another heart attack, stroke or dying
from a disease related to your heart or blood vessels.
How Platica works
Platica affects cells called ‘platelets’ )also called thrombocytes(. These very
small blood cells help stop bleeding by clumping together to plug tiny holes
in blood vessels that are cut or damaged.
However, platelets can also form clots inside diseased blood vessels in the
heart and brain. This can be very dangerous because:
• The clot can cut off the blood supply completely; this can cause a heart
attack )myocardial infarction( or stroke, or
• The clot can partly block the blood vessels to the heart; this reduces the
blood flow to the heart and can cause chest pain which comes and goes
)called ‘unstable angina’(.
Platica helps stop the clumping of platelets. This reduces the chance of a
blood clot forming that can reduce blood flow.
 

Do not take Platica if:
• You are allergic to ticagrelor or any of the other ingredients of this
medicine )listed in section 6(.
• You are bleeding now.
• You have had a stroke caused by bleeding in the brain.
• You have severe liver disease.
• You are taking any of the following medicines:
- Ketoconazole )used to treat fungal infections(
- Clarithromycin )used to treat bacterial infections(
- Nefazodone )an antidepressant(
- Ritonavir and atazanavir )used to treat HIV infection and AIDS(
Do not take Platica if any of the above applies to you. If you are not sure, talk
to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Platica if:
• You have an increased risk of bleeding because of:
- A recent serious injury
- Recent surgery )including dental work, ask your dentist about this(
- You have a condition that affects blood clotting
- Recent bleeding from your stomach or gut )such as a stomach ulcer or
colon ‘polyps’(
• You are due to have surgery )including dental work( at any time while
taking Platica. This is because of the increased risk of bleeding. Your doctor
may want you to stop taking this medicine 5 days prior to surgery.
• Your heart rate is abnormally low )usually lower than 60 beats per
minute( and you do not already have in place a device that paces your heart
)pacemaker(.
• You have asthma or other lung problems or breathing difficulties.
• You have had any problems with your liver or have previously had any
disease which may have affected your liver.
• You have had a blood test that showed more than the usual amount of
uric acid.
If any of the above apply to you )or you are not sure(, talk to your doctor or
pharmacist before taking this medicine.
If you are taking both Platica and heparin:
• Your doctor may require a sample of your blood for diagnostic tests if they
suspect a rare platelet disorder caused by heparin. It is important that you
inform your doctor that you are taking both Platica and heparin, as Platica
may affect the diagnostic test.
Children and adolescents
Platica is not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years.
Other medicines and Platica
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken
or might take any other medicines. This is because Platica can affect the
way some medicines work and some medicines can have an effect on Platica.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following
medicines:
• More than 40 mg daily of either Simvastatin or lovastatin )medicines used
to treat high cholesterol(
• Rifampicin )an antibiotic(
• Phenytoin, carbamazepine and phenobarbital )used to control seizures(
• Digoxin )used to treat heart failure(
• Cyclosporine )used to lessen your body’s defenses(
• Quinidine and diltiazem )used to treat abnormal heart rhythms(
• Beta blockers and verapamil )used to treat high blood pressure(
• Morphine and other opioids )used to treat severe pain(
In particular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of
the following medicines that increase your risk of bleeding:
• ‘Oral anticoagulants’ often referred to as 'blood thinners’ which include
warfarin.
• Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs )abbreviated as NSAIDs( often
taken as painkillers such as ibuprofen and naproxen.
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors )abbreviated as SSRIs( taken as
antidepressants such as paroxetine, sertraline and citalopram
• Other medicines such as ketoconazole )used to treat fungal infections(,
clarithromycin )used to treat bacterial infections(, nefazodone )an
antidepressant(, ritonavir and atazanavir )used to treat HIV infection and
AIDS(, cisapride )used to treat heartburn(, ergot alkaloids )used to treat
migraines and headaches(.
Also tell your doctor that because you are taking Platica, you may have an
increased risk of bleeding if your doctor gives you fibrinolytics, often called
‘clot dissolvers’, such as streptokinase or alteplase.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
It is not recommended to use Platica if you are pregnant or may become
pregnant. Women should use appropriate contraceptive measures to avoid
pregnancy while taking this medicine.
Talk to your doctor before taking this medicine if you are breast-feeding.
Your doctor will discuss with you the benefits and risks of taking Platica
during this time.
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are
planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before
taking this medicine.
Driving and using machines
Platica is not likely to affect your ability to drive or use machines. If you
feel dizzy or confused while taking this medicine, be careful while driving
or using machines.
Sodium content
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium )23 mg( per dose, that is to
say it is essentially ‘sodium-free’.
 

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with
your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
How much to take
• The starting dose is two tablets at the same time )loading dose of 180
mg(. This dose will usually be given to you in the hospital.
• After this starting dose, the usual dose is one tablet of 90 mg twice a day
for up to 12 months unless your doctor tells you differently.
• Take this medicine around the same time every day )for example, one
tablet in the morning and one in the evening(.
Taking Platica with other medicines for blood clotting
Your doctor will usually also tell you to take acetylsalicylic acid. This is a
substance present in many medicines used to prevent blood clotting. Your
doctor will tell you how much to take )usually between 75-150 mg daily(.
How to take Platica
• You can take the tablet with or without food.
If you take more Platica than you should
If you take more Platica than you should, talk to a doctor or go to hospital straight away.

Take the medicine pack with you. You may be at increased risk of bleeding.
If you forget to take Platica
• If you forget to take a dose, just take your next dose as normal.
• Do not take a double dose )two doses at the same time( to make up for the
forgotten dose.
If you stop taking Platica
Do not stop taking Platica without talking to your doctor. Take this medicine
on a regular basis and for as long as your doctor keeps prescribing it. If you
stop taking Platica, it may increase your chances of having another heart
attack or stroke or dying from a disease related to your heart or blood
vessels.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your
doctor or pharmacist.
 

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not
everybody gets them. The following side effects may happen with this
medicine:
Platica affects blood clotting, so most side effects are related to bleeding.
Bleeding may occur in any part of the body. Some bleeding is common )like
bruising and nosebleeds(. Severe bleeding is uncommon but can be life
threatening.
See a doctor straight away if you notice any of the following – you may need
urgent medical treatment:
• Bleeding into the brain or inside the skull is an uncommon side
effect, and may cause signs of a stroke such as:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of your arm, leg or face, especially if
only on one side of the body.
- Sudden confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding others.
- Sudden difficulty in walking or loss of balance or co-ordination.
- Suddenly feeling dizzy or sudden severe headache with no known cause.
• Signs of bleeding such as:
- Bleeding that is severe or that you cannot control.
- Unexpected bleeding or bleeding that lasts a long time.
- Pink, red or brown urine.
- Vomiting red blood or your vomit looks like ‘coffee grounds’.
- Red or black stools )look like tar(.
- Coughing up or vomiting blood clots.
• Fainting )syncope(:
- A temporary loss of consciousness due to sudden drop in blood flow to
the brain )common(.
• Signs of a blood clotting problem called Thrombotic
Thrombocytopenic Purpura )TTP( such as:
- Fever and purplish spots )called purpura( on the skin or in the mouth,
with or without yellowing of the skin or eyes )jaundice(, unexplained
extreme tiredness or confusion.
Discuss with your doctor if you notice any of the following:
• Feeling short of breath - this is very common. It might be due to
your heart disease or another cause, or it might be a side effect of Platica.
Platica-related breathlessness is generally mild and characterized as a
sudden, unexpected hunger for air usually occurring at rest and may appear
in the first weeks of therapy and for many may disappear. If you’re feeling
of shortness of breath gets worse or lasts a long time, tell your doctor. Your
doctor will decide if it needs treatment or further investigations.
Other possible side effects
Very common )may affect more than 1 in 10 people(
• High level of uric acid in your blood )as seen in tests(
• Bleeding caused by blood disorders
Common )may affect up to 1 in 10 people(
• Bruising
• Headache
• Feeling dizzy or like the room is spinning
• Diarrhea or indigestion
• Feeling sick )nausea(
• Constipation
• Rash
• Itching
• Severe pain and swelling in your joints – these are signs of gout
• Feeling dizzy or light-headed, or having blurred vision – these are signs of
low blood pressure
• Nosebleed
• Bleeding after surgery or from cuts )for example while shaving( and
wounds more than is normal
• Bleeding from your stomach lining )ulcer(
• Bleeding gums
Uncommon )may affect up to 1 in 100 people(
• Allergic reaction – a rash, itching or a swollen face or swollen lips/tongue
may be signs of an allergic reaction
• Confusion
• Visual problems caused by blood in your eye
• Vaginal bleeding that is heavier, or happens at different times, than your
normal period )menstrual( bleeding
• Bleeding into your joints and muscles causing painful swelling
• Blood in your ear
• Internal bleeding, this may cause dizziness or light-headedness
 

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not store above 30°C.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the blister
and carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask
your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These
measures will help to protect the environment.