AstraZeneca today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration has approved a new administration option for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients who are unable to swallow Brilinta 90 mg tablets whole. Unlike other P2Y12 inhibitors, Brilinta has FDA approval to be crushed and administered in water by swallowing or via nasogastric tube.

“We know that some patients who experience a heart attack are unable to swallow medications whole, yet it is important for these patients to receive and continue their oral antiplatelet therapy,” said Steven Zelenkofske, DO, Vice President, US Medical Affairs, Cardiovascular, AstraZeneca. “This label update, like the recent announcement of the PEGASUS TIMI-54 results, is an example of our ongoing commitment to addressing important unmet patient needs through advancing our understanding of Brilinta.”

In the general population, survey data show that 40% of adults experience problems swallowing pills. This difficulty may increase with age. Moreover, some patients who experience a heart attack have difficulty swallowing medications in the emergency setting. This new administration option for Brilinta gives healthcare professionals flexibility in treating their ACS patients.

For more details, go to: http://www.astrazeneca-us.com/media/press-releases/Article/20150330-brilinta-receives-approval-for-new-administration