Ticagrelor and primidone interaction masquerading as dual antiplatelet therapy noncompliance

Future Cardiol. 2023 Mar;19(4):189-195. doi: 10.2217/fca-2023-0011. Epub 2023 Jun 14.

Abstract

Ticagrelor and aspirin is a common dual antiplatelet therapy regimen for patients who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention. Despite its ability to significantly reduce cardiovascular complications, ticagrelor response may be altered by other medications causing subtherapeutic effects. Traditionally, ticagrelor is thought to have fewer drug-drug interactions compared to other thienopyridine antiplatelet medications such as clopidogrel. Primidone, metabolized into phenobarbital, is a strong CYP-3A inducer that can reduce serum concentrations of ticagrelor resulting in ineffective antiplatelet therapy. We present a 67-year-old male who suffered in-stent thrombosis after percutaneous intervention possibly due to the interaction between primidone and ticagrelor.

Keywords: acute coronary syndrome; clopidogrel; coronary artery disease; percutaneous coronary intervention; primidone; ticagrelor.

Plain language summary

Ticagrelor and aspirin is a common antiplatelet regimen for patients who undergo coronary intervention and stent implantation. Ticagrelor is typically less associated with drug–drug interactions; however, our case illustrates an interaction between ticagrelor and primidone causing acute in-stent thrombosis to recently implanted drug-eluting stents.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Coronary Syndrome* / therapy
  • Aged
  • Clopidogrel / therapeutic use
  • Drug-Eluting Stents*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Percutaneous Coronary Intervention* / methods
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Primidone
  • Ticagrelor / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Ticagrelor
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
  • Primidone
  • Clopidogrel