Get your patient on Ticagrelor

Ticagrelor tablets are indicated to reduce the risk of a first MI or stroke in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) at high risk for such events [see Clinical Studies (14.2 )] . While use is not limited to this setting, the efficacy of ticagrelor tablets was established in a population with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Ticagrelor tablets are indicated to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with acute ischemic stroke (NIH Stroke Scale score ≤5) or high-risk transient ischemic attack (TIA) [see Clinical Studies (14.3 )] .

Advise patients who miss a dose of ticagrelor tablets to take their next dose at its scheduled time.

For patients who are unable to swallow tablets whole, ticagrelor tablets tablets can be crushed, mixed with water, and drunk. The mixture can also be administered via a nasogastric tube (CH8 or greater) [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] .

Do not administer ticagrelor tablets with another oral P2Y12 platelet inhibitor.

Avoid aspirin at doses higher than recommended [see Clinical Studies (14.1)] .

Administer 60 mg of ticagrelor tablets twice daily.

Generally, use ticagrelor tablets with a daily maintenance dose of aspirin of 75 mg to 100 mg [see Clinical Studies (14 )] .

Initiate treatment with a 180 mg loading dose of ticagrelor tablets and then continue with 90 mg twice daily for up to 30 days. Administer the first maintenance dose 6 to 12 hours after the loading dose. (14.3 )].

Use ticagrelor tablets with a loading dose of aspirin (300 mg to 325 mg) and a daily maintenance dose of aspirin of 75 mg to 100 mg [see Clinical Studies (14 )] .

Risk Summary

Available data from case reports with ticagrelor use in pregnant women have not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Ticagrelor given to pregnant rats and pregnant rabbits during organogenesis caused structural abnormalities in the offspring at maternal doses about 5 to 7 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) based on body surface area. When ticagrelor was given to rats during late gestation and lactation, pup death and effects on pup growth were seen at approximately 10 times the MRHD (see Data).

The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively.

Data

Animal Data

In reproductive toxicology studies, pregnant rats received ticagrelor during organogenesis at doses from 20 to 300 mg/kg/day. 20 mg/kg/day is approximately the same as the MRHD of 90 mg twice daily for a 60 kg human on a mg/m ² basis. Adverse outcomes in offspring occurred at doses of 300 mg/kg/day (16.5 times the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis) and included supernumerary liver lobe and ribs, incomplete ossification of sternebrae, displaced articulation of pelvis, and misshapen/misaligned sternebrae. At the mid-dose of 100 mg/kg/day (5.5 times the MRHD on a mg/m ² basis), delayed development of liver and skeleton was seen. When pregnant rabbits received ticagrelor during organogenesis at doses from 21 to 63 mg/kg/day, fetuses exposed to the highest maternal dose of 63 mg/kg/day (6.8 times the MRHD on a mg/m ² basis) had delayed gall bladder development and incomplete ossification of the hyoid, pubis and sternebrae occurred.

In a prenatal/postnatal study, pregnant rats received ticagrelor at doses of 10 to 180 mg/kg/day during late gestation and lactation. Pup death and effects on pup growth were observed at 180 mg/kg/day (approximately 10 times the MRHD on a mg/m ² basis). Relatively minor effects such as delays in pinna unfolding and eye opening occurred at doses of 10 and 60 mg/kg (approximately one-half and 3.2 times the MRHD on a mg/m ² basis).

Risk Summary

There are no data on the presence of ticagrelor or its metabolites in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. Ticagrelor and its metabolites were present in rat milk at higher concentrations than in maternal plasma. When a drug is present in animal milk, it is likely that the drug will be present in human milk. Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with ticagrelor.

The safety and effectiveness of ticagrelor have not been established in pediatric patients. Effectiveness was not demonstrated in an adequate and well-controlled study conducted in 101 ticagrelor-treated pediatric patients, aged 2 to <18 for reducing the rate of vaso-occlusive crises in sickle cell disease.

About half of the patients in THEMIS and THALES were ≥65 years of age and at least 15% were ≥75 years of age. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between elderly and younger patients.

Ticagrelor is metabolized by the liver and impaired hepatic function can increase risks for bleeding and other adverse events. Avoid use of ticagrelor in patients with severe hepatic impairment. There is limited experience with ticagrelor in patients with moderate hepatic impairment; consider the risks and benefits of treatment, noting the probable increase in exposure to ticagrelor. No dosage adjustment is needed in patients with mild hepatic impairment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5 ) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3 )].

No dosage adjustment is needed in patients with renal impairment [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease on dialysis

Clinical efficacy and safety studies with ticagrelor did not enroll patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on dialysis. In patients with ESRD maintained on intermittent hemodialysis, no clinically significant difference in concentrations of ticagrelor and its metabolite and platelet inhibition are expected compared to those observed in patients with normal renal function [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] . It is not known whether these concentrations will lead to similar efficacy and safety in patients with ESRD on dialysis as were seen in THEMIS and THALES.

Ticagrelor tablets are contraindicated in patients with a history of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) because of a high risk of recurrent ICH in this population [see Clinical Studies (14.2 )].

Ticagrelor tablets are contraindicated in patients with active pathological bleeding such as peptic ulcer or intracranial hemorrhage [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

Ticagrelor tablets are contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity (e.g., angioedema) to ticagrelor or any component of the product.

Drugs that inhibit platelet function including ticagrelor increase the risk of bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) and Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

Patients treated for acute ischemic stroke or TIA

Patients at NIHSS >5 and patients receiving thrombolysis were excluded from THALES and use of ticagrelor in such patients is not recommended.

Discontinuation of ticagrelor will increase the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and death in patients being treated for coronary artery disease. If ticagrelor must be temporarily discontinued (e.g., to treat bleeding or for significant surgery), restart it as soon as possible. When possible, interrupt therapy with ticagrelor for five days prior to surgery that has a major risk of bleeding. Resume ticagrelor as soon as hemostasis is achieved.

In clinical trials, about 21% (THEMIS) of patients treated with ticagrelor developed dyspnea. Dyspnea was usually mild to moderate in intensity and often resolved during continued treatment but led to study drug discontinuation in 1.0% (THALES) and 6.9% (THEMIS) of patients.

If a patient develops new, prolonged, or worsened dyspnea that is determined to be related to ticagrelor, no specific treatment is required; continue ticagrelor without interruption if possible. In the case of intolerable dyspnea requiring discontinuation of ticagrelor, consider prescribing another antiplatelet agent.

Ticagrelor can cause ventricular pauses [see Adverse Reactions (6.1 )] . Bradyarrhythmias including AV block have been reported in the postmarketing setting. Patients with a history of sick sinus syndrome, 2 ^nd or 3 ^rd degree AV block or bradycardia-related syncope not protected by a pacemaker were excluded from clinical studies and may be at increased risk of developing bradyarrhythmias with ticagrelor.

Avoid use of ticagrelor in patients with severe hepatic impairment. Severe hepatic impairment is likely to increase serum concentration of ticagrelor. There are no studies of ticagrelor patients with severe hepatic impairment [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3 )].

Central sleep apnea (CSA) including Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR) has been reported in the post-marketing setting in patients taking ticagrelor, including recurrence or worsening of CSA/CSR following rechallenge. If central sleep apnea is suspected, consider further clinical assessment.

False negative functional tests for Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT)

Ticagrelor has been reported to cause false negative results in platelet functional tests (including, the heparin-induced platelet aggregation (HIPA) assay) for patients with Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT). This is related to inhibition of the P2Y ₁₂ -receptor on the healthy donor platelets in the test by ticagrelor in the affected patient's serum/plasma. Information on concomitant treatment with ticagrelor is required for interpretation of HIT functional tests. Based on the mechanism of ticagrelor interference, ticagrelor is not expected to impact PF4 antibody testing for HIT.

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

Ticagrelor has been evaluated for safety in more than 58,000 patients.

Bleeding in THEMIS (Prevention of major CV events in patients with CAD and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus)

The Kaplan-Meier curve of time to first TIMI Major bleeding event is presented in Figure 3.

Figure 3 - Time to first TIMI Major bleeding event (THEMIS)

T = Ticagrelor; P = Placebo; N = Number of patients

The bleeding events in THEMIS are shown below in Table 6.

Table 6 – Bleeding events (THEMIS)

Bleeding in THALES (Reduction in risk of stroke in patients with acute ischemic stroke or TIA)

The Kaplan-Meier curve of time course of GUSTO severe bleeding events is presented in Figure 4.

Figure 4 - Time course of GUSTO severe bleeding events

KM%: Kaplan-Meier percentage evaluated at Day 30; T = Ticagrelor; P = placebo; N = Number of patients

GUSTO Severe : Any one of the following: fatal bleeding, intracranial bleeding (excluding asymptomatic hemorrhagic transformations of ischemic brain infarctions and excluding microhemorrhages < 10 mm evident only on gradient-echo magnetic resonance imaging), bleeding that caused hemodynamic compromise requiring intervention (eg, systolic blood pressure <90 mmg Hg that required blood or fluid replacement, or vasopressor/inotropic support, or surgical intervention).

Intracranial bleeding and fatal bleeding in THALES: In total, there were 21 intracranial hemorrhages (ICHs) for ticagrelor and 6 ICHs for placebo. Fatal bleedings, almost all ICH, occurred in 11 for ticagrelor and in 2 for placebo.

Bradycardia

THEMIS and THALES excluded patients at increased risk of bradycardic events (e.g., patients who have sick sinus syndrome, 2 ^nd or 3 ^rd degree AV block, or bradycardic-related syncope and not protected with a pacemaker).

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of ticagrelor. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of an unknown size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

Blood and lymphatic system disorders: Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) has been rarely reported with the use of ticagrelor. TTP is a serious condition which can occur after a brief exposure (<2 weeks) and requires prompt treatment.

Immune system disorders: Hypersensitivity reactions including angioedema [see Contraindications (4.3)] .

Respiratory Disorders: Central sleep apnea, Cheyne-Stokes respiration

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Rash

Strong CYP3A inhibitors substantially increase ticagrelor exposure and so increase the risk of dyspnea, bleeding, and other adverse events. Avoid use of strong inhibitors of CYP3A (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, clarithromycin, nefazodone, ritonavir, saquinavir, nelfinavir, indinavir, atazanavir and telithromycin) [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3 )] .

Strong CYP3A inducers substantially reduce ticagrelor exposure and so decrease the efficacy of ticagrelor. Avoid use with strong inducers of CYP3A (e.g., rifampin, phenytoin, carbamazepine and phenobarbital) [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3 )] .

As with other oral P2Y ₁₂ inhibitors, co-administration of opioid agonists delay and reduce the absorption of ticagrelor and its active metabolite presumably because of slowed gastric emptying [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3 )] . Consider the use of a parenteral anti-platelet agent in acute coronary syndrome patients requiring co-administration of morphine or other opioid agonists.

Ticagrelor increases serum concentrations of simvastatin and lovastatin because these drugs are metabolized by CYP3A4. Avoid simvastatin and lovastatin doses greater than 40 mg [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3 )].

Ticagrelor increases serum concentration of rosuvastatin because rosuvastatin is a BCRP substrate [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3 ) ].

Ticagrelor inhibits the P-glycoprotein transporter; monitor digoxin levels with initiation of or change in ticagrelor therapy [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3 )].

Ticagrelor and its major metabolite reversibly interact with the platelet P2Y ₁₂ ADP-receptor to prevent signal transduction and platelet activation. Ticagrelor and its active metabolite are approximately equipotent.

The inhibition of platelet aggregation (IPA) by ticagrelor and clopidogrel was compared in a 6-week study examining both acute and chronic platelet inhibition effects in response to 20 μM ADP as the platelet aggregation agonist.

The onset of IPA was evaluated on Day 1 of the study following loading doses of 180 mg ticagrelor or 600 mg clopidogrel. As shown in Figure 5, IPA was higher in the ticagrelor group at all time points. The maximum IPA effect of ticagrelor was reached at around 2 hours, and was maintained for at least 8 hours.

The offset of IPA was examined after 6 weeks on ticagrelor 90 mg twice daily or clopidogrel 75 mg daily, again in response to 20 μM ADP.

As shown in Figure 6, mean maximum IPA following the last dose of ticagrelor was 88% and 62% for clopidogrel. The insert in Figure 6 shows that after 24 hours, IPA in the ticagrelor group (58%) was similar to IPA in clopidogrel group (52%), indicating that patients who miss a dose of ticagrelor would still maintain IPA similar to the trough IPA of patients treated with clopidogrel. After 5 days, IPA in the ticagrelor group was similar to IPA in the placebo group. It is not known how either bleeding risk or thrombotic risk track with IPA, for either ticagrelor or clopidogrel.

Figure 5 – Mean inhibition of platelet aggregation (±SE) following single oral doses of placebo, 180 mg ticagrelor or 600 mg clopidogrel

Figure 6 - Mean inhibition of platelet aggregation (IPA) following 6 weeks on placebo, ticagrelor 90 mg twice daily, or clopidogrel 75 mg daily

Transitioning from clopidogrel to ticagrelor resulted in an absolute IPA increase of 26.4% and from ticagrelor to clopidogrel resulted in an absolute IPA decrease of 24.5%. Patients can be transitioned from clopidogrel to ticagrelor without interruption of antiplatelet effect [see Dosage and Administration (2)] .

Ticagrelor demonstrates dose proportional pharmacokinetics, which are similar in patients and healthy volunteers.

Absorption

Ticagrelor can be taken with or without food. Absorption of ticagrelor occurs with a median t _max of 1.5 h (range 1.0–4.0). The formation of the major circulating metabolite AR-C124910XX (active) from ticagrelor occurs with a median t _max of 2.5 h (range 1.5-5.0).

The mean absolute bioavailability of ticagrelor is about 36% (range 30%-42%). Ingestion of a high-fat meal had no effect on ticagrelor C _max , but resulted in a 21% increase in AUC. The C _max of its major metabolite was decreased by 22% with no change in AUC.

Ticagrelor as crushed tablets mixed in water, given orally or administered through a nasogastric tube into the stomach, is bioequivalent to whole tablets (AUC and C _max within 80-125% for ticagrelor and AR-C124910XX) with a median t _max of 1.0 hour (range 1.0 – 4.0) for ticagrelor and 2.0 hours (range 1.0 –8.0) for AR-C124910XX.

Distribution

The steady state volume of distribution of ticagrelor is 88 L. Ticagrelor and the active metabolite are extensively bound to human plasma proteins (>99%).

Metabolism

CYP3A4 is the major enzyme responsible for ticagrelor metabolism and the formation of its major active metabolite. Ticagrelor and its major active metabolite are weak P-glycoprotein substrates and inhibitors. The systemic exposure to the active metabolite is approximately 30-40% of the exposure of ticagrelor. Ticagrelor is a BCRP inhibitor.

Excretion

The primary route of ticagrelor elimination is hepatic metabolism. When radiolabeled ticagrelor is administered, the mean recovery of radioactivity is approximately 84% (58% in feces, 26% in urine). Recoveries of ticagrelor and the active metabolite in urine were both less than 1% of the dose. The primary route of elimination for the major metabolite of ticagrelor is most likely to be biliary secretion. The mean t _1/2 is approximately 7 hours for ticagrelor and 9 hours for the active metabolite.

Specific Populations

The effects of age, gender, ethnicity, renal impairment and mild hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of ticagrelor are presented in Figure 7. Effects are modest and do not require dose adjustment.

Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease on Hemodialysis

In patients with end stage renal disease on hemodialysis AUC and C _max of ticagrelor 90 mg administered on a day without dialysis were 38% and 51% higher respectively, compared to subjects with normal renal function. A similar increase in exposure was observed when ticagrelor was administered immediately prior to dialysis showing that ticagrelor is not dialyzable. Exposure of the active metabolite increased to a lesser extent. The IPA effect of ticagrelor was independent of dialysis in patients with end stage renal disease and similar to healthy adults with normal renal function.

Figure 7 – Impact of intrinsic factors on the pharmacokinetics of ticagrelor

•    Single-dose of ticagrelor administered on a day without dialysis

•• Ticagrelor has not been studied in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment

Effects of Other Drugs on Ticagrelor

CYP3A4 is the major enzyme responsible for ticagrelor metabolism and the formation of its major active metabolite. The effects of other drugs on the pharmacokinetics of ticagrelor are presented in Figure 8 as change relative to ticagrelor given alone (test/reference). Strong CYP3A inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, and clarithromycin) substantially increase ticagrelor exposure. Moderate CYP3A inhibitors have lesser effects (e.g., diltiazem). CYP3A inducers (e.g., rifampin) substantially reduce ticagrelor blood levels. P-gp inhibitors (e.g., cyclosporine) increase ticagrelor exposure.

Co-administration of 5 mg intravenous morphine with 180 mg loading dose of ticagrelor decreased observed mean ticagrelor exposure by up to 25% in healthy adults and up to 36% in ACS patients undergoing PCI. Tmax was delayed by 1-2 hours. Exposure of the active metabolite decreased to a similar extent. Morphine co-administration did not delay or decrease platelet inhibition in healthy adults. Mean platelet aggregation was higher up to 3 hours post loading dose in ACS patients co-administered with morphine.

Co-administration of intravenous fentanyl with 180 mg loading dose of ticagrelor in ACS patients undergoing PCI resulted in similar effects on ticagrelor exposure and platelet inhibition.

Figure 8 – Effect of co-administered drugs on the pharmacokinetics of ticagrelor

•See Dosage and Administration (2)

Effects of Ticagrelor on Other Drugs

In vitro metabolism studies demonstrate that ticagrelor and its major active metabolite are weak inhibitors of CYP3A4, potential activators of CYP3A5 and inhibitors of the P-gp transporter. In vitro metabolism studies demonstrate that ticagrelor is a BCRP inhibitor. Ticagrelor and AR-C124910XX were shown to have no inhibitory effect on human CYP1A2, CYP2C19, and CYP2E1 activity. For specific in vivo effects on the pharmacokinetics of simvastatin, atorvastatin, ethinyl estradiol, levonorgesterol, tolbutamide, digoxin and cyclosporine, see Figure 9.

Figure 9 – Impact of Ticagrelor on the pharmacokinetics of co-administered drugs

•    Similar increases in AUC and C _max were observed for all metabolites

•• Monitor digoxin levels with initiation of or change in ticagrelor therapy

Carcinogenesis

Ticagrelor was not carcinogenic in the mouse at doses up to 250 mg/kg/day or in the male rat at doses up to 120 mg/kg/day (19 and 15 times the MRHD of 90 mg twice daily on the basis of AUC, respectively). Uterine carcinomas, uterine adenocarcinomas and hepatocellular adenomas were seen in female rats at doses of 180 mg/kg/day (29-fold the maximally recommended dose of 90 mg twice daily on the basis of AUC), whereas 60 mg/kg/day (8-fold the MRHD based on AUC) was not carcinogenic in female rats.

Mutagenesis

Ticagrelor did not demonstrate genotoxicity when tested in the Ames bacterial mutagenicity test, mouse lymphoma assay and the rat micronucleus test. The active O-demethylated metabolite did not demonstrate genotoxicity in the Ames assay and mouse lymphoma assay.

Impairment of Fertility

Ticagrelor had no effect on male fertility at doses up to 180 mg/kg/day or on female fertility at doses up to 200 mg/kg/day (>15-fold the MRHD on the basis of AUC). Doses of ≥10 mg/kg/day given to female rats caused an increased incidence of irregular duration estrus cycles (1.5-fold the MRHD based on AUC).

THEMIS

The THEMIS study (NCT01991795) was a double-blind, parallel group, study in which 19,220 patients with CAD and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) but no history of MI or stroke were randomized to twice daily ticagrelor or placebo, on a background of 75-150 mg of aspirin. The primary endpoint was the composite of first occurrence of CV death, MI, and stroke. CV death, MI, ischemic stroke, and all-cause death were assessed as secondary endpoints.

Patients were eligible to participate if they were ≥ 50 years old with CAD, defined as a history of PCI or CABG, or angiographic evidence of ≥ 50% lumen stenosis of at least 1 coronary artery and T2DM treated for at least 6 months with glucose-lowering medication. Patients with previous intracerebral hemorrhage, gastrointestinal bleeding within the past 6 months, known bleeding diathesis, and coagulation disorder were excluded. Patients taking anticoagulants or ADP receptor antagonists were excluded from participating, and patients who developed an indication for those medications during the trial were discontinued from study drug.

Patients were treated for a median of 33 months and up to 58 months.

Patients were predominantly male (69%) with a mean age of 66 years. At baseline, 80% had a history of coronary artery revascularization; 58% had undergone PCI, 29% had undergone a CABG and 7% had undergone both. The proportion of patients studied in the US was 12%. Patients in THEMIS had established CAD and other risk factors that put them at higher cardiovascular risk.

Ticagrelor was superior to placebo in reducing the incidence of CV death, MI, or stroke. The effect on the composite endpoint was driven by the individual components MI and stroke; see Table 9.

Table 9 – Primary composite endpoint, primary endpoint components, and secondary endpoints (THEMIS)

CI = Confidence interval; CV = Cardiovascular; HR = Hazard ratio; MI = Myocardial infarction.

• Primary endpoint

† The event rate for the components CV death, MI and stroke are calculated from the actual number of first events for each component.

The Kaplan-Meier curve (Figure 15) shows time to first occurrence of the primary composite endpoint of CV death, MI, or stroke.

Figure 15 - Time to First Occurrence of CV death, MI or Stroke (THEMIS)

T = Ticagrelor; P = Placebo; N = Number of patients.

The treatment effect of ticagrelor appeared similar across patient subgroups, see Figure 16.

Figure 16 –Subgroup analyses of ticagrelor (THEMIS)

Note: The figure above presents effects in various subgroups all of which are baseline characteristics. The 95% confidence limits that are shown do not take into account how many comparisons were made, nor do they reflect the effect of a particular factor after adjustment for all other factors. Apparent homogeneity or heterogeneity among groups should not be over-interpreted.

THALES

The THALES study (NCT03354429) was a 11,016-patient, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study of ticagrelor 90 mg twice daily versus placebo in patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). The primary endpoint was the first occurrence of the composite of stroke and death up to 30 days. Ischemic stroke was assessed as one of the secondary endpoints.

Patients were eligible to participate if they were ≥40 years old, with non-cardioembolic acute ischemic stroke (NIHSS score ≤5) or high-risk TIA (defined as ABCD2 score ≥6 or ipsilateral atherosclerotic stenosis ≥50% in the internal carotid or an intracranial artery). Patients who received thrombolysis or thrombectomy within 24 hours prior to randomization were not eligible.

Patients were randomized within 24 hours of onset of an acute ischemic stroke or TIA to receive 30 days of either ticagrelor (90 mg twice daily, with an initial loading dose of 180 mg) or placebo, on a background of aspirin initially 300-325 mg then 75-100 mg daily. The median treatment duration was 31 days.

Ticagrelor was superior to placebo in reducing the rate of the primary endpoint (composite of stroke and death), corresponding to a relative risk reduction (RRR) of 17% and an absolute risk reduction (ARR) of 1.1% (Table 10). The effect was driven primarily by a significant reduction in the stroke component of the primary endpoint (19% RRR, 1.1% ARR).

Table 10 - Incidences of the primary composite endpoint, primary composite endpoint components, and secondary endpoint (THALES)

CI = Confidence interval; HR = Hazard ratio; KM = Kaplan-Meier percentage calculated at 30 days; N = Number of patients

•The number of patients with the event of interest. In the time to first stroke, patients who died are censored at the time of death.

The Kaplan-Meier curve (Figure 17) shows the time to first occurrence of the primary composite endpoint of stroke and death.

Figure 17 – Time to First Occurrence of Stroke or Death (THALES)

KM%: Kaplan-Meier percentage evaluated at Day 30; T=Ticagrelor; P=placebo; N=Number of patients

Ticagrelor's treatment effect on stroke and on death accrued over the first 10 days and was sustained at 30 days. Although not studied, this suggests that shorter treatment could result in similar benefit and reduced bleeding risk.

The treatment effect of ticagrelor was generally consistent across pre-defined subgroups (Figure 18).

Figure 18 – Subgroup analyses of ticagrelor 90 mg (THALES)

Note: The figure above presents effects in various subgroups all of which are baseline characteristics and were pre-specified. The 95% confidence limits that are shown do not take into account how many comparisons were made, nor do they reflect the effect of a particular factor after adjustment for all other factors. Apparent homogeneity or heterogeneity among groups should not be over-interpreted.

At Day 30, there was an absolute reduction of 1.2% (95% CI: -2.1%, -0.3%) in the incidence of non-hemorrhagic stroke and death (excluding fatal bleed) favoring ticagrelor (294 events: 5.3%) over placebo (359 events: 6.5%) in the intention-to-treat population. In the same population, there was an absolute increase of 0.4% (95% CI: 0.2%, 0.6%) in the incidence of GUSTO severe bleeding unfavorable to ticagrelor arm (28 events: 0.5%) compared to the placebo arm (7 events: 0.1%).