ticagrelor + morphine

Ticagrelor + morphine is a drug combination being evaluated in the NARCOTIC trial (Oral NAloxone to overcome the moRphine effect in acute COronary syndrome patients treated with TICagrelor) conducted by Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Bydgoszcz. Ticagrelor is a small molecule, reversible P2Y12 receptor antagonist used as an antiplatelet agent to prevent thrombotic events. Morphine is a mu-opioid receptor agonist used for pain management in patients with acute coronary syndromes, including unstable angina pectoris. The combination is of significant clinical interest due to the 'morphine effect,' a phenomenon where morphine co-administration delays the absorption and reduces the peak plasma concentration of oral P2Y12 inhibitors like ticagrelor, potentially delaying effective platelet inhibition. The NARCOTIC trial specifically investigates whether using crushed ticagrelor or adding oral naloxone can mitigate this negative interaction.

Other names

ticagrelor and morphine