Drug Injury Lawyers Blog
Up until recently, people at risk of stroke and blood clotting only had one highly-effective treatment option, warfarin. This decades-old anticoagulant (blood thinner), also known by its brand name Coumadin, has been used by millions of patients since it was introduced to the market in 1954. Although effective, warfarin is relatively high-maintenance, requiring that patients undergo routine monitoring and testing. In 2012, a new group of oral anticoagulants entered the market. Known as thrombin inhibitors, drugs including Xarelto and Pradaxa are marketed as a lower-maintenance, more convenient alternative to warfarin. The drugs’ manufacturers claim that monitoring and testing are not necessary while taking thrombin inhibitors. Unfortunately, this convenience has come with a price. Contact a Boston Drug Injury Lawyer Today.
Patients taking Xarelto are at an increased risk of dangerous hemorrhaging.
Warfarin has similar risks, but with one major difference – an antidote. If a patient on warfarin develops uncontrollable bleeding, the physician can administer a dose of vitamin K and fresh blood plasma to halt the bleeding. No such antidote exists for Xarelto. Therefore, uncontrollable bleeding in a Xarelto patient can lead to serious health complications, and even death.
Xarelto Lawsuits Consolidated into Multi-District Litigation in Louisiana
Due to the high volume of lawsuits against Xarelto manufacturer, Bayer, Xarelto cases have been consolidated into a multi-district litigation (MDL) lawsuit in the Eastern District of Louisiana. Many of the claimants allege that after using Xarelto they developed uncontrollable bleeding, resulting in emergency health situations and, in some cases, death. Now that the lawsuits have been consolidated into an MDL, a settlement negotiation process will begin. As the bellwether trial, the outcome of this MDL is likely to set the tone for future Xarelto litigation. In addition to the failure of Bayer to adequately warn physicians and consumers about the risks associated with its drug, the FDA claims that the manufacturer also made misleading claims about the associated risks. Last May, the manufacturer of Pradaxa, a similar thrombin inhibitor, agreed to settle about 4,000 lawsuits for a total of $650 million. This is good news for claimants in Xarelto lawsuits.
Common Xarelto Side Effects That May Indicate More Serious Complications
If you develop any of the following side effects or symptoms, contact your health care provider immediately:
- Blood in urine or stool
- Coughing or vomiting up blood
- ‘Pins and needles’ feeling anywhere on the body
- Bleeding gums
- Severe back pain
- Trouble swallowing
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness or faintness
- Severe headache
- Chronic nosebleeds
- Numbness
- Weakness in legs
The above symptoms may indicate larger, potentially life-threatening problems. Serious complications linked to Xarelto include:
- Cerebral bleeding
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Internal bleeding
- Rectal bleeding
- Disrupted liver functions
- Death
Altman & Altman, LLP – Boston’s Premier Drug Injury Law Firm
Despite the serious risks linked to Xarelto, the drug is still on the market and widely used today. In fact, the oral anticoagulant is projected to generate over $1 billion in sales this year. If you have been injured after taking Xarelto, Pradaxa, or any other type of thrombin inhibitor, the drug injury team at Altman & Altman, LLP can help. We have been protecting the rights of drug injury victims for over 50 years. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. Contact us today for a free consultation about your case.
