As with any anticoagulants (blood thinners) on the market today, Xarelto increases the risk of hemorrhaging, also known as excessive bleeding. However, patients on Xarelto have more than double the risk of stomach bleeding than those on another type of blood thinner. Furthermore, there is currently no antidote to reverse excessive bleeding in Xarelto patients. In response to the growing number of lawsuits against Xarelto manufacturer Janssen Pharmaceuticals, some of the thousands of lawsuits have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL). Contact a Boston Drug Injury Lawyer Today.
A popular blood thinner, particularly among adults undergoing knee and hip replacement surgeries, Xarelto can treat everything from risk of blood clots and hypertension to irregular heart rhythm and other heart conditions. Touted as a low-maintenance alternative to Coumadin, Xarelto is now at the core of thousands of lawsuits alleging serious harm or death. The husband of a patient who died after receiving a blood transfusion to treat Xarelto-related bleeding sued Janssen claiming the company failed to warn physicians and patients about the risks.
Drug companies have a duty to test pharmaceuticals and obtain FDA approval before marketing those drugs to the public. Once that approval is in place, drug companies are required to warn physicians and patients of any known risks or side effects. Failure to properly design or test a drug, or failure to warn the public about associated risks and side effects can result in serious problems for the drug manufacturer.
More than 6,000 Lawsuits Filed Against Xarelto Manufacturer
According to the report released by the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, a total of 6,457 lawsuits are currently pending against Janssen Pharmaceuticals. Of those cases, 40 have been consolidated into one case in Louisiana federal court. These cases, scheduled to begin in early 2017, will be tried as bellwether cases, setting the tone for upcoming Xarelto lawsuits.
Common Side Effects Associated with Xarelto
Side effects can range from mild to severe. If you develop any of these symptoms or side effects while taking Xarelto, it’s in your best interest to contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
- Bleeding gums
- Bloody stool
- Bowel problems
- Bladder problems
- Back pain
- “Pins and needles” or tingling feelings
- Excessive itching
Altman & Altman, LLP – Drug Injury Lawyers Serving Boston and the Surrounding Areas
If you or a loved one has been injured due to a dangerous prescription medication, failure to warn, or the negligence of a drug company, the legal team at Altman & Altman, LLP can help. With more than 50 years’ experience protecting the rights of drug injury victims, we know how to deal with pharmaceutical companies. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. Our skilled, compassionate attorneys have an impressive track record of obtaining compensation for clients, and we want to help you. When pharmaceutical companies put profits before the health and safety of the general public, they should be held accountable for those actions. Contact Altman & Altman, LLP today for a free and confidential consultation about your case.