Xarelto is prescribed to prevent blood clots and to protect people from strokes. The drugs generic name, rivaroxaban, is one of the newest anticoagulants developed by Bayer and Johnson & Johnson’s New Jersey unit, Janssen Pharmaceuticals. The blood thinner is supposed to prevent clots that can obstruct the blood flow to the vital organs. However, this drug differs from older versions because this anticoagulant is an oral type that is prescribed in one uniform dose. Older versions require doctors to prescribe specific doses for each individual.
Xarelto is FDA approved for use in patients who have had knee or hip replacements surgery to reduce the risk of blood clots which furthermore reduces the risk of stroke in people with atrial fibrillation (AF). Another FDA approved use of the drug also includes individuals who suffer from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).
Unfortunately, the exact reason why people take the drug is also one of the drugs most severe side effects of Xarelto. When bleeding occurs near a major organ such as the brain, lungs or kidneys, blood flow to that organ is interrupted, causing it to lose some or all of its functionality. This uncontrolled bleeding can cause irreversible damage that can lead to hospitalization or even death.
Studies that Show Risk
Information gathered from the reports associated with the FDA show that some patients may actually be at an increased risk for serious clots if they proceed to take Xarelto. Patients who had hip or knee replacement surgery had the highest risk, according to the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP). These clots may trigger strokes or heart attacks if they travel to the brain. Moreover, a British study in 2012 presented at the yearly meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons showed that people who took Xarelto had a major return-to-surgery rate within a month. Doctors in the study stopped prescribing the dug when “large, fresh wounds” were involved. Another one of the first published studies linking the blood thinner to these new complications appeared in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery in 2012. After researchers followed more than 13,000 people after hip or knee surgery, they discovered that those who took Xarelto had practically four times the risk of wound complications.
People who took Xarelto and suffered from permanent bleeding filed lawsuits to be compensated for medical bills, injuries and emotional trauma. Xarelto’s predecessor, Pradaxa, has already led to a number of lawsuits against its producer because of complications such as excessive bleeding and death. Its maker paid $650 million dollars to settle about 4,000 claims.
Some of the lawsuits filed against Bayer and Johnson & Johnson say that the company failed to warn the public of the dangers of permanent bleeding. Many of those injured were rushed to the hospital with severe bleeding. Lawsuits claim the drug’s makers misrepresented the safety and efficacy of the drug. Those currently involved in litigation claim the companies continued to sell Xarelto even when they knew it was dangerous.
Any of these side effects can cause serious health complications in patients who took Xarelto and may require extensive and costly treatment. Patients may also experience severe physical pain as well as mental health conditions as a result of developing these often chronic side effects [1].
Recent Litigation
Case 1: The plaintiff is alleging that his father’s death was caused by an uncontrollable internal bleeding incident directly linked to his father’s Xarelto usage. The complaint outlines that the plaintiff’s father was initially prescribed Xarelto in November 2012 to treat a heart condition he suffered from known as atrial fibrillation. The plaintiff’s father continued to take Xarelto until he died due to an internal bleed in March of 2013. The complaint details that the deceased would not have taken Xarelto if him and his son were fully aware of the real risks that the drug presented. If they were fully aware of the risks, they would have opted for a much safer alternative [2].
Case 2: A lawsuit was filed by the daughter of the deceased who lives in Vermont, and has now contended to punish the maker of the drug on behalf of her father. She seeks compensation for medical expenses, attorney’s fees, funeral and burial fees, and pain and suffering, among other things. Her complaint alleges that if her father had been made aware of the risks associated with the drug, they would have chosen a safer alternative. Additionally, she alleges that Janssen Pharmaceuticals (a division of Johnson & Johnson) and Bayer AG proved to be negligent and reckless by marketing a drug like Xarelto [3].
MDL: Late in 2014, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) announced that all nationwide Xarelto lawsuits filed in federal courts would be consolidated in the Eastern District of Louisiana before U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon. Experts estimate that eventually several thousand cases will be transferred into the MDL. All of these pending Xarelto lawsuits allege that the maker of the drug:
- Failed to provide proper warnings about the risks associated with uncontrollable internal bleeding that is due to Xarelto as well as the makers’ lack of treatment options following bleeding incidents.
- Misleadingly marketed Xarelto as a better alternative to warfarin (a blood thinner that has been on the market for decades and requires tests as well as strict diets when compared to Xarelto) pointing out that warfarin bleeding can be resolved with the administration of vitamin K [4].
Call an attorney if you have suffered chronic side effects from Xarelto
At the Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA in Clearwater, Florida, our experienced bad drug attorneys know how to take on large pharmaceutical companies and stand up for the rights of innocent consumers. These cases can be complex and can take some time, but we will not stop working for your bests interests and to get you the compensation you deserve. Call our office today for a free consultation at (833) 606-DRUG [3784].
Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33765
(833) 606-DRUG [3784]
https://www.dolmanlaw.com/legal-services/defective-medication-attorneys
References:
[1] https://www.drugwatch.com/xarelto/
[2] Digital Journal – Press Release
[4] Lawsuit on Xarelto Claims Link to Ischemic Strokes and Other Bleeding Events
