Xarelto is a “new” blood thinner that has been marketed as a significantly more convenient solution to the prevention of blood clots and stroke versus Coumadin / Warfarin, the solution that has been on the market for almost 60 years. As you will have seen in the commercials marketing Xarelto, the drug is promoted with the following benefits over Warfarin:
- is a once a day pill
- is a standardized dose of 20mg
- does not require routine blood monitoring
- does not require a strict dietary regime
Since its approval by the FDA in 2011, Xarelto has become a blockbuster drug for its manufacturers Bayer AG, and Janssen (J&J). The sales in 2013 were reported at $1.4 billion. However, over the last year several adverse bleeding events were reported to the FDA, and lawsuits are being filed around the country alleging that the drug causes uncontrollable bleeding, which had the users known prior to taking the drug, would not have done so.
Why is the Blood Thinner Prescribed?
Xarelto is approved by the FDA for treating individuals who have atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis in hip and knee replacement patients, and in general to reduce the risk of blood clots in patients who have an acute coronary heart syndrome. One could also argue, the drug is commonly prescribed because of its convenience on both the medical community and the individual requiring anti-coagulation treatment.
Xarelto is an Xa inhibitor, which is part of a new class of anti-coagulants that are more convenient than Warfarin. The other blood thinners in this class are Pradaxa (Dabigatran) and Eliquis (Apixaban).
Why are Xarelto Lawsuits Being Filed?
To date, there are approximately over one thousand lawsuits filed across the U.S. As previously reported on The Legal Herald, the MDL in Louisiana has grown to over 500 cases. In addition, our reporters have received information that the mass tort group developed in Philadelphia has now approximately 400 Xarelto lawsuits. There are several other filings around the country, and federal filings appear to grow steadily on a weekly basis.
One of the main concerns with Xarelto is that should one suffer an internal or external bleed, and the drug is active in your system, it cannot be reversed by the medical community. In fact, life saving measures are required via blood transfusions in order to flush the drug from the body. The lawsuits being filed, allege that the manufacturers failed to warn of this risk of uncontrollable bleeding and placed Xarelto into the marketplace where the benefits are outweighed by the risks.
What Are Common Side Effects & Injuries Referenced In Zofran Lawsuits?
Having read the complaints and fact sheets of several lawsuits, attorney Marc Goldich of Sheller P.C. commented:
“most common fact patterns that we see involve an elderly individual who took the blood thinner for afib or to prevent DVT after a joint replacement surgery. They suffer some trauma, or internal bleed. They are admitted to hospital as they are exhibiting symptoms such as bloody stools, coughing up blood, and weakness. Typically some internal bleeding is found whether that is a brain bleed, gastrointestinal bleed, epidural hematoma, and a serious injury or death occurs because the bleed is uncontrollable”.
To summarize the common side effects and injuries referenced in the Zofran Lawsuits:
- GI Bleed / Abdominal bleeding
- Pulmonary embolism
- Stroke, brain bleed or subdural hematoma
- Spinal or epidural hematoma
- rectal or colon bleed
- Liver dysfunction
For any questions about this article, please direct inquiries to:
Contact Information:
Name: Marc Goldich, Esq.
Phone: 866-425-8902
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