Xarelto, an anticoagulant produced by Bayer, is a prescription medication designed to reduce the risk of stroke and blood clots in patients with atrial fibrillation that is not caused by heart valve problems. Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat that can cause blood clots to form. The clots can travel to the brain, causing a stroke or to other parts of the body where they may cause other damage. However, Xarelto side effects have been reported that are considered extremely dangerous and possibly life threatening, leading to an increase in lawsuits in Alabama and other states.
According to the Institute of Safe Medication Practices, reports of uncontrollable bleeding, one of the Xarelto side effects that have been largely minimized by Bayer, have increased. In the first quarter of 2013, the Institute of Safe Medication Practices, which monitors and analyzes serious adverse drug events reported to the FDA, found 680 adverse events by users of Xarelto, compared to only 528 by users of a similar drug, Pradaxa, which is also facing thousands of lawsuits. Both Xarelto and Pradaxa are newer blood thinners designed to replace Coumadin, also known as warfarin, which requires closer monitoring.
One of the biggest issues with the bleeding side effect of Xarelto is that there is no antidote when a bleeding incident occurs. The risk of bleeding increases with the use of all blood thinners, but healthcare providers in Alabama and other states have reported that they are unable to stop bleeding in many patients. When patients suffer a bleeding episode with warfarin, doctors are able to use a Vitamin K antidote to stop the bleeding. When patients using Xarelto suffer a serious bleeding episode, Vitamin K does not stop the bleeding, causing a number of deaths when doctors were unable to stop it.
Patients or their loved ones in Alabama, Georgia, Florida and other states have filed lawsuits against the makers of Xarelto, claiming that they suffered life-threatening, irreversible bleeding episodes. In some cases, family members have had to file lawsuits after their loved one died as the result of a bleeding incident caused by Xarelto.
In a study of 1,000 patients undergoing cardioversion who were switched from warfarin to Xarelto, it was discovered that four patients died in the Xarelto group compared to only two patients in the control group. This study has led some to question whether the drug is as effective at preventing strokes or heart attacks as warfarin as well as whether Xarelto side effects were worth the risk if the drug was not as effective as reported.
Have You Dealt With Xarelto Side Effects?
If you or a loved one has suffered Xarelto side effects, or if a loved one has died after taking the drug, contact Attorney Group for Alabama today to determine if you are eligible for a product liability or wrongful death lawsuit.
