Pradaxa patients may be entitled to file an Iowa Pradaxa lawsuit if they took the medication and subsequently suffered from a stroke, heart attack, internal bleeding, or a pulmonary embolism. If you believe you have an Iowa Pradaxa lawsuit, contact Attorney Group for Iowa today to learn more about your options. There is no cost to receive a comprehensive case evaluation to help you determine if may be entitled to recover damages for your injuries.
What is Pradaxa?
Pradaxa was first introduced in the U.S. in 2010 as a medication that would help to reduce a patient’s risk of suffering from a stroke if he or she was living with atrial fibrillation. Additionally, patients may be prescribed Pradaxa if they are scheduled to undergo a hip or knee replacement surgery that will increase their risk of developing blood clots. According to Pradaxa’s manufacturer, the medication works as a blood thinner that is intended to reduce the risk of blood clots and, subsequently, heart attacks, stroke, and death.
However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began to receive reports that Pradaxa patients were suffering from internal bleeding. While Pradaxa is comparable to another well-known blood thinner, warfarin, patients claim that Pradaxa is more dangerous because there is not yet a widely available antidote that can reverse the anticlotting effects of the medication. Conversely, internal bleeding due to warfarin can be stopped with a vitamin K injection. According to the Institute for Safe Medication Practice, patients who are taking Pradaxa may be at a fivefold risk of dying from internal or heavy bleeding than those who experience similar side effects while taking warfarin.
Risks and Side Effects
Pradaxa may cause mild, common side effects such as GERD, vomiting, nausea, heartburn, abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal ulcers. However, you may wish to consider filing an Iowa Pradaxa lawsuit if you suffered from internal bleeding, characterized by one or more of the following symptoms:
- Unusual or easy bruising
- Persistent, frequent nosebleeds
- Prolonged or heavy bleeding
- Prolonged or heavy menstrual flow
- Dark or pink urine
- Unusual or persistent weakness or fatigue
- Dizziness, fainting, headaches
- Bloody or coffee ground-colored vomit
- Coughing up blood
Boehringer Facing Pradaxa Lawsuits
A federal Pradaxa litigation has been established in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. The first of the litigation’s bellwether trials are scheduled to begin in August, September, and November of 2014. The final two will begin in January and February 2015. However, Boehringer has announced that it will pay $650 million to 4,000 plaintiffs to resolve claims that its product caused internal bleeding.
According to media reports, Pradaxa has been blamed for 12,494 serious injuries and 1,158 deaths in the U.S. since its approval in 2010. According to reports filed with the FDA, more complaints involved Pradaxa than any other medication in 2011 and 2012. Although there are Pradaxa settlements, patients may still consider filing an Iowa Pradaxa lawsuit if they believe that they suffered from serious complications due to their use of the medication.
Contact Attorney Group for Iowa for More Information
If you believe you are eligible to file an Iowa Pradaxa lawsuit, Attorney Group for Iowa can review your case, free of charge, and help you determine if you are eligible to file an Iowa Pradaxa lawsuit. We can answer your questions and put you in touch with an affiliated attorney who can file your Iowa Pradaxa lawsuit and help you to seek the compensation to which you may be entitled. Call today.
