Xarelto and Pradaxa are two commonly prescribed blood-thinning medications. However, they have found themselves at the center of legal battles known as the Xarelto and Pradaxa lawsuit. The lawsuits revolve around concerns raised by patients who experienced severe bleeding incidents while taking these medications.
Furthermore, the lawsuits allege that the companies producing these drugs failed to warn about potential risks adequately. Let’s dive deeper into the complexities surrounding these lawsuits and understand their impact on patients and the pharmaceutical industry in this post!
What Is Xarelto and Pradaxa?
The Food and Drug Administration or FDA approved Xarelto in 2011. Since then, it’s popular as an alternative to traditional blood thinners like warfarin due to its convenience. However, allegations arose that Xarelto was linked to severe bleeding incidents with no antidote available that led to significant complications.
Meanwhile, Pradaxa entered the market in 2010 as another promising anticoagulant. Similarly to Xarelto, it offered convenience without the need for regular blood monitoring. However, reports surfaced about Pradaxa’s association with severe bleeding incidents, prompting concern and legal action.
Xarelto and Pradaxa Are Linked to Bleeding
Xarelto (rivaroxaban) and Pradaxa (dabigatran) are both medications known as anticoagulants or blood thinners. They are prescribed to prevent blood clots which reduces the risk of stroke in individuals with conditions like atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat) or after certain surgeries.
These medications work by interfering with the clotting process in the blood, thereby lowering the chance of clot formation. However, they have faced allegations known as the Xarelto and Pradaxa lawsuit due to reported incidents of severe bleeding among some users. The most severe issues encompass ten conditions such as:
- gastrointestinal bleeding,
- stroke,
- heart attack,
- hernia recurrence,
- internal bleeding,
- brain hemorrhage, and also
- scar-like tissue formation.
These medications may lead to serious problems including rectal bleeding, pulmonary embolism, epidural issues, and hematoma. These newer medicines can also cause bleeding in about 15% of people with atrial fibrillation.
Doctors are cautious about these new drugs because there’s not enough information on how to manage bleeding. As a result, both have been linked to more severe bleeding incidents.
Additionally, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, from 2010 onwards, Xarelto and Pradaxa have been connected to at least 8,000 deaths. In addition, over 58,000 individuals have reported experiencing severe side effects.
Xarelto and Pradaxa Lawsuit
First, lawsuits were brought against Xarelto due to severe bleeding incidents, some resulting in deaths. The people who filed these lawsuits claimed that Bayer AG and Janssen Pharmaceuticals were part of Johnson & Johnson.
They thought the company knew about the dangers but didn’t tell patients or doctors enough. Besides, they also said that because there wasn’t a way to reverse Xarelto’s effects since the bleeding problems became much worse.
Similarly, Pradaxa’s manufacturer, Boehringer Ingelheim, also faces legal problems linked to severe bleeding and hemorrhaging. They were accused of knowing about the risks but not giving proper advice about potential complications. They also didn’t say there was a way to reverse Pradaxa’s effects.
Legal Resolutions and Impact
As reported by FiercePharma, legal cases for Xarelto and Pradaxa lawsuits resulted in agreements to compensate people who experienced problems while taking these medications. In 2014, Boehringer Ingelheim, the company behind Pradaxa, settled many lawsuits by paying $650 million to affected individuals.
In 2019, Bayer AG and Janssen Pharmaceuticals reached an agreement to settle 25,000 lawsuits related to Xarelto by paying $775 million to resolve these legal claims. These settlements aimed to provide financial compensation to people who suffered due to severe side effects associated with these blood-thinning medicines.
Patient Awareness and Future Implications
The Xarelto and Pradaxa lawsuit raised concerns about the pharmaceutical industry’s transparency and the necessity for comprehensive patient education regarding potential side effects and proper management.
Moreover, these cases also highlighted the importance of disclosing risks associated with new medications. It aims to ensure patients are well-informed about potential complications and provide adequate medical guidance.
6 Steps to Do If You’re Harmed Because of Xarelto and Pradaxa
If you experience harm or severe side effects due to Xarelto or Pradaxa, here are the six steps you can take.
1. Seeking Medical Attention
First, you need to know that your health is a top priority. If you experience any adverse effects, seek immediate medical help. Inform your healthcare provider about the medications you’re taking and the symptoms you’re experiencing.
2. Document Everything
Second, keep detailed records of your medical treatment, prescriptions, symptoms, and any related expenses. Documentation is a crucial part of building your case if you decide to pursue legal action.
3. Consult with a Lawyer
Consider consulting a lawyer who specializes in pharmaceutical litigation. They can evaluate your situation, advise you on your legal rights, and guide you through the process of seeking compensation.
4. Report Adverse Reactions
Don’t forget to report any adverse reactions or side effects of both medicines to the FDA or relevant health authorities. Your report can help in monitoring the safety of these medications to prevent harm to others and support the ongoing Xarelto and Pradaxa lawsuit.
5. Join Support Groups
Next, consider joining support groups or communities of individuals who have experienced similar issues with these medications. Sharing experiences and information can provide emotional support and valuable insights.
6. Follow Legal Guidance
If you decide to pursue legal action, it is important to follow the advice and guidance provided by your attorney. They will help you understand the legal process, gather necessary evidence, and represent your interests in court or settlement negotiations.
What Are Your Thoughts on the Xarelto and Pradaxa Lawsuit?
In summary, the Xarelto and Pradaxa lawsuit has highlighted how important it is for doctors and patients to know all the risks of these medicines. Although these drugs were useful, the lawsuits showed that it’s important to share information about possible problems and have good ways to watch out for them.
They remind the drug companies that they must put patient safety first by giving clear details about the risks and how to manage them. Overall, these legal fights stressed the need for open sharing of information to keep people safe when using these important medications.