One of the biggest problems with Xarelto bleeding is that there was no antidote that could stop the bleeding. Hundreds of Xarelto lawsuits have been filed against Bayer and Johnson & Johnson for causing severe gastrointestinal bleeding or pulmonary bleeding. However, Portola Pharmaceuticals may have found an antidote for Xarelto bleeding.

The drug that could counter this Xarelto side effect is called andexanet alfa. Portola said about the drug during trial stages that “the study met its primary endpoint with high statistical significance … and was well tolerated.” This means that the Xarelto antidote worked well in a noticeably large number of people within the study.

Xarelto Bleeding

Xarelto is an anticoagulant (which prevents blood clots). It was originally approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2001 as an alternative to warfarin. Warfarin was previously the most popular anticoagulant, but extra monitoring was required for all patients who used the drug. Xarelto was promoted as a drug that had less risk. However, warfarin has an antidote should gastrointestinal bleeding or pulmonary bleeding occur. Xarelto has none.

Xarelto is part of a new generation of anticoagulants called Factor Xz inhibitors. Pradaxa, Eliquis, and Savaysa are other drugs in this category. Xarelto was being sold one year after Pradaxa was introduced to the market. Pradaxa was the first generation of anticoagulants of this class that was alleged to be safer than warfarin. More individuals ultimately used Xarelto over Pradaxa.

Countless Xarelto lawsuits have been filed against Bayer and J&J for cases of alleged Xarelto bleeding. Xarelto lawsuits have stated that the defendants should have created an antidote before releasing the drug and should have provided adequate warnings of the Xarelto side effects.

Some Xarelto lawsuits have stated that the drug should be recalled until an antidote is approved that will stop Xarelto bleeds and that the risk of taking the drug is not worth the risk of pulmonary bleeding or gastrointestinal bleeding.

The potential antidote from Portola was put on a “fast track” by the FDA. This means Xarelto may be the first anticoagulant of its class to have an antidote which may dramatically increase Xarelto use.

Pradaxa and Eliquis have also been associated with gastrointestinal bleeding and pulmonary bleeding side effects. Antidotes are in process for these drugs as well.

Xarelto bleeding has caused hundreds of individuals pain and suffering, in addition to expensive medical bills. Xarelto lawsuits seek to win compensation for individuals who have experienced adverse Xarelto side effects. Xarelto wrongful death lawsuits have also been filed by families who lost a loved one to Xarelto bleeding.

If the Portola antidote is approved, the number of Xarelto lawsuits may decrease as the lack of reversal agent is one of the primary claims made in the complaints.

A Xarelto bleeding class action lawsuit investigation is underway.