Melissa LaFreniere  |  July 1, 2015

Category: Legal News

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blood-transfusion-xareltoAs one of the newest blood thinners on the market today, Xarelto has quickly become one of the most prescribed as well. However, a recent study suggests that patients taking the anticoagulant Xarelto have twice the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding when compared to Warfarin (Coumadin) users.

Gastrointestinal bleeding is a painful condition that often requires blood transfusions and lengthy hospital stays. Xarelto users who have filed lawsuits after experiencing Xarelto bleeding often allege that the drug manufacturer knew of the unreasonably dangerous bleeding risks but did not fully warn consumers or the medical community.

A recent study published in the British Medical Journal analyzed more than 45,000 patients to determine if there is a greater internal bleeding risk associated with the new generation blood thinner Xarelto or the more traditional anticoagulant Warfarin.

Researchers discovered that when comparing the two medications, Xarelto carries more than twice the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.

New Generation of Blood Thinners

Xarelto joined Eliquis and Pradaxa in 2011 as one of the “new generation of blood thinners” thought to replace Warfarin, which has dominated the anticoagulant market for more than 50 years.

Xarelto was initially approved for reducing the risk of blood clots and strokes in patients undergoing knee or hip replacement surgeries. Since then, Xarelto has also been approved to treat deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

The new generation blood thinner Xarelto was marketed by Bayer Health Pharmaceuticals, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and Johnson & Johnson as a more convenient medication when compared to Warfarin because Xarelto does not require any dietary restrictions or monthly blood tests. However unlike Warfarin, if a patient experiences Xarelto internal bleeding, there is no known antidote to stop it.

Warfarin (Coumadin) users who have a bleeding incident can be given a dose of vitamin K to control the bleeding. Xarelto users who suffer from internal bleeding have to undergo blood transfusions until the medication is out of their system.

Xarelto Side Effects

With more than 11 million prescriptions filled in the United States so far, Xarelto is considered the top blood thinner in its class. However, thousands of Xarelto consumers have reported to the FDA that the medication caused life-threatening side effects. Of those reports, hundreds claim Xarelto resulted in a hemorrhage-related death.

Some of the Xarelto side effects reported by consumers include:

  • Abdominal bleeding
  • Abnormal liver function
  • Gastrointestinal bleeding
  • Brain hemorrhaging
  • Reduced platelet levels
  • Low blood pressure
  • Bruising
  • Edema
  • Rectal Bleeding
  • Headache
  • Muscle pain
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Dizziness
  • Hemorrhaging in the eyes
  • Nose bleeds

Xarelto Bleeding Lawsuits

Numerous Xarelto bleeding lawsuits have been filed across the nation by plaintiffs who claim that the drug manufacturers intentionally hid the risk of serious side effects from consumers. In addition, Xarelto lawsuits often claim that plaintiffs were not cautioned that should a bleeding event occur, there is no reversal agent to stop it.

Most of the time, filing a Xarelto lawsuit is the only way to obtain financial compensation for physical and emotional damages caused by gastrointestinal bleeding. Contact a Xarelto attorney to find out if you can join a Xarelto class action lawsuit.

Do YOU have a legal claim? Fill out the form on this page now for a free, immediate, and confidential case evaluation. The Xarelto attorneys who work with Top Class Actions will contact you if you qualify to let you know if an individual lawsuit or Xarelto class action lawsuit is best for you. [In general, Xarelto lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.] Hurry — statutes of limitations may apply.

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Get Help – It’s Free

Join a Free Xarelto Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you or a loved one took Xarelto (rivaroxaban) and suffered injuries such as uncontrollable internal bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding, hemorrhaging, deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, you may have a legal claim. See if you qualify by filling out the short form below.

An attorney will contact you if you qualify to discuss the details of your potential case at no charge to you.

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Please note: Top Class Actions is not a settlement administrator or law firm. Top Class Actions is a legal news source that reports on class action lawsuits, class action settlements, drug injury lawsuits and product liability lawsuits. Top Class Actions does not process claims and we cannot advise you on the status of any class action settlement claim. You must contact the settlement administrator or your attorney for any updates regarding your claim status, claim form or questions about when payments are expected to be mailed out.