An Illinois woman has filed a blood thinner lawsuit against Bayer and Johnson & Johnson, alleging she suffered life-threatening pervasive bleeding from Xarelto.

Prior to September 2014, Plaintiff Shirley G. was prescribed and was taking warfarin as a blood thinner.  In September 2014, Shirley’s doctor switched her blood thinning medication to Xarelto.

Just two months later, Shirley was hospitalized after complaining of abdominal pain and large volume black tarry stool.  She was diagnosed with an acute gastrointestinal bleed.

During her 3-day hospitalization, her Xarelto prescription was discontinued since it was believed that Xarelto was the cause of Shirley’s massive internal hemorrhage.

While she was in the hospital, it was calculated that Shirley lost approximately four pints of blood as a result of alleged pervasive bleeding from Xarelto.

Subsequently, Shirley has to undergo continued treatment and monitoring for this gastrointestinal bleed.

She is filing this Xarelto lawsuit on multiple counts, including negligent misrepresentation, strict product liability, and breach of express and implied warranties.

Risk of Pervasive Bleeding from Xarelto

Xarelto (rivaroxaban) is a new anticoagulant blood thinner that was approved by the FDA in 2011 to reduce deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients who had knee or hip replacement surgery.

In November 2011, the federal agency approved the anticoagulant for reducing stroke and blood clot risks in patients with atrial fibrillation (irregular heart rhythms). The FDA expanded its approval of Xarelto in November 2013 to treat deep vein thrombosis.

Xarelto is manufactured by Bayer and marketed by Johnson & Johnson’s subsidiary, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, in the United States.

The most dangerous and severe side effect associated with Xarelto is uncontrolled bleeding, which can lead to death – a risk shared by all blood thinners.

Pervasive bleeding from Xarelto occurs because the prescription blood thinner reduces clotting in those who take the oral medication.

Specifically, Xarelto may cause those who take the blood thinner to bleed more easily and the bleeding may take longer than usual to stop.

Pervasive bleeding from Xarelto can be serious and fatal. Reported symptoms of pervasive bleeding from Xarelto include:

• Unusual bleeding from the gums, nose or mouth
• Bright red or black stools (looks like tar)
• Red, pink or brown urine
• Heavier than normal menstrual bleeding
• Vaginal bleeding
• Vomiting blood or vomit that looks like “coffee grounds”
• Coughing up blood or blood clots
• Prolonged bleeding around a cut or wound

FDA Issues Black Box Warning for Xarelto

According to the FDA, the concern primary concern over the blood thinner is that it has no specific antidote available to effectively treat pervasive bleeding from Xarelto.

In fact, the FDA issued two black box warnings on Xarelto because of the bleeding risks associated with the drug.

The federal agency warns that people with atrial fibrillation, not caused by a heart valve problem, who discontinue Xarelto without replacing it with another blood thinner are at an increased risk of dangerous blood clots.

The second FDA warning claims a spinal anesthesia, such as an epidural or a spinal tap, performed on patients who take Xarelto may result in bleeding (hematomas) around the spine that can lead to long-term or permanent paralysis.

Filing a Xarelto Lawsuit

Numerous lawsuits have been filed against Bayer and Johnson & Johnson from people claiming pervasive bleeding from Xarelto caused them to be hospitalized with life-threatening side effects.

If you have suffered pervasive bleeding from Xarelto or other health issues related to the blood thinner, contact an experienced dangerous drug attorney for a confidential consultation. A Xarelto lawyer can listen to the details of your case and let you know all of your potential legal options.

The Xarelto Bleeding Lawsuit is Case No. 1:16-cv-11428 in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois.