Millions of Americans suffer from a heart condition known as atrial fibrillation which is known to cause blood clots and strokes in patients.

One of the newest medications used to treat the abnormal heart condition is Pradaxa which is a blood thinner that has already been prescribed to 9 million patients in just a few short years of being on the market.

However, the popular anticoagulant may carry some life threatening Pradaxa side effects. If you have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation it’s important to be informed about the risks and benefits taking a blood thinner.

Blood Thinner Use

Once a patient has been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, doctors will factor in variables to determine if the patient requires a blood thinner to treat the condition. Physicians take into account whether or not the patient has diabetes, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, past strokes, as well as the patient’s age and gender.

The doctor will then use all of those factors to determine if the patient is likely to develop internal bleeding complications that could occur if taking an anticoagulant such as Pradaxa or warfarin.  

Pradaxa vs. Warfarin (Coumadin)

For more than 50 years, warfarin (Coumadin) was the anticoagulant leader for atrial fibrillation treatment. However, using warfarin requires patients to have monthly blood tests and dietary restrictions.

When Pradaxa was released in 2010 it was marketed as a more convenient blood thinner as it does not require regular blood testing or have any dietary restrictions. Yet unlike warfarin, Pradaxa also has no known antidote should internal bleeding occur.

If a patient taking warfarin should suffer from excessive bleeding, they can be given a dose of Vitamin K to get the bleeding under control.

Pradaxa patients who experience internal bleeding will have to undergo multiple blood transfusions as the only way to stop Pradaxa internal bleeding is to get the medication out of the system.

Pradaxa Bleeding Risk

More than 1,000 near-fatal internal bleeding events have been reported to the FDA claiming Pradaxa was the cause. Within its first year on the market, Pradaxa was also named in 260 deaths reported to the federal agency.

Pradaxa internal bleeding symptoms include:

• Black or bloody stools
• Easy or unusual bruising
• Coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• Headache, dizziness, or weakness
• Numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness (especially in the legs and feet)
• Red, pink or brown urine
• Heavy menstrual periods

Other serious Pradaxa side effects include intestinal bleeding, bleeding on the brain, kidney bleeding, heart attacks and strokes.

Pradaxa Lawsuits

Thousands of patients who took Pradaxa to treat atrial fibrillation and other conditions have filed Pradaxa lawsuits against the drug’s manufacturer Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals.

In general, plaintiffs claim the company downplayed the serious Pradaxa bleeding risks linked with taking the blood thinner. Most Pradaxa lawsuits also allege plaintiffs were unaware that there is no known Pradaxa antidote should excessive bleeding occur.

Individuals who choose to join a Pradaxa class action lawsuit may be able to be financially compensated for high medical costs as well as pain and suffering involved with internal bleeding. A recent Pradaxa lawsuit settlement awarded $160,000 to each of the 4,000 plaintiffs.