The new generation anticoagulant Pradaxa is widely prescribed to prevent blood clots and stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation or who have undergone surgery.

However, numerous reports of serious Pradaxa bleeding risks and complications have been associated with Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmacuetical’s popular blood thinning medication.

Pradaxa was touted as a safer alternative to the veteran blood thinner medication warfarin as it was supposed to minimize the risk of suffering from a stroke and other serious problems and allowing patients more freedom from frequent blood monitoring and dietary restrictions.

Pradaxa Bleeding Risks and Complications

One of the major issues in regards to Pradaxa side effects is that if an internal bleed is discovered, there is no known Pradaxa antidote. If a patient on warfarin experiences a bleeding event, the effects can be quickly remedied with a dose of Vitamin K.

However, if a patient on Pradaxa has an internal bleeding event, there’s nothing anyone can do but wait for their kidneys to process the blood thinner and excrete it in the urine — a process that takes hours at best, potentially longer if the anticoagulant has slowed kidney function, as many expect it can.

Additionally if the bleed is severe, the lack of a reversal agent for Pradaxa complications make internal bleeding events potentially deadly.

Pradaxa Bleeding: Who’s At Risk?

People at the highest risk for uncontrollable Pradaxa bleeding include elderly patients, those with kidney problems, have experienced gastrointestinal bleeding or an ulcer, or who are taking other drugs that increase the risk of bleeding, including aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and other blood thinners.

Pradaxa users should call their doctors immediately if they notice any of the following symptoms:

• Coughing up or vomiting blood
• Frequent nose bleeds
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Pink or brown urine
• Red or black stools

Pradaxa Bleeding Lawsuits

In 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received more reports of death and bleeding from Pradaxa than all other prescription drugs, according to an analysis conducted by the Institute for Safe Medicine Practices.

Pradaxa internal bleeding lawsuits continue to allege that Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals did not adequately warn patients of the alleged risk of severe internal bleeding linked to the drug, according to court documents.

If you or someone you love has suffered from adverse and life-threatening Pradaxa complications such as internal bleeding, you may be entitled to work with Pradaxa lawyers and file a Pradaxa lawsuit to recover damages for your suffering.

In general, Pradaxa lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.