Eliquis is the newest addition in the recent series of new generation anticoagulants, meant to compete directly with America’s original blood thinner warfarin.

Approved in the early 1960s, patients only had the option of being prescribed warfarin or face the increased risk for stroke.

It was not until 2010 that a new anticoagulant, Pradaxa, was introduced to the United States since the approval of the older drug. Not long after Pradaxa was approved it had overtaken warfarin in popularity, but had started facing competition of its own.

Xarelto and Eliquis were released in 2011 and 2012 respectively, by American pharmaceutical companies that wanted to try their own hand in the lucrative blood thinner market. Eliquis was released as joint venture between Pfizer Inc. and Bristol-Myers Squibb and has since experienced market success.

Like the other anticoagulants, Eliquis is prescribed to patients suffering from atrial fibrillation and are at high risk for stroke. By inhibiting thrombosis, or clotting ability of the body, Eliquis allows for easier circulation of the blood throughout the body.

However, Eliquis side effects include the same problems as the other new generation anticoagulants due to the treatment mechanism inhibits the body from clotting external or internal bleeding.

Eliquis patients recently complaining of internal bleeding events and the fact that emergency intervention is often required to treat them.

Even though Eliquis was approved only a year after Xarelto, the FDA was initially hesitant to approve the drug due to the numerous internal bleeding allegations Xarelto and Pradaxa were facing.

In addition Pfizer and Bristol-Myers had touted Eliquis to be the safest blood thinner available on the market, but clinical trials that showed the drug’s safety were allegedly flawed causing some to doubt the legitimacy of the claims.

The critiques stem from the ARISTOTLE (Apixaban for Reduction in Stroke and Other Thromabtic Events in Atrial Fibrillation) trial series, in which the goal was to prove Eliquis was the superior anticoagulant.

Overview of Eliquis Bleeding Problems

A number of problems were found in the trials, with the most prominent surrounding one particular clinical trial. At one of the testing sites in China, a senior clinical manager had reportedly altered records to conceal violations on proper clinical practice guidance.

Even though Bristol-Myers fired the manager and several other employees involved, the FDA became very concerned over the concerns of Eliquis side effects that occurred.

Despite the concerns surrounding the ARISTOTLE study, FDA officials concluded that the results from other Eliquis studies suggested that the drug was a safe and effective drug.

However this proved to not be the case as the adverse Eliquis side effects carried the same problems as Pradaxa and Xarelto.

Eliquis currently lacks a bleeding antidote. In contrast, warfarin patients implement vitamin K to stop internal bleeding events. No such remedy is available for Eliquis patients.

Due to the similar nature of the Eliquis bleeding incident reports, legal experts are predicting that a number of lawsuits will be filed against Pfizer and Bristol-Myers. Potential claimants are encouraged to consult a specialized lawyer to determine if they have an Eliquis lawsuit.