Xarelto bleeding injuries and failure to prevent a stroke or pulmonary embolism topped the list of adverse events submitted to the FDA last year, according to the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP).

More than 1,100 patients died as a result.

Xarelto is one of the “new” anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners. Generically known as rivroxaban, Xarelto has been heavily promoted by celebrities such as SNL alum Kevin Nealon, NASCAR driver Brian Vickers, NBA all-star Chris Bosh and pro golfer Arnold Palmer, all of whom appear prominently at the top of Xarelto’s home page.

Big name celebrity endorsements can distract consumers from the real issue – their own health. Such endorsements do nothing to prove a drug’s safety, and the reports on Xarelto bleeding injuries are cause for concern.

Xarelto belongs to a new class of anticoagulants that promote uniform doses in everyone, even though some patients tolerate it better than others. Internal bleeding is a possible Xarelto side effect, and can range from minor bleeding to bleeding resulting in death.

According to the ISMP, “The anticoagulant rivaroxaban (XARELTO) accounted for 10,674 reports of fatal, disabling, and serious injury in the U.S., more than any other of the 1,395 identifiable drugs we regularly monitor in this category.”

In its analysis of the FDA adverse events reports, ISMP said 80.9 percent (8,643) involved Xarelto bleeding injuires, and 10.9 percent (1,611) were because of an embolic-thrombotic or blood clot event.

A total of 1,121 reported deaths were attributed to Xarelto.

Why Take Xarelto?

Xarelto is used to reduce the risk of stroke and blood clots in people with atrial fibrillation that is not caused by a heart valve issue.  It is also prescribed to treat deep vein thrombosis, which can lead to blood clots in the lungs, known as pulmonary embolisms.

Sometimes, Xarelto is used to reduce the formation of a blood clot in the legs and lungs of people who have recently undergone knee or hip replacement surgery.

Before Xarelto came on the market, doctors most often prescribed Coumadin, generically known as warfarin.

When on warfarin, a patient needs to take INR (international normalized ration) blood tests to determine how fast the blood clots. This test helps maintain the right dosage.

In the event a person needs to have warfarin’s anticoagulant properties cease due to accident or injury, a number of options for reversal are available, including vitamin K.

Xarelto’s biggest selling point is that it does not need such INR testing, or any testing, in order to ensure a therapeutic level is maintained.

However, patients tolerate Xarelto differently, which means some patients are more prone to Xarelto bleeding injuries.

Most disturbingly, there is no antidote for Xarelto. If a person is bleeding uncontrollably from Xarelto, there is nothing any doctor can do to stop it.

Warning Signs of Xarelto Bleeding Injuries

The FDA warns that medical help should be sought immediately at any of these signs of bleeding:

• unexpected bleeding or bleeding that lasts a long time, such as:
  • nose bleeds that happen often
  • unusual bleeding from the gums
  • menstrual bleeding that is heavier than normal or vaginal bleeding

Uncontrolled high blood pressure or an ulcer can make a person more susceptible to Xarelto bleeding injuries.

Xarelto Lawsuits

Hundreds of people have filed lawsuits against Xarelto for Xarelto bleeding injuries and deaths that possibly could have been prevented.

If you or someone you love has taken Xarelto and experienced poor wound healing, internal bleeding, spinal blood clots or other side effects, you could benefit from a class action lawsuit.