Pfizer and Bristol-Myers Squibb are facing a new Eliquis internal bleeding lawsuit, after a woman suffered serious bleeding injuries from the medication.

This Eliquis internal bleeding lawsuit alleges the pharmaceutical giants knew the risks associated with Eliquis, but failed to notify the patient or her physicians.

Tennessee plaintiff Shelia F. was prescribed Eliquis to prevent stroke and embolism, and took the drug according to her physician’s advice and medication’s warning label.

Eliquis and other blood thinners are often prescribed to patients who are suffering from atrial fibrillation or are at high risk for stroke and other blood clot attacks.

Even though Shelia used the drug for its intended purpose and followed all prescription instructions, she still suffered internal bleeding injuries.

The complications listed in the Eliquis internal bleeding lawsuit include hematuria, kidney bleeding and severe pain and suffering. Sheila required hospitalization to treat these injuries, and has since incurred various medical bills due to her injuries.

Overview of Eliquis Internal Bleeding Complications

Eliquis was approved by the FDA in 2012 to be a treatment option for patients who were at risk for blood clot attacks. It was released as a joint effort between pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Bristol-Myers Squibb, and has since garnered millions for both companies.

Eliquis is the most recent addition to the line of new generation anticoagulants, which were meant to compete against each other and the original anticoagulant, warfarin.

Eliquis and other new generation anticoagulants were advertised to be overtly superior to warfarin in both performance and convenience.

In contrast to warfarin, Eliquis and other new generation anticoagulants are prescribed in a single dose and do not require frequent doctor visits for dose adjustments.

Even though warfarin had this requirement, the original anticoagulant is also the only blood thinner with a widely available bleeding antidote.

Like other anticoagulants, Eliquis works by inhibiting the body’s clotting ability to maximize circulation. Even though this prevents blood clots from forming, Eliquis also prevents the body from recovering from normally minor internal bleeding injuries.

Since the body cannot clot the internal bleeding injuries, the patient can potentially die from these injuries and often needs emergency intervention to stop the clotting.

According to the Eliquis internal bleeding lawsuit, the manufacturing companies allegedly knew the risks of their product but failed to warn customers.

Shelia is filing this Eliquis internal bleeding lawsuit against the companies for failing to warn her against the drug’s bleeding complications. Shelia states she never would have used Eliquis if she had known the risks and is seeking damages for multiple counts of negligence.

The Eliquis Internal Bleeding Lawsuit is Case No. 3:16-cv-482, in the U.S. District Court of Eastern Tennessee, Northern Division.