A California resident has filed an Eliquis internal bleeding lawsuit accusing the drug makers of failing to warn in the event of uncontrollable bleeding there is no antidote.

Plaintiff Charlie U. was prescribed Eliquis due to a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (irregular heart beat).  On July 16, 2014 Charlie suffered severe physical, economic and emotional injuries as an alleged result of Eliquis internal bleeding.

Among these specific personal injury allegations are life-threatening bleeding, mental anguish, diminished enjoyment of life, and shortened life expectancy.

According to the Eliquis internal bleeding lawsuit, in written information about the safety and risks of Eliquis, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer negligently and fraudulently represented to Charlie, the medical and healthcare community, the FDA, and the public in general, that Eliquis had been tested and was found to be a safe and effective blood thinner.

Charlie’s lawsuit alleges that the makers of Eliquis did not adequately conduct complete and proper testing and studies of Eliquis with regard to severe side effects, specifically life-threatening Eliquis internal bleeding.

“Upon information and belief, Defendants concealed and failed to completely disclose its knowledge that Eliquis was associated with or could cause life-threatening bleeding as well as its knowledge that they failed to full test or study said risk,” the lawsuit reads.

Charlie, along with his wife, are seeking a judgment against Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer for its alleged reckless action in marketing and promoting Eliquis despite knowledge of the increased risk of Eliquis internal bleeding.

What is Eliquis?

Eliquis, also known as apixaban, is the most recent prescription oral anticoagulant or blood thinner to enter the market. Eliquis, and similar blood thinners keep the platelets in a person’s blood from clotting. It inhibits Factor Xa, one of the basic factors in bleeding and clotting.

Eliquis is marketed as an alternative to warfarin (Coumadin), a long-established safe treatment for preventing stroke and systemic embolism. Among the uses for which it was FDA-approved for in late 2012, was in the treatment of prevention of any potential thromboembolic events, including atrial fibrillation.

Additionally, Eliquis was marketed as a fit and safe treatment for reducing the risk of recurrence of DVT and pulmonary embolism for patients undergoing hip and knee replacement surgery.

The makers and Eliquis touted the supposed benefit of treatment with Eliquis over warfarin, in that Eliquis does not require periodic monitoring with blood test and does not limit a patient’s diet, and that a set dose fits all patients.

Eliquis Internal Bleeding Concerns

Critically, there is no antidote to Eliquis, unlike warfarin. Therefore, in the event of Eliquis internal bleeding complications, there is no effective agent to reverse the anticoagulation effects of Eliquis and no means to stabilize Eliquis patients who experience uncontrolled bleeding.

However, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer do not state in these advertisements that there is no FDA-approved antidote for Eliquis as regards its blood-thinner effect at this time.

If you have experienced Eliquis internal bleeding and have been hospitalized, or if Eliquis internal bleeding caused a family member to die, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses, including medical expenses, pain, emotional anguish, and disability.

A personal injury attorney who represents individuals injured by Eliquis internal bleeding can evaluate your case and help you decide whether to pursue a claim.

The Eliquis Internal Bleeding Lawsuit is Case No. 1:16-cv-05668 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.