A new Xarelto lawsuit was filed in federal court, alleging that the drug company Janssen Research and Development manufactured a defective and dangerous drug that caused the patient to suffer adverse side effects. This Xarelto lawsuit is a part of the multidistrict litigation (MDL) against the drug manufacturer.

Plaintiff  Carolyn H. of Alabama brought the Xarelto lawsuit. Carolyn began taking Xarelto in April of 2013 after her treating physician prescribed it. The Xarelto lawsuit alleges that in May of 2013, Carolyn suffered hematuria, or blood in the urine, as a result of taking Xarelto. The lawsuit further alleges that the defendants either negligently or fraudulently hid defects associated with Xarelto from the medical community and general public. Carolyn is seeking compensatory and punitive damages.

According to Carolyn’s Xarelto lawsuit, Janssen Research and Development made representations to induce medical professionals to prescribe the medication to patients and induce the general public to request the particular brand, while neglecting to fully inform the public of the medication’s dangerous side effects.

What is Xarelto?

Xarelto, generically known as rivaroxaban, is a popular anticoagulant used to treat patients who are at risk for forming blood clots. Xarelto is specifically used to treat clots known as deep vein thrombosis, which can lead to pulmonary embolism (clots in the lungs). Xarelto is also U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved to treat patients with atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disorder. In these cases the medication is prescribed to lower the risk of stroke caused by blood clots. Sometimes medical professionals also prescribe Xarelto to patients for off-label, or non FDA-approved, uses. It is not illegal for doctors to prescribe a medication for an off-label use, but it is illegal for drug manufacturers to promote medication for non FDA approved uses.

Dangerous Side Effects Associated With Xarelto

Anticoagulant drugs like Xarelto are some of the most dangerous drugs on the market according to the FDA. A study published in April of 2011 found that Xarelto patients are twice as likely to experience uncontrolled bleeding compared to patients taking other types of anticoagulants.

Manufacturers of Xarelto promote the medication as superior to some of the more established anticoagulants on the market. Xarelto, unlike the anticoagulant Warfarin, does not require patients to follow strict dietary regulations and blood monitoring. Unfortunately, unlike Warfarin, Xarelto has no known antidote to stop uncontrolled bleeding in patients. When patients taking Warfarin begin to experience uncontrolled bleeding, medical professionals can administer a dose of vitamin K mixed with plasma as an antidote. No similar antidote exists for Xarelto.

Xarelto Lawsuits

Product liability attorneys are currently looking for potential plaintiffs to bring Xarelto lawsuits. Settlements and awards from these lawsuits will help plaintiffs pay both past and future medical bills as well as compensate victims for the pain and suffering they experienced allegedly due to taking the medication.

The Xarelto Lawsuit is Case No. 2:15-cv-01502-EEF-MBN, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.