Johnson & Johnson and Bayer HealthCare are facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) over the risk of excessive bleeding associated with Xarelto, a new anticoagulant drug. One of the most recent claims was filed by an Arizona man, alleging unexpected internal bleeding from Xarelto.

Plaintiff Jack C. had been prescribed Xarelto to treat the risk of stroke associated with his atrial fibrillation, which is a typical treatment purpose. However, Jack allegedly suffered internal bleeding from Xarelto and had to undergo emergency treatment.

According to the Xarelto lawsuit, Jack had initially responded well to the treatment and was on the medication between Dec. 14, 2011 to May 9, 2016. However, on May 9, Jack had allegedly suffered an episode of dangerous internal bleeding.

Due to the severe alleged internal bleeding from Xarelto, Jack had to undergo a blood transfusion and hospitalization. Even though Jack survived his ordeal, he still has to remain vigilant for any other potential internal bleeding from Xarelto and has compromised his health condition.

Jack claims that the defendant companies either knew or should have known about the dangerous nature of the drug, but failed to disclose this information.

Overview of Xarelto Internal Bleeding Injuries

Xarelto was approved by the FDA in 2011. It was the second medication to be released for anticoagulant treatment purposes since warfarin in the 1960. Pradaxa had been the first in 2010, paving the way for other new generation anticoagulants to be released into the United States and providing additional choices for patients at risk for blood clot attacks.

This medication is typically prescribed to treat atrial fibrillation and for patients at high risk for stroke, and can also be used in reducing the chances of blood clot complications. Xarelto and other anticoagulants work by inhibiting the body’s clotting mechanism.

However, this effect also prevents the body from recovering from internal bleeding from Xarelto and from other anticoagulants, which can be potentially fatal. Until recently with the release of Praxbind for Pradaxa patients, warfarin was the only anticoagulant with a readily available reversal agent in the case of internal bleeding injuries.

In addition, warfarin patients had to undergo frequent doctor visit for dose adjustments and were subject to heavy medical monitoring by their doctors. Xarelto and other new generation anticoagulants quickly overtook warfarin in popularity, as they could be taken with only a single daily dose.

However, according to the plaintiffs, manufacturing companies allegedly failed to disclose or sufficiently describe the potential risks associated with these drugs, including potential internal bleeding from Xarelto.

Johnson & Johnson and Bayer HealthCare had released Xarelto as a conjoined effort to enter the anticoagulant market, but both are now facing harsh criticism for allegedly failing to disclose potential side effects to the public.

Jack is filing his Xarelto lawsuit in MDL No. 2592, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging internal bleeding from Xarelto. Jack states he would not have used the medication, if he had known about potential internal bleeding from Xarelto.

This Xarelto Lawsuit is Case No. 2:17-cv-08466-EEF-MBN, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.