Johnson & Johnson and Bayer HealthCare are facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL), consisting of claims filed by patients who were prescribed Xarelto for atrial fibrillation treatment.

One of the most recent claims was filed by a man from California, who alleged he was prescribed Xarelto for atrial fibrillation but suffered potentially fatal bleeding complications soon after.

Plaintiff Thomas K. says he was prescribed Xarelto for atrial fibrillation in September 2012 and initially experienced no serious complications.

Xarelto is a new generation anticoagulant, which works by inhibiting the body’s clotting mechanism to increase circulation efficiency.

While this prevents the formation of blood clots, this consequently inhibits the body’s recovery mechanism for internal bleeding. This can cause minor internal bleeding cuts to become potentially fatal, which was reportedly the case for Thomas.

According to the Xarelto lawsuit, Thomas had suffered an internal bleed injury on Dec. 19, 2013, and was hospitalized while receiving treatment. After his injuries were diagnosed, his doctors discontinued his Xarelto for atrial fibrillation prescription and concluded that the anticoagulant was linked to the internal bleeding event.

Thomas opted to file legal action against Bayer and Johnson & Johnson after discovering other patients had suffered similar internal bleeding incidents soon after being prescribed Xarelto for atrial fibrillation.

Overview of Xarelto Bleeding Complications

When Xarelto was approved by the FDA, it was released just one year after Pradaxa, which was the first drug to be approved for anticoagulant treatment since warfarin in the 1960s.

When Pradaxa was released, it was considered a breakthrough in the medical community and spurred other pharmaceutical companies to try their hand in the anticoagulant market.

However, there have been numerous patients who have allegedly suffered initial bleeding injuries soon after being prescribed Xarelto for atrial fibrillation. Until recently, Xarelto did not have an approved and easily available reversal agent in case of internal bleeding incidents.

For seven years, Xarelto was on the market without an approved bleeding antidote while patients were allegedly unaware of this risk. While Andexxa was approved as an antidote recently in 2018, it does not help the numerous patients that have already suffered Xarelto bleeding complications.

At all times relevant, Thomas claims he and his physician relied on the marketing materials and product information provided by the companies, which made no mention of potentially fatal internal bleeding injuries.

Thomas says he also followed all prescription instructions and doctor’s advice while taking Xarelto for atrial fibrillation and had no reason to be wary of any signs of internal bleeding.

Thomas states he would not have agreed to take Xarelto for atrial fibrillation if he had known the risks of internal bleeding. Thomas’ Xarelto lawsuit is joining MDL No. 2592, where it will stand alongside other claims from patients who suffered injuries soon after being prescribed Xarelto for atrial fibrillation.

By joining an MDL, James’ claim will be streamlined through the litigation process and will avoid potential problems like conflicting rulings from different judges.

This Xarelto Lawsuit is Case No. 2:18-cv-06760-EEF-MBN, in the U.S. District Court of Eastern Louisiana.