The anticoagulant Eliquis, commonly prescribed to individuals after knee replacement surgery, is under scrutiny as new reports indicate the drug may cause serious internal bleeding. More than 700,000 knee replacement surgeries occur in the United States each year, with patients usually prescribed a blood thinner like Eliquis to reduce the occurrence of blood clots after surgery. Numerous Eliquis lawsuits allege the drug manufacturer failed to warn the medical community and patients of the life-threatening internal bleeding risks that could develop as a side effect of this medication. 

Eliquis Overview

Pfizer and Bristol-Meyers Squibb introduced Eliquis to the U.S. market in 2012 as a way to prevent strokes in patients with the common heart disorder atrial fibrillation. In 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of Eliquis for patients after hip or knee replacement surgery. Taking the anticoagulant after knee replacement surgery is supposed to reduce the patient’s chances of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), an extremely dangerous condition where blood clots travel to the lung and can lead to sudden death.

Eliquis was designed and marketed by Pfizer and Bristol-Meyers Squibb as a safer, more convenient blood thinner. Marketers claim the new anticoagulant doesn’t require patients to follow dietary restrictions or suffer through routine blood testing. The anticoagulant medication also claims that it has been “proven better than warfarin (coumadin)” in reducing the possibility of stroke. However, numerous lawsuits being filed across the country by Eliquis patients claim the internal bleeding side effect is not worth the risk.

Eliquis Internal Bleeding

While claims of greater convenience may make the product more appealing to patients, studies show that other anticoagulants could be a wiser health choice. Research findings show that warfarin (coumadin) patients who experience uncontrollable internal bleeding can be given a dose of vitamin K to get it under control. Eliquis patients who suffer from internal bleeding are left with no way to stop it as there is no known antidote.

Eliquis common side effects generally involve bleeding risks, including intestinal bleeding, kidney bleeding and bleeding on the brain.

Some of the symptoms of internal bleeding are:

• Red, pink or brown urine
• Coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• Easy or unusual bruising
• Heavy menstrual periods
• Black or bloody stools
• Headache, dizziness, or weakness
• Numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness (especially in the legs and feet)

Physicians urge any patient with internal bleeding symptoms to seek medical help immediately.

Eliquis Lawsuits

Eliquis joins Pradaxa and Xarelto as one of the newest blood thinners on the market, yet the drug manufacturers already face numerous internal bleeding lawsuits. Plaintiffs claim the company was negligent in their bleeding warnings by downplaying the actual risks involved with taking the medication.

Consumers who were prescribed Eliquis after knee surgery and later experienced some of the serious medication side effects are choosing to join Eliquis lawsuits across the nation. Plaintiffs are asking for financial compensation for the pain and suffering caused by taking Eliquis, as well as funds to recover from the high medical bills associated with internal bleeding.