Bayer HealthCare and Johnson & Johnson are facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL), with one of the most recent additions from an Ohio man alleging he suffered a Xarelto lower gastrointestinal bleed.

Plaintiff Robert B. alleges that a serious Xarelto lower gastrointestinal bleed occurred soon after starting his prescription on May 8, 2015. According to his Xarelto lower gastrointestinal bleed lawsuit, Robert’s physician prescribed the medication to treat his atrial fibrillation.

In addition, Xarelto was also supposed to prevent blood clot attack episodes and ultimately prolong Robert’s life. However, soon after his treatment with Xarelto began, Robert reportedly suffered a Xarelto lower gastrointestinal bleed injury in June 2015.

While Robert managed to get emergency medical assistance, this injury was potentially fatal, as Xarelto does not have a widely available reversal agent. Robert reportedly required a blood transfusion for his injuries because the internal bleeding was so severe.

At all times relevant, Robert says he followed all prescription instructions and physician advice when taking Xarelto. In addition, Robert had not used the medication outside of its intended use, and did not have any particular reason to be wary of the possibility of Xarelto lower gastrointestinal bleed.

Overview of Xarelto Gastrointestinal Bleed Risk

Xarelto was approved by the FDA in 2011. It’s the second in a line of new anticoagulant medications released in the past few years. One year earlier, Pradaxa had been released and was the first blood thinner to enter the market since warfarin became available in the 1950s.

Xarelto and other new generation anticoagulants were meant to give patients additional options, and had quickly gained popularity for their convenience. Unlike warfarin, Xarelto and other new anticoagulants can be prescribed in a single daily dose and do not need frequent dose adjustments.

While warfarin does require patients to undergo regular doctor appointments, it does have a widely available bleeding antidote. Xarelto and other anticoagulants work by inhibiting the body’s clotting mechanism.

However, this anticoagulant effect also prevents the body from recovering from internal bleeding injuries, including Xarelto gastrointestinal bleed occurrences. Even though these are potentially fatal complications, Bayer and Johnson & Johnson allegedly failed to warn patients against this possibility.

Robert and other patients have filed legal action against the companies claiming failure to warn, negligence, and other allegations. This MDL No. 2592 consists of numerous Xarelto bleeding lawsuits alleging similar claims, which have been consolidated into a single litigation.

This Xarelto Gastrointestinal Bleed Lawsuit is Case No. 2:17-cv-05179-EEF-MBN in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.