Calif. Woman Sues Boehringer Over Pradaxa Bleeding

A California woman filed a Pradaxa lawsuit against Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc. for allegedly causing her injuries sustained by taking the company’s blood-thinning medication.

In the Pradaxa lawsuit, plaintiff Elvira F. Aguilar alleges that she “experienced excessive and and/or uncontrollable bleeding” as a direct result of using the medication for the supposed treatment of non-valular atrial fibrillation.

Prior to Aguilar being prescribed Pradaxa, her prescribing “physicians received promotional materials and information from sales representatives of defendants that Pradaxa was more effective than warfarin in reducing strokes in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and was more convenient.” According to the Pradaxa lawsuit, the materials, however, did not adequately inform physicians that there was no reversal agent that could stop or control bleeding in patients taking the drug.

The Pradaxa lawsuit alleges that Boehringer concealed from Aguilar and her physicians the significant risks associated with using the medication.

Pradaxa received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Oct. 19, 2010. It is a direct thrombin inhibitor that is supposed to reduce the risk of stroke and systematic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Prior to its approval, warfarin was the only oral anticoagulant available in the United States for reducing stroke and systematic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation.

The lawsuit alleges that Boehringer’s marketing campaign for Pradaxa included promoting it as being more effective than warfarin in preventing stroke and systematic embolism, providing a convenient alternative to warfarin, and not requiring any dietary restrictions.

The drug company reportedly spent $464 million to promote Pradaxa in the United States by undertaking “detailing sessions” with U.S. primary care physicians, internists, group practitioners, cardiologists and nurses. The Pradaxa lawsuit alleges that Boehringer “overstated the efficacy of Pradaxa with respect to preventing stroke and systematic embolism, and failed to adequately disclose to patients that there is no means to reverse the anticoagulation effects of Pradaxa or that such irreversibility could have permanently disabling, life-threatening, and fatal consequences.”

According to the Pradaxa lawsuit, Aguilar has “has suffered severe personal injures, physical pain and mental anguish, including diminished enjoyment of life, as well as the need for lifelong medical treatment, monitoring and/or medications, and the fear of developing any of the above named health consequences, all resulting from the ingestion of Pradaxa. The Plaintiff has also experienced economic damages resulting from the use of Pradaxa.”

This Pradaxa lawsuit is Elvira F. Aguilar v. Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Case No. 3:13-CV-51682-DRH-SCW, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.

Join a Free Pradaxa Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you or a loved one were medically diagnosed with internal bleeding problems after using Pradaxa, you may be able to take legal action against the drug’s manufacturer. Joining a Pradaxa class action lawsuit or filing an individual Pradaxa lawsuit may help you recover compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages. Obtain a free case evaluation now:

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