The blood thinning medication Pradaxa is one of the top selling drugs in the U.S. due to its ability to effectively prevent stroke and blood clots in patients with abnormal heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation).

It’s been in the news recently for other reasons, however, as several Pradaxa bleeding lawsuits have been filed on behalf of individuals who have suffered from catastrophic Pradaxa bleeding events after taking the prescription drug.

Pradaxa (also known as dabigatran) is a relatively new anticoagulant that works by clotting the protein thrombin. The drug was released on the American market in October 2010. It is approved to prevent blood clots in patients who have atrial fibrillation not caused by heart valve disease, and at least one other risk factor for stroke.

According to lawsuits filed against the drug’s manufacturer Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, some patients taking the medication have reportedly experienced serious health problems including, uncontrollable Pradaxa bleeding. Further, some of the lawsuits allege that Boehringer Ingelheim knew that taking the drug could cause a possible risk of serious bleeding but failed to warn individuals of the allegedly defective and dangerous nature of the drug.

Irreversible Pradaxa Bleeding

Blood thinners make it more difficult for the blood to clot. This is good for preventing strokes, but can also interfere with the body’s natural response to injuries. If a patient taking blood thinners gets injured, they may bleed uncontrollably.

For a patient taking the standard go-to blood thinner Warfarin, excessive bleeding can be controlled with Vitamin K and fresh frozen plasma (FFP). Vitamin K neutralizes the Warfarin, and the plasma transfusion restores clotting agents to the patient’s body. The patient can stop bleeding and start to heal.

Alarmingly, Pradaxa has no antidote and, to date, there is no reversal agent for Pradaxa patients who bleed uncontrollably. Hundreds of patients have allegedly bled to death as a result.

To compound the problem, the new anticoagulant is available in only one dose. This means that patients who are more likely to experience adverse effects like kidney failure and excessive bleeding have to take the same dosage as lower-risk patients.

A large number of individuals with atrial fibrillation have been encouraged to take the new generation blood thinner in place of its much older counterpart Warfarin—mainly because Pradaxa does not require dietary restrictions and regular monitoring, and has less drug interactions than Warfarin.

Yet, Pradaxa was the highest source of Adverse Drug Event reports to the FDA in 2011. No other drug even came close.

Pradaxa Bleeding Lawsuits

The injuries suffered from Pradaxa bleeding events have been noted to cause significant harm, including death.  Lawsuits for individuals harmed by Pradaxa seek compensation for the injuries caused by the drug, medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.

If you or a loved one took Pradaxa and experienced severe internal bleeding, or if your loved one died as a result, you may be eligible to file a Pradaxa bleeding lawsuit or wrongful death lawsuit against Boehringer Ingelheim.