Eliquis (apixaban) is a popular anticoagulant medication often prescribed to prevent blood clots in patients who have recently undergone hip or knee replacement surgery, as well as prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is an irregular, rapid heart rate that commonly causes poor blood flow.

However, many personal injury lawsuits are now being filed accusing the drug manufacturer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, of failing to warn the medical community and the general public about the dangerous risk of Eliquis internal bleeding.

FDA Reports Warn Of Eliquis Bleeding Risks

The FDA adverse event report documents thousands of complaints of patients who used blood thinners such as Eliquis as prescribed and experienced symptoms of internal bleeding and hemorrhage.

Eliquis is the third anticoagulant to hit the market as a member of a new generation of blood thinners. This new generation includes other blood thinners such as Pradaxa and Xarelto. These blood thinners have been aggressively marketed as superior alternatives to using Warfarin. Warfarin was introduced to the market decades ago and is a well established blood thinner. Patients taking Warfarin are required to undergo regular blood testing and must follow extensive dietary restrictions.

Eliquis and other new anticoagulant medications on the market do not require these restrictions. Unfortunately, FDA adverse event reports suggest these blood thinners are also ranked among the most deadly prescription medications on the market because of the high risk of irreversible internal bleeding.

With previous generation anticoagulants, patients taking Warfarin who experience uncontrolled bleeding can be given a dose of vitamin K mixed with fresh or frozen plasma as an antidote. This helps reverse the anticoagulant agent of Warfarin.

The internal bleeding risk for new generation blood thinners is particularly dangerous; unlike the more traditional anticoagulant Warfarin, there is no reversal agent for Eliquis or other new blood thinner medications.

Overview of Eliquis Lawsuits

Several Eliquis lawsuits have already been filed against Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Eliquis attorneys believe many more will be filed as lawsuits progress against the manufacturers of Xarelto and Pradaxa. The uncontrollable bleeding lawsuits are generally brought by the victims directly or by family members who have lost loved ones to the medication.

These Eliquis lawsuits similarly allege that Bristol-Myers Squibb violated consumer protection laws by failing to disclose risks of potential uncontrolled bleeding and hemorrhage to the public. Claims against the company likely include negligence, breach of warranty, strict products liability, failure to warn, and fraud and misrepresentation.

In some cases, a plaintiff’s spouse may be able to bring a loss of consortium claim. A claim for loss of consortium alleges a loss of spousal intimacy or familial relationship. To bring a loss of consortium claim, the victim’s spouse joins as a co-plaintiff, which is usually done in hopes of increasing the amount of the award and settlement.

Awards and settlements from these Eliquis lawsuits may help compensate victims for past and future medical bills as well as for the pain and suffering they have been forced to endure. Lawsuits against drug manufacturers like Bristol-Myers Squibb help hold the companies responsible for their actions and reminds them that they owe a specific duty of care to their consumers.