A growing concern exists surrounding adverse side effects of Eliquis. Eliquis is a popular blood thinning medication manufactured by Pfizer and Bristol-Meyers Squibb.

Although the medication was initially advertised as superior to other blood thinner medications, adverse event reports have raised concerns about the internal bleeding risks associated with Eliquis.

Eliquis received approval from the FDA back in 2012. Medical professionals prescribe the medication to patients who are at risk of blood clots after undergoing knee or hip replacement surgery and in patients who have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.

Eliquis is generically known as apixaban and belongs to a new generation of blood thinners. The medication works by blocking factor x which is a critical component to the blood-clotting process.

When Eliquis first hit the market it was heavily advertised as a superior alternative to the older blood thinner medication, warfarin often referred to as Coumadin. Warfarin has been an established blood thinner on the market for decades.

Patients taking warfarin are required to undergo blood monitoring and must follow a restrictive diet to ensure the medication works properly. Patients taking Eliquis are not bound by these same restrictions.

One benefit to using warfarin is that the blood thinner medication has an FDA approved antidote. Eliquis does not. Internal bleeding is a common side effect of all blood thinning medications.

Unfortunately patients taking Eliquis who experience uncontrolled bleeding have no antidote to reverse the anticoagulant effects. This can cause patients to suffer serious injury including death.

On the other hand, warfarin patients who suffer from internal bleeding can be given a dose of vitamin K mixed with fresh or frozen plasma to stop the bleeding and reverse the effects of the blood thinner medication.

Eliquis side effects include bleeding on the brain, intestinal bleeding, kidney bleeding, deep vein thrombosis and death. Since the medication has been on the market several adverse event reports have been received by the FDA regarding serious bleeding complications patients experienced after taking Eliquis.

Eliquis Lawsuits

Legal professionals are expecting an influx of Eliquis lawsuits as soon as cases involving similar blood thinner medications begin to progress through the legal system. Other anticoagulants with similar internal bleeding complications include Pradaxa and Xarelto.

In 2014, the pharmaceutical manufacturers of Pradaxa agreed to pay $650 million in order to settle 4,000 Pradaxa lawsuits.

The manufacturers of Xarelto are also facing litigation over the bleeding risks associated with their blood thinner medication.

The lawsuits against these companies allege that the pharmaceutical companies failed to warn the medical community and the general public about serious internal bleeding risks associated with the blood thinner medication. Specific claims against the company likely include allegations of negligence, breach of warranty, fraud and misrepresentation, and products liability.

Patients who have suffered from Eliquis side effects may be able to seek compensation from Pfizer and Bristol-Meyers Squib for the pain and suffering they endured by filing an Eliquis lawsuit against the companies. Family members who have lost loved ones due to Eliquis internal bleeding may also be able to file a lawsuit on their loved one’s behalf.