New reports claim that while one of the next generation of blood thinners may help reduce the occurrence of blood clots, it could also be placing patients at a high risk for dangerous internal bleeding.

Eliquis is an anticoagulant manufactured by Pfizer and Bristol-Meyers Squibb. It is commonly prescribed to help reduce the risk of forming blood clots after surgery and to treat patients with irregular heartbeats. Eliquis is marketed as a drug that’s “proven better than warfarin (coumadin)” in reducing the possibility of stroke but some patients are finding Eliquis side effects are not worth the risk. However, several Eliquis lawsuits have been filed because patients believe the life-threatening Eliquis side effect risks were not adequately disclosed to them.

Eliquis Internal Bleeding Risk

Approved by the FDA in 2012, Eliquis was designed and marketed as a safer, more convenient blood thinner and followed the release of similar anticoagulant drugs Pradaxa and Xarelto. Originally approved to reduce the risk of stroke and blood clots in patients with atrial fibrillation, Eliquis manufacturers began targeting the medical community and consumers with claims that the new blood thinner is superior to the traditionally prescribed anticoagulant known as warfarin (coumadin).

Marketers for the new drug claim patients don’t have to follow any dietary restrictions or suffer through routine blood testing making it easier on Eliquis consumers. And while this may make life more convenient, studies show warfarin patients can be given a dose of vitamin K to stop any uncontrollable bleeding yet Eliquis patients are left with no way to control it. If a patient taking warfarin suffers from serious internal bleeding, they can be treated with an antidote to get it under control. For Eliquis patients, it’s not that simple. As there is no known antidote to stop Eliquis internal bleeding; the serious condition cannot be reversed.

Eliquis Lawsuits

As one of the newest anticoagulants on the market today, Eliquis manufacturers are facing serious allegations regarding the side effects of Eliquis. Eliquis lawsuits are being filed by patients who were prescribed the blood thinning medication and experienced one or more of the following dangerous Eliquis side effects as a result:

• Internal bleeding
• Bleeding of the brain
• Kidney bleeding
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Red, pink or brown urine
• Red or black stools
• Coughing up or vomiting blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds

Out of the several Eliquis lawsuits already filed, plaintiffs similarly allege that Eliquis manufacturers, Pfizer and Bristol-Meyers Squibb, downplayed the risks for the dangerous Eliquis side effects making the company negligent in their Eliquis bleeding warnings.

Plaintiffs want to be compensated for their pain and suffering along with being reimbursed for the cost of medical expenses due to taking this drug. If you or your loved one has suffered from Eliquis side effects, you may have legal claim.