If you or a loved one has been injured after taking Pradaxa, you may be wondering how to file a Pradaxa injury lawsuit.

Since its introduction into the market in 2010, this popular oral anticoagulant manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim was seen as the next new wonder drug to replace warfarin, an anticoagulant that had been used for the past six decades.

While warfarin was effective, it did require continued patient monitoring, varied doses and required that patients maintain certain dietary restrictions while they were taking the medication.

Pradaxa seemed to be the perfect solution for doctors and patients looking for a medication that was easier to administer and required less monitoring of patients.

While it has certainly filled that need, its use has also been wrought with controversy.

Common Injuries Cited in a Pradaxa Injury Lawsuit

The injuries commonly cited in a Pradaxa injury lawsuit revolve around the fact that there was no antidote for Pradaxa in cases where there is uncontrolled bleeding.

Because the method of action of Pradaxa is to stop the body from producing clots, when there is a bleeding situation, a Pradaxa user’s body is unable to make a clot when needed to stop the bleeding.

In bleeding situations, patients who were taking Pradaxa the first five years it was on the market did not have access to a reversal agent and had to wait until Pradaxa was processed out of the body’s system and the normal clotting mechanisms of the body were reinstated.

With warfarin, there were antidotes available to reverse the blood thinning mechanisms of the medication and reinstate the body’s natural clotting processes.

Fresh frozen plasma and intravenous vitamin K could quickly stop uncontrolled bleeding in patients.

Up until the fall of 2015, patients taking Pradaxa had no way to have their bleeding controlled if they experienced a bleeding event.

Gastrointestinal bleeding and intracranial bleeds are the two most common types of bleeding events seen with patients taking Pradaxa.

Fortunately, Boehringer Ingelheim received FDA approval for its Pradaxa antidote called Praxabind, and it is now available at many hospitals. Moving forward, hopefully these bleeding events seen in Pradaxa patients will be better controlled.

However, for those who of already suffered injuries, this development has come too late.

Common Allegations in a Pradaxa Injury Lawsuit

Plaintiffs who file Pradaxa injury lawsuits often allege that the product is defective in its design.

They claim that the manufacturer has failed to warn patients and doctors of the serious risks and side effects associated with Pradaxa use.

Pradaxa lawsuits have also focused on the research regarding drug safety and proper dosage information, saying that the studies undertaken as part of the approval process for the drug were flawed.

Plaintiffs also claim that Boehringer Ingelheim has been negligent in its actions.

For Pradaxa users who died as a result of fatal bleeding injuries, the families of these individuals often file wrongful death claims against the manufacturer.

Free Consultation for a Pradaxa Injury Lawsuit

As of 2014, more than 4000 lawsuits were filed against the manufacturer.

Boehringer Ingelheim paid $650 million to settle all the lawsuits that were pending at the time, but didn’t admit any wrongdoing.

Many lawsuits have been filed since that time and are currently pending in the courts.

If you would like more personalized information about filing a Pradaxa injury lawsuit, an attorney can review your case at no charge and can help you understand the legal options that are available to you.