Bayer HealthCare and Johnson & Johnson are facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) consisting of product liability claims from patients alleging serious injuries such as anemia due to Xarelto. One of the most recent Xarelto lawsuits comes from a woman from Michigan alleging she developed anemia due to Xarelto.

Plaintiff Shirley F. alleges she developed anemia due to Xarelto soon after starting her prescription and claims the pharmaceutical companies failed to warn her against potentially fatal drug side effects. According to the Xarelto lawsuit, Shirley was prescribed the new generation anticoagulant to treat her atrial fibrillation.

This is a typical use for Xarelto, which is typically prescribed to treat atrial fibrillation and to lower the chances of stroke occurring in the patient. Bayer and Johnson & Johnson market Xarelto as a safe and effective treatment method for blood clot prevention.

Given these benefits, Shirley claims, her physician started her on Xarelto on Feb. 16, 2015, and she took the medication according to prescription instructions and physician advice. However just several months after starting her prescription, Shirley says she was admitted to the hospital where she was diagnosed with anemia on April 22, 2015.

According to the Xarelto lawsuit, Shirley had to undergo a blood transfusion and receive additional medical treatment for her injuries. Shirley says she had to be hospitalized for two days, with her physician ending her prescription after noting potential anemia due to Xarelto.

Anemia is a serious medical condition in which the blood cannot carry enough oxygen throughout their body due to the lack of red blood cells. While the exact cause of anemia is unknown, severe blood loss can be a contributing factor.

Even though anemia due to Xarelto would have long term side effects on patients, Shirley claims Bayer and Johnson & Johnson allegedly failed to warn the general public against this possibility.

Overview of Xarelto Bleeding Complications

Xarelto was approved by the FDA in 2011 and entered the market just a year after its predecessor Pradaxa. In 2010, Pradaxa was the first medication to be released for anticoagulant treatment purposes since warfarin the 1950s.

Xarelto and other new generation anticoagulants were released to compete against each other and blood thinner warfarin. The newer drugs claimed to have a convenient single dose prescription feature. In contrast, warfarin patients may have to undergo frequent dose adjustments from their doctors.

While the single dose prescription is convenient, it also allows for less medical monitoring. In addition, warfarin patients had a readily available antidote in case of internal bleeding incidents. At this time, Xarelto patients do not have a reversal agent available and have to undergo emergency treatment in the case of internal bleeding events.

Even though these drug complications can be potentially fatal, Johnson & Johnson and Bayer HealthCare allegedly failed to warn the public. Shirley’s Xarelto lawsuit is joining MDL No. 2592, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging serious injuries like anemia due to Xarelto.

Shirley states she would not have agreed to take the anticoagulant if she had known about possible anemia due to Xarelto.

This Xarelto Lawsuit is Case No. 2:18-cv-03783-EEF-MBN, in the U.S. District Court of Eastern Louisiana.