Johnson & Johnson and Bayer HealthCare are facing a growing Xarelto bleeding litigation, from numerous patients alleging serious internal bleeding from Xarelto. One of the most recent additions comes from a Louisiana woman, alleging internal bleeding from Xarelto had nearly caused her death.

Plaintiff Gloria P. had been prescribed the anticoagulant to prevent blood clot attacks, but allegedly suffered internal bleeding from Xarelto instead. While Xarelto and other anticoagulants work by preventing blood from clotting, they are not supposed to cause potentially fatal internal bleeding injuries.

As the treatment mechanism for this drug is to inhibit clotting, this also makes the body unable to recover from minor internal bleeding complications. According to her Xarelto lawsuit, Gloria had been prescribed and used the anticoagulant between Jan. 1, 2015 through Feb. 1, 2016. On the day her prescription had abruptly ended, Gloria had reportedly suffered internal bleeding from Xarelto.

While Gloria had survived her Xarelto uncontrollable bleeding episode, she claims her health was chronically impaired by the anticoagulant. Xarelto is typically prescribed to treat atrial fibrillation and prevent stroke, with Gloria using the medication for its approved purposes.

Gloria had opted to file legal action soon after recovering from her alleged Xarelto bleeding injuries, alleging the companies failed to warn her against these complications. Gloria and other claimants allege internal bleeding from Xarelto, in which emergency treatment was required to prevent their deaths.

At all times relevant, Gloria had only used the medication for its intended purpose and did not deviate from prescription instructions.

Overview of Internal Bleeding from Xarelto

Xarelto entered the market in 2011, and is a part of the new generation anticoagulant line that was specifically designed and released to give patients more options to treat blood clots.

Originally, warfarin had been the primary anticoagulant choice for patients and had frequent dose adjustment requirements. This meant patients regularly had to see their physician to check on medication reactions. Most importantly, warfarin had been the only anticoagulant with a reversal agent to stop uncontrollable internal bleeding events.

While Pradaxa patients now have Praxbind to use in these emergency situations, it does not help current Xarelto patients. It is important to note that Pradaxa was the first medication to be approved for anticoagulant purposes since warfarin in the 1960s, which led to Xarelto and Eliquis entering the market soon after.

New generation anticoagulants quickly overtook warfarin in popularity, due to their convenient single dose prescription. However this convenience may have compromised the safety profile of these medications, as internal bleeding from Xarelto and other anticoagulants are continuously reported.

Gloria is filing her Xarelto lawsuit in MDL No. 2592, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging similar injuries. Gloria alleges there were no warnings or indications on the drug’s warning label, and that the companies made no effort to disclose this information.

Gloria states that she would not have opted for the medication, if she had known about potential internal bleeding from Xarelto.

This Xarelto Lawsuit is Case No. 2:17-cv-07395-EEF-MBN, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.