Another dangerous drug lawsuit has been brought against Janssen Pharmaceuticals for personal injury resulting from the use of Xarelto, an anticoagulant drug.

Plaintiff Andrew S., a resident of New Hampshire, was prescribed Xarelto from his physician on Sept. 7, 2014 to treat his atrial fibrillation and began taking it the next day. He discontinued Xarelto only one week after he began using it on Sept. 15. According to the Xarelto lawsuit, he began to develop bloody stools, and his doctor ordered him to collect stool samples to be analyzed on that same day. A few days later, Andrew’s condition worsened and he was admitted to the hospital for internal bleeding, severe weakness and low hematocrit levels in the blood.

After being sent to a gastroenterologist, it was determined that Andrew had a serious internal bleed originating from the portal connection the esophagus to the stomach. He still suffers from this issue that is potentially life-threatening, and is currently undergoing treatment.

In this Xarelto lawsuit, nine counts have been brought against the drug manufacturer. These include negligence in product testing and manufacture, warnings provided, strict products liability, breach of express and implied warranties, fraudulent misrepresentation and omission, negligent misrepresentation, fraud and deceit, and violation of the New Hampshire Consumer Protection Act.

Andrew is seeking compensatory, consequential, and punitive damages with respect to past, present and future medical expenses, attorney and related fees, and for other extraordinary, declaratory or injunctive relief as permitted by law to ensure an effective remedy for his gastrointestinal bleeding.

Andrew’s situation is just one of many Xarelto lawsuits against Janssen Pharmaceuticals which all similarly allege serious complications following use of the blood thinner. According to this plaintiff, he had only taken the medication for a week and suffered major internal bleeding damage that could potentially last a lifetime.

Xarelto Uses and Internal Bleeding

Xarelto (rivaroxaban) is a newer generation anticoagulant medication used to reduce stroke risk from atrial fibrillation (Afib), deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) and also to treat DVT and PE. Prior to the newer anticoagulant drugs (Xarelto, Pradaxa and Eliquis), warfarin was the most commonly used anticoagulant that was generally deemed safe.

While bleeding complications are a known as the most common side effect of all classes of anticoagulants, warfarin is the only drug that has an antidote to the bleeding. Fresh frozen plasma along with intravenous Vitamin K are the most commonly used interventions to restore bleeding to normal and gain control of any bleeding events. None of the new generation of anticoagulants has an antidote, allowing the internal bleeding to persist indefinitely without a timely solution.

Over the last few years, the number of reports to the FDA for Xarelto bleeding have increased. In 2012, there were 1218 cases filed, the number tripled in 2013 to 3600 cases, and through October of 2014, there were 3011 cases filed with the FDA.

Xarelto Lawsuit Information

If you or someone you love has experienced internal bleeding after taking Xarelto, you may be entitled to legal damage for your Xarelto injury, pain and suffering. A Xarelto lawyer can provide a free consultation to individually discuss your confidential situation.

The Xarelto Bleeding Lawsuit is Case No. 1:15-cv-00022, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire.