In a Xarelto lawsuit, Janssen Pharmaceuticals was targeted for the blood thinner’s alleged side effects, causing an Ohio woman substantial personal injury as a result of gastrointestinal bleeding.

Plaintiff Molly Ann H. and her husband Daniel H. brought forth the Xarelto bleeding lawsuit against the defendants earlier this month. Molly Ann was prescribed Xarelto in September 2013 to treat her atrial fibrillation, a heart arrhythmia condition that increases the risk of stroke.

After taking Xarelto for two months, Molly Ann experienced severe gastrointestinal bleeding allegedly as a side effect from the drug. The severe bleeding also led her to develop anemia, which caused her to have other ongoing health issues.

Other plaintiffs who have filed lawsuits against Xarelto allege that the manufacturers have not adequately warned consumers about the risks associated with the drug, and that lack of an effective reversal agent for Xarelto presents a grave safety concern.

The Xarelto lawsuit indicated that there were over 2,000 adverse events reported in 2012 that were similar to Molly Ann’s, and 151 of those events were deaths reported from the use of the drug.

Molly Ann’s Xarelto lawsuit joins the other 1,700 claims against Janssen and J&J that are pending in federal court. Pretrial proceedings are currently underway under U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon in the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Xarelto Side Effects

Xarelto (rivaroxaban) is an new generation anticoagulant drug designed to reduce the risk of stoke caused by atrial fibrillation. Additionally, it is used to treat deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). It was one of three newer generation drugs (Pradaxa and Eliquis are the other two) developed to be an improvement over the older generation drug, warfarin (Coumadin).

Doctors and patients alike liked the apparent ease of use of Xarelto. The dosing was easier, recommended monitoring and follow-up was required less frequently, and there were no dietary restrictions that the older drug warfarin had.

However, it wasn’t long after these drugs hit the market that adverse events began to be reported. Like its predecessor warfarin, excess bleeding could occur because the normal clotting mechanism of the blood was disabled.

Warfarin had an effective reversal agent to stop the side effects of the drug and reverse the excess bleeding. Fresh frozen plasma and intravenous vitamin K were used as an antidote to stop the bleeding. Xarelto, as well as Pradaxa and Eliquis, lack an effective antidote.

Because there is a lack of an antidote, bleeding can be severe and prolonged. Doctors must wait until the effects of the drug wear off and attempt to manage the bleeding as best as they can until the normal clotting mechanism is restored naturally by the body.  Sometimes, the damage done is irreversible, and in some cases, this can be fatal.

Xarelto Bleeding Lawsuit Information

If you or a loved one has suffered bleeding complications following Xarelto use, you may be entitled to legal compensation. A Xarelto lawyer will review your Xarelto injury case for free and will assist in guiding you on your legal options.

The Xarelto Bleeding Lawsuit is Case No. 2:15-cv-02881-GLF-EPD in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.