Eliquis is one of the most popular anticoagulants available, but a growing link between Eliquis and internal bleeding has led to serious concerns. Some injured patients have filed Eliquis lawsuits, alleging that they have suffered from internal bleeding complications.

Eliquis Background

Eliquis (apixaban) is a relatively new anticoagulant. It was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2012.

Eliquis is part of a group of new anticoagulants known as Factor Xa Inhibitors, which have surfaced in the market as an alternative to the decades-old staple drug, warfarin. Other popular Factor Xa Inhibitors are Pradaxa and Xarelto.

Like other blood thinners, Eliquis is an oral anticoagulant that is used primarily to prevent strokes and treat blood clotting. Since the entrance of Factor Xa Inhibitors to the market just a few years ago, millions have switched to these drugs. This movement to newer drugs and away from warfarin may be due in large part to the fact that medications like Eliquis do not require the frequent blood testing checkups that go hand-in-hand with warfarin. Eliquis can seem like a convenient alternative to those who consider these checkups a hassle.

Eliquis and Internal Bleeding

Unfortunately, while Eliquis may seem more convenient, it lacks one very important aspect of warfarin: an antidote. Warfarin has an antidote to counteract its effects in the event of a bleeding emergency, while Eliquis does not.

In some cases, having an antidote can prevent serious problems. Indeed, even though the drug’s makers market Eliquis as safe to use, many patients have reported severe side effects after using Eliquis, indicating a link between Eliquis and internal bleeding problems.

While blood thinning medications like Eliquis are generally used to prevent clotting, clotting can actually be the body’s only defense against internal bleeding. Patients taking blood thinners are unable to effectively form these life-saving clots. Eliquis and internal bleeding, without an available antidote, can actually be fatal.

A recent recall of one lot of Eliquis tablets has given patients even more cause for concern. Bristol-Myers Squibb issued this Eliquis recall in June 2017 after receiving reports that a patient found 2.5 mg tablets of Eliquis in a package labeled for 5 mg tablets. The company says that patients who take these lower-dose tablets could be at an increased risk for stroke, a moving blood clot, or death.

Filing a Claim Over Eliquis and Internal Bleeding

Because of these risks, many patients have chosen to file Eliquis lawsuits against the drug’s manufacturers, alleging negligence and failure to adequately warn the public and the medical community of the link between Eliquis and internal bleeding problems.

Eliquis lawsuits allege that the drug’s manufacturers, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer, Inc., misled the public and the medical community about the safety and efficacy of Eliquis. Had these patients been fully aware of the risks they were taking when antidotes for alternative drugs were available, these patients may have chosen differently.

Unfortunately, some families have even had to file wrongful death lawsuits on behalf of a patient who died from Eliquis and internal bleeding.

Eliquis internal bleeding lawsuits cannot reverse damage or bring a loved one back, but they can help to alleviate the financial burden caused by medical expenses and lost wages.

If you or someone you know has taken the blood thinner Eliquis and has subsequently experienced Eliquis internal bleeding or any of these other symptoms due to Eliquis, you may have cause for filing an Eliquis internal bleeding lawsuit.