Patients across America are complaining of Eliquis injuries, describing internal bleeding complications that required hospitalizations.

A number of patients who suffered these Eliquis injuries have filed legal action against Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer Inc., for failing to warn them against these potential complications.

Eliquis (apixaban) is a part of the new generation oral anticoagulants, which were approved to compete against each other and its predecessor blood thinner, warfarin.

Before the release of the first drug in this new class of blood thinners in 2010, warfarin was considered the primary anticoagulant treatment drug available to patients in the United States.

Similar to its predecessors to Pradaxa and Xarelto, Eliquis is often prescribed to treat patients with atrial fibrillation who are at high risk for stroke.

Eliquis and other anticoagulants work by inhibiting the body’s clotting ability to improve the body’s circulation, and reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis and other blood clot events.

Overview of Eliquis Injuries

This blood thinning treatment mechanism also prevents the body’s ability to recover from minor internal bleeding injuries, which can quickly turn fatal. Eliquis injuries reported by patients include:

• Gastrointestinal Bleeding
• Kidney Bleeding
• Rectal Bleeding
• Eye Bleeding
• Spinal Bleeding
• Cerebral Hemorrhage
• Stroke
• Death

These Eliquis injuries have caused major concern throughout the country’s medical community, and has incited major criticism from the general public. While Eliquis is the most recent addition to the new generation of anticoagulants, the FDA did not initially approve the medication for release.

In fact, there have been allegations of misconduct and altering test results, in order to gain FDA approval. These clinical study in question is ARISTOTLE, in which scientists alleged failed to report serious Eliquis injuries like deaths and internal bleeding events.

The study was called out by editor in chief of the New England Medical Journal of Medicine Arnold Relman, after the study was published in the journal. Relman alleged the study contained several serious flaws, and was most likely published for “financial interests.”

It is also important to note that at the time of the Eliquis approval, Pradaxa and Xarelto were facing allegations of uncontrollable internal bleeding. Currently, warfarin is the only anticoagualant with a widely available bleeding antidote, with Pradaxa’s recent antidote becoming more accessible.

Even though this is important safety information, Bristol Myers and Pfizer allegedly failed to warn patients against Eliquis injuries. In addition, patients allege the companies failed to properly test the medication and did not properly evaluate how dangerous it could be to patients.

Patients who allegedly suffered unexpected Eliquis injuries may be able to file legal action against the manufacturers. Potential claimants should contact a specialized lawyer, to determine eligibility.