Pradaxa cerebral hemorrhaging is one of the worst side effects patients can experience, as it can potentially induce permanent brain damage or death. Also known as stroke or brain bleeding, Pradaxa cerebral hemorrhaging is a serious concern for the patient population and prescribing physicians who are encouraged to discuss the potential side effects.

Pradaxa cerebral hemorrhaging was noted in some of the clinical trials conducted on the anticoagulant, which researchers did to observe potential side effects. One of the most well known of these studies, the RE-LY study, indicated cases of hemorrhagic stroke and bleeding beneath the membranes surrounding the brain.

The RE-LY clinical study is considered a cornerstone inquiry that helped establish the Pradaxa safety profile. When the FDA approved the medication in 2010, the agency was aware of the study and had identified Pradaxa cerebral hemorrhaging as a potential risk. The Pradaxa internal bleeding complications indicated in the RE-LY study included:

• 17.4% of Pradaxa internal bleeding needed emergency intervention for internal bleeding
• 16.4% of Pradaxa internal bleeding
• 3.3% of Pradaxa serious internal bleeding
• 1.5% of Pradaxa life threatening bleeding
• 0.3% of Pradaxa cerebral hemorrhaging

Cerebral hemorrhage is described as any kind of bleeding in or around the brain, which is caused by leaking or breaking blood vessels inside the brain. While there could be a number of contributing factors to brain bleeding, Pradaxa cerebral hemorrhaging has been documented as a potential risk.

Pradaxa cerebral hemorrhaging can potentially cut off the brain’s oxygen supply, which causes brain cell death. The cerebral hemorrhage symptoms patients could experience include:

• Abnormal Tingling or Numbness in Face, Arms, or Legs
• Speaking or Swallowing Difficulties
• Writing or Reading Difficulties
• Sudden and Severe Headache
• Changes in Vision
• Changes in Alertness or Consciousness

Overview of Pradaxa Cerebral Hemorrhaging Risk

Pradaxa is one of the most popular anticoagulants, or blood thinners, in the United States, being prescribed to millions of patients. From its release in 2010 through 2013, Pradaxa had been prescribed over to 900,000 patients.

From the time of its release, Pradaxa was considered an important breakthrough in the medical community. Pradaxa was the first drug to be used for anticoagulant purposes since the release of warfarin in the 1950s.

Pradaxa and other anticoagulants work by inhibiting the body’s clotting mechanism, to improve the body’s circulation. However this also prevents the body from recovering from internal bleeding incidents, requiring emergency intervention to resolve the complications.

Since the drug’s release, there have been two other major additions to the line of new generation anticoagulants: Xarelto and Eliquis. The success Boehringer Ingelheim experienced with Pradaxa had enticed other pharmaceutical companies to break into the lucrative anticoagulant market.

While Pradaxa has been prescribed to millions of patients, numerous patients have filed legal action against Boehringer Ingelheim for internal bleeding complications. Boehringer Ineglheim had agreed to settle 4,000 Pradaxa lawsuits for $650 million, which has encouraged other Pradaxa patients to file legal action.