A blood thinner reversal agent may soon be available to patients prescribed Eliquis and other new generation anticoagulants.

Recent studies have indicated the proposed reversal agent has shown positive results, which is good news for patients at risk for Eliquis internal bleeding problems.

The study was published in late September 2016 in the New England Journal of Medicine, with researchers finding patients responding positively to potential reversal agent AndexXa (Andexant Alfa).

Scientists found this agent had successfully reversed the blood thinning effects of the drugs, in less than 24 hours of being administered.

The study analyzed 67 patients who were prescribed Factor Xa anticoagulants, like Eliquis, and suffered internal bleeding incidents soon after.

According to the findings, the blood thinner reversal agent decreased the internal bleeding effects by 93% in Eliquis patients.

Twelve hours after the blood thinner reversal agent was administered, internal bleeding injuries were quickly reversed.

The company in charge of developing AndexXa, Portola Pharmaceuticals, also developed Pradaxa’s blood thinner reversal agent Praxbind (idarucizumab).

Praxbind was approved by the FDA in October 2015, which was the first blood thinner reversal agent developed for new generation anticoagulants.

While the results for AndexXa is promising, the FDA stated that it will require additional information before approving the blood thinner reversal agent.

The information needed includes how AndexXa is manufactured and whether or not the drug can be used with anticoagulants Savaysa and Lovenox before gaining approval.

Overview of Anticoagulant Internal Bleeding Problems

The need for a new blood thinner reversal agent has been greatly anticipated, as numerous patients report internal bleeding problems in correlation with new generation anticoagulants.

Before Praxbind was released, Pradaxa patients potentially faced death with the occurrence of internal bleeding because there was no readily available reversal agent.

The only anticoagulant available with a widely reversal blood thinner reversal agent is warfarin, with doctors administering vitamin K to stop bleeding.

Anticoagulants work by inhibiting the body’s clotting mechanism to improve the overall circulation. These medications are typically prescribed to patients suffering from atrial fibrillation, or who are at high risk for blood clot attacks.

Consequently, these drugs inhibit the body’s ability to recover from internal bleeding injuries. Even though this is highly important safety information, manufacturers allegedly omitted this from the new generation anticoagulant warning labels.

Patients who may have suffered internal bleeding incidents from taking Eliquis or other anticoagulants may be able to file legal action against the companies. Potential claimants should contact a specialized lawyer to determine eligibility for an Eliquis lawsuit.