Internal bleeding is one of the most serious drug complications a patient can suffer, requiring immediate medical attention to avoid death.

There are various causes of internal bleeding typically stemming from some form of trauma, with severe cases often needing surgical intervention.

Due to the severity of this complication, patients should be vigilant against the symptoms of internal bleeding:

• Abdominal pain or swelling
• Fatigue or dizziness
• Large area of the skin is purple
• Swelling or tightness in the legs
• Headache

Internal bleeding affects the patient from the loss of blood, as well as the pressure its puts on organs and tissues. Intravenous fluids and blood transfusions can be implement to correct the loss in blood pressure, but ore serious cases may require surgery to save the patient’s lives.

Blood Thinning Medication & Internal Bleeding Risks

Eliquis (Apixaban) is the most recent blood thinning medication to be introduced in the American anticoagulant market, as a joint effort between Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer.

Approved by the FDA in 2012, Eliquis was meant to be an additional choice for patients suffering from atrial fibrillation and are prone to blood clotting. However, this blood thinning medication has recently been linked to internal bleeding.

When the FDA approved Eliquis, the drug faced intense scrutiny with its approval delayed by the agency for nine months. FDA reviewers also opposed the claims of Eliquis being overtly superior in safety and efficiency compared to Warfarin and the other blood thinning medications.

The FDA’s cautious position stemmed from the internal bleeding allegations from earlier new generation blood thinners, Pradaxa and Xarelto. Unlike America’s original blood thinning medication, Warfarin, the newer anticoagulants do not have a reversal agent in the case of internal bleeding.

In addition, Wafarin patients have to frequently see their physicians for dose adjustments, while the newer blood thinners are only prescribed in a single dose. Even though patients are opting for the newer blood thinner medications due to their convenience, there have been hundreds of adverse  internal bleeding events reports, according to the FDA.

Blood Thinner Reversal

Warfarin patients can be provided a reversal agent in the case of internal bleeding but patients taking the newer blood thinning medications do not have that option.

In the case of Eliquis, the drug works by inhibiting the body’s clotting ability, which prevents thrombosis from forming. However, the internal bleeding risk occurs from the drug’s efficient treatment mechanism.

When Eliquis was first released into the market, it was advertised to be more safe and effective than Warfarin despite not having a reversal agent. In addition, Eliquis had toted essentially the same claims that Pradaxa and Xarelto did upon their releases.

These claims of safety and efficiency has also landed these drugs in hot water, causing their manufacturing companies to face major litigation backlash.

Despite the severity of the risk, uncontrollable internal bleeding was not mentioned on the Eliquis label. Patients who were prescribed Eliquis and suffered internal bleeding injuries, may be eligible to file legal action against Pfizer and Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Potential claimants should contact specialized lawyers, to determine if they have a lawsuit.