A grieving widow from Tennessee has filed a lawsuit against drug makers Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer for failing to warn of the excessive bleeding side effects associated with their blood thinning medication Eliquis, which ultimately caused the death of her husband.

Plaintiff Heike D.’s deceased husband, Raynald, was prescribed Eliquis , also known as apixaban, to reduce his risk of stroke and embolism.

Prior to his death, Raynald had a known medical history of coronary artery disease, hypertension, and chronic bronchitis. He had also been diagnosed with small cell lung cancer that ultimately spread to his liver in April 2015.

During a doctor’s visit in July 2015, Raynald was prescribed Eliquis to treat his cardiovascular diseases and other health conditions.  He took the blood thinner medication for approximately three months before discontinuing Eliquis due to excessive bleeding.

Beginning in September 2015, Raynald was admitted to the hospital on two occasions due to anal bleeding, where medical testing indicated he had lost six pints of blood.  He was required to undergo weekly or bi-weekly blood transfusions during the time he took Eliquis but after three months the damage was irreversible.

On February 1, 2016, Raynald died as a result of alleged excessive bleeding complications from Eliquis.

As a direct result of Bristol-Myers Squibb’s negligence in promoting Eliquis, Heike has been deprived of the love, services, society, advice, and companionship of her husband Raynald.

Heike is asking the court to award her compensatory damages of $12.5 million and punitive damages in the amount of $50 million for Bristol-Myers Squibb’s and Pfizer’s negligent acts and omissions of the excessive bleeding side effects of Eliquis.

What is Eliquis?

Eliquis is a new oral anticoagulant treatment alternative to warfarin (Coumadin), a long-established safe treatment for preventing stroke and systematic embolism.

The makers of Eliquis emphasize the supposed benefits of treatment with Eliquis over warfarin in that Eliquis does not require periodic monitoring with blood tests and does not limit a patient’s diet, and that a set dose fits all patients.

Eliquis received FDA approval in 2012 and among the uses for which it obtained permission to market the drug was in the treatment of atrial fibrillation and other cardiovascular diseases and to prevent stroke and embolism.

In 2014, sales of Eliquis were reported as $774 million, of which $281 million was just for the fourth quarter alone.

Excessive Bleeding Risks

According to the Eliquis excessive bleeding lawsuit, before and after marketing the new generation anticoagulant, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer allegedly became aware of many reports of serious hemorrhaging in users of its drug, both as reported to the FDA and to the defendants directly.

Yet, the drug makers never disclosed to the medical profession or patients what the incidences of such adverse reactions are.

Despite claims of superior safety and effectiveness compared to the older anticoagulant warfarin, there is thin supporting evidence that Eliquis is safer or more effective than warfarin.

And unlike warfarin, Eliquis does not have an antidote that allows doctors to stop bleeding complications, nor does it require regular blood monitoring that can help prevent dangerous excessive bleeding events.

The Eliquis approval process has also come under scrutiny for reported irregularities at a clinical trial site.

Eliquis Bleeding Lawsuits

Lawsuits are being filed against drug makers Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer for alleged Eliquis-related injuries and deaths. If you or a loved one suffered excessive bleeding complications while taking Eliquis, you may be eligible for a lawsuit. Learn more during a free case review with an experienced dangerous drug attorney.

The Eliquis Excessive Bleeding Lawsuit is Case No. 1:16-cv-00303 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, Chattanooga Division.