A Xarelto bleeding lawsuit has been filed against drug manufacturers Bayer and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, alleging that they failed to provide adequate warnings that Xarelto users were at an increased risk for developing life threatening bleeds.

An Alabama resident has filed this Xarelto lawsuit against Janssen Pharmaceuticals (a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson and the co-marketer of Xarelto) and Bayer Healthcare AG, alleging these companies failed to warn patients and provide information to physicians about the risks of uncontrollable bleeds associated with their joint drug Xarelto or how to intervene and stabilize a patient should Xarelto bleeding occur.

According to the Xarelto lawsuit, plaintiff Gwedolyn M. used Xarelto and subsequently experienced a subdural hematoma as a direct result of ingesting this anticoagulant drug. She was hospitalized in May 2014. Gwendolyn claims the drug should not be sold and that Bayer and Janssen negligently promoted Xarelto as safe when they allegedly knew the blood thinner could cause life-threatening internal bleeding complications.

Xarelto Bleeding

Doctors prescribe the blood thinner Xarelto (rivaroxaban) to patients in order to reduce the risk of blood clots that may cause strokes. Xarelto is a popular medication because, according to its manufacturers, it does not require patients to have special diets or have blood tests to determine the dose like warfarin, one of the oldest blood thinners. In 2013, Bayer made $1.3 billion in sales from the drug, and will likely make billions more during the next few years.

Bayer and J&J advertise that Xarelto is safe and more convenient than warfarin. However, the drug comes with a very dangerous Xarelto side effect, such as internal bleeding, which can be fatal. In 2013, German regulators reported the number of deaths attributed to Xarelto had risen from those reported in 2012.

While the risk of bleeding exists with all blood thinners, Xarelto is more dangerous because it does not have an antidote. For example, warfarin, one of the oldest blood thinners, may also cause bleeding, but doctors can use a vitamin K antidote to stop the Xarelto bleeding incidences.

Xarelto Injury Lawsuits

People who ended up in the hospital with severe or fatal bleeds filed Xarelto lawsuits or joined Xarelto class action lawsuits against the drug manufacturers claiming they released a dangerous drug and misled the public about the products supposed safety.

The Xarelto bleeding lawsuit is seeking compensatory, economic, and punitive damages for the drug companies’ alleged fraudulent and reckless disregard for the safety and welfare of Xarelto users like Gwendolyn. The filed complaint indicates a demand for a jury trial for this case.

The Xarelto Lawsuit is Case No. 3:15-cv-00861, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.