An Ohio woman is suing the makers of Xarelto, claiming the use of the blood thinner caused her to develop a life-threatening Xarelto intracranial bleed.

Plaintiff Suzanne S. ingested Xarelto from approximately Feb. 24, 2015 to Dec. 2, 2015, when she suffered an intracranial bleed – a subarachnoid hemorrhage, according to her Xarelto lawsuit.

She alleges Bayer Healthcare and Janssen Pharmaceuticals failed to warn patients and the medical community about the possible increased risks of life-threatening intracranial bleeding associated with taking Xarelto.

Suzanne 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 a life-threatening intracranial bleed or other serious internal bleeding events.

The Risk of Xarelto Intracranial Bleed

Xarelto was approved by the FDA in 2011 as a preventative measure against stroke for patients suffering from non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

Many benefits have made it many physician’s choice over warfarin, including its once daily use, lesser need for monitoring, and the claim that it has less of a risk for intracranial or brain hemorrhages.

A study conducted by California doctors found that the risk for intracranial bleed increased in patients over the age of 65 who were taking Xarelto.

The study also found that Xarelto should not be recommended in patients with decreased creatinine clearance, as the risk for intracranial hemorrhage is higher.

Xarelto has been linked to intracranial bleeding, or brain hemorrhages, which occur when blood suddenly rushes into the brain tissue and causes damage to the brain.

The sudden accumulation of blood puts pressure on the brain and interferes with the oxygen supply. Nerve damage and permanent brain damage can quickly occur.

Symptoms of brain hemorrhages include:

• sudden weakness, tingling, or paralysis
• sudden severe headache
• difficulty swallowing
• blurred with vision in one or both eyes
• loss of balance and coordination
• difficulty with language skills (reading, writing, speaking, understanding)
• nausea and vomiting
• sudden sleepiness, lethargy, loss of consciousness
• confusion and delirium

Treatment for an intracranial bleed typically involves immediate surgery to relieve the pressure from the buildup of blood and to repair any damaged blood vessels.

Long-term treatments and physical therapy are common, but depend on the hemorrhage location and the degree of damage.

Various treatments include physical, speech, and occupational therapy. It is almost guaranteed that patients that have suffered from a Xarelto intracranial bleed will have some level of permanent disability.

Filing a Xarelto Lawsuit

The blood thinner Xarelto has been prescribed to millions of people to prevent the dangerous blood clots that cause strokes.  However, the drug is reportedly linked to devastating side effects, including a damaging or fatal Xarelto intracranial bleed.

Xarelto blocks thrombin, which is the chemical in your blood that clots blood. The blocking of thrombin prevents clots from forming in patients that are at risk, such as patients who have joint surgery.

Bayer and Johnson & Johnson advertise Xarelto as a safe drug that is more convenient than warfarin. But it also can cause fatal side effects, such as intracranial bleeding or hemorrhage.

If you suffered a life-threatening intracranial bleed or your loved one died as a result of Xarelto internal bleeding complications, you may be entitled to compensation.  An experienced Xarelto attorney can assess your case at no cost and help you determine if filing a Xarelto lawsuit is right for you.

The Xarelto Intracranial Bleed Lawsuit joins the larger multidistrict litigation In Re: Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2592 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.