A group of plaintiffs recently filed a new Xarelto lawsuit against the manufacturers and marketers of the popular blood thinning medication.

The Xarelto lawsuit alleges that the pharmaceutical manufacturer violated consumer protection laws and caused several consumers to suffer from internal bleeding, pulmonary hemorrhage, and even wrongful death.

The Xarelto lawsuit was filed by James B. and several others individually and on behalf of patients who are now deceased. The lawsuit names as defendants Janssen Research and Development, Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceuticals, and Bayer Pharmaceuticals.

According to the lawsuit, James took Xarelto between November 2013 and January 2015. James alleges that he suffered from severe anemia, gastrointestinal bleeding, and hematuria in November of 2013 and January of 2015. Although James survived the adverse side effects he experienced from taking Xarelto, several of the others involved in the lawsuit passed away due to alleged Xarelto side effects.

One of the unfortunate patients was Joann B. According to the Xarelto lawsuit, Joann began taking Xarelto in January of 2011 and continued taking the medication until she died of a pulmonary hemorrhage in May of 2013. The Xarelto lawsuit alleges that Joann died due to injuries she suffered as a result of taking Xarelto.

What is Xarelto?

Xarelto, generically known as rivaroxaban, is a popular anticoagulant often prescribed by medical professionals to help prevent blood clots from forming after surgery. Patients have also been prescribed Xarelto to help lower the risk of stroke and clots after being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.

Xarelto belongs to a family of blood thinners that works in a different way than older blood thinning medications. It works by preventing the formation of thrombin, which is an essential component of blood clotting. Xarelto is often advertised as a superior alternative to more traditional blood thinners like Warfarin, because Xarelto does not require the patient to follow a strict diet or undergo constant blood monitoring.

Unfortunately, unlike Warfarin, patients taking Xarelto do not have an FDA-approved antidote available to counteract the anticoagulant effect of the medication.

Internal bleeding and uncontrolled bleeding are a side effect of all blood thinning medications, but without an antidote to counteract the bleeding effects, adverse side effects can be even more dangerous and potentially fatal.

Xarelto Side Effects Lawsuits

Several adverse side effects including internal bleeding and pulmonary hemorrhage have been linked to taking Xarelto. Injured patients and loved ones have filed lawsuits against the pharmaceutical manufacturer alleging that the company failed to disclose the increased risks of developing these side effects in comparison to other more traditional blood thinners.

Patients who have experienced any of these adverse side effects while taking Xarelto may be able to bring a lawsuit against the manufacturer. Family members who have lost loved ones to the side effects may be eligible to bring a wrongful death lawsuit.

The Xarelto lawsuit referenced above is MDL No. 2592, filed in the United States District Court in the Eastern District of Louisiana.