Another Xarelto lawsuit joins the pending multidistrict litigation against the drug’s manufacturers, alleging that they failed to provide adequate warnings that the new-generation blood thinner Xarelto places users at an increased risk for developing life threatening internal bleeding.

A Wisconsin resident has filed a Xarelto lawsuit against Bayer Healthcare, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and other drug manufacturers alleging these companies failed to warn patients or provide adequate information to physicians about the risks of uncontrollable bleeding associated with Xarelto, as well as failing to provide adequate information on how to intervene and stabilize a patient should Xarelto bleeding occur.

According to the Xarelto lawsuit, plaintiff Winifred B. was prescribed Xarelto in October 2012 to treat stroke prophylaxis. She used it as directed by her physician until approximately May 2013, when she experienced a life-threatening, irreversible bleed for which she was hospitalized twice and given blood transfusions. Winifred further alleges that the defendants failed to provide adequate warnings about the true safety risks associated with Xarelto, and failed to disclose that there are no means to reverse Xarelto bleeding.

Winifred is seeking compensatory, economic, and punitive damages for the drug companies’ alleged fraudulent and reckless disregard for her safety and welfare. The filed complaint indicates a demand for a jury trial.

What is Xarelto?

Xarelto is an anticoagulant (blood thinner) manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals. It has been widely prescribed to prevent blood clots in patients suffering from atrial fibrillation (arrhythmia of the heart), deep vein thrombosis (blood clots deep within the body), pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lungs), and stroke. Patients who have recently undergone a knee or hip replacement surgery may also be prescribed this anticoagulant.

Physicians generally prescribe Xarelto as an alternative to Warfarin (Coumadin), a blood thinner that has been on the market since 1954.

Xarelto Lawsuits

While unintended bleeding is a common complication associated with anticoagulants, Xarelto plaintiffs have alleged that the drug is more dangerous than traditional blood thinners because no antidote exists to reverse its blood-thinning effects. This means that in the event of an emergency, patients may be at risk for life-threatening internal and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Pharmaceutical companies, including the makers of Xarelto, have a duty to ensure that their drugs are reasonably safe for use. Failure to do so may be grounds for a lawsuit. If you or a loved one suffered a serious bleeding event after taking Xarelto, you may have legal recourse.

The Xarelto Lawsuit is Case No. 2:15-cv-01447-EEF-MBN and the Xarelto MDL is In Re: Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2592, both in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.