Bayer HealthCare and Johnson & Johnson are facing growing multidistrict litigation (MDL), which consists of claims alleging serious Xarelto bleeding problems.

A woman from Florida recently filed a blood thinner medication lawsuit alleging Xarelto failed in its treatment purpose and is joining the continuous legal battle.

Plaintiff Vivian B. says she was prescribed Xarelto for typical treatment purposes on Dec. 17, 2015, and had used it according to prescription instruction until she suffered a potentially fatal blood clot attack.

According to the blood thinner medication lawsuit, Vivian suffered a pulmonary embolism on Jan. 31, 2017 and had to be hospitalized until Feb. 6, 2017.

The Xarelto claim alleges the new generation anticoagulant caused Vivian long term injuries, which ultimately compounded her medical condition.

Vivian opted to file legal action after discovering numerous other patients suffered potentially fatal internal bleeding events, which she argues were made possibly by Xarelto’s treatment mechanism.

Overview of Xarelto Bleeding Complications

Xarelto was approved by the FDA in 2011 and was released as a joint effort between Bayer and Johnson & Johnson to allow the drug companies to enter the lucrative anticoagulant market. This medication was released just one year after Pradaxa, the first medication to be released for blood thinning treatment purposes since warfarin in the 1950s.

In contrast to its predecessor, Xarelto and other new generation anticoagulants could be prescribed in a single dose and, according to the drug manufacturers, does not require frequent adjustments by doctors. However, Xarelto did not have an approved reversal agent for years.

According to WebMD, Xarelto works by shutting down the body’s clotting mechanism and allows for easier circulation. This makes Xarelto a good choice for patients suffering from atrial fibrillation or who are at high risk for stroke.

However, Xarelto also inhibits the body from stopping minor internal bleeding incidents, potentially leading to serious events that can quickly become fatal. It was not until recently that a reversal agent, AndexXa, was approved. AndexXa reverses uncontrollable internal bleeding incidents for Eliquis and Savaysa, as well as Xarelto.

In 2013, the FDA reportedly received 700 Xarelto injury reports during the first three months of 2013, some of which involved patient deaths. This spurred the FDA to require the pharmaceutical companies to add a black box warning to the drug’s label. Xarelto and other anticoagulant patients are advised to be vigilant for any signs of internal bleeding including:

• Fatigue
• Bloody Stool
• Easy Bruising
• Pale Skin
• Swelling in Stomach Area
• “Stroke-Like” Symptoms

Anticoagulant patients who experience any of these symptoms should report to their doctor or emergency room immediately. Even though Xarelto could potentially cause potentially fatal internal bleeding in patients, Bayer and Johnson & Johnson allegedly failed to disclose this information to the public.

At all times relevant, Vivian says she and her physician had been relying on the marketing materials and product information and had no reason to believe she was at risk for any serious side effects. Vivian’s blood thinner medication lawsuit is joining MDL No. 2592, where it will be streamlined through the litigation process.

This Xarelto Lawsuit is Case No. 2:19-cv-02110-EEF-MBN, in the U.S. District Court of Eastern Louisiana.