Experts Warn Pradaxa Patients They’re Not Taking it Right
By Jessica Tyner
According to a recent study published in the British Medical Journal, many patients aren’t taking Pradaxa correctly. Whose fault is this? Maybe the patients aren’t following their doctor’s orders, maybe doctors are failing to prescribe Pradaxa to the right patients, or maybe there’s a miscommunication between pharmacists and patients. No matter who’s to blame, the fact remains that people are dying from Pradaxa-related injuries. The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) estimates that Pradaxa patients are five times more likely to die than those on other blood thinners.
Pradaxa has only been on the market since 2010, and was initially touted as a great alternative to Coumadin, another popular blood thinner. Pradaxa is effective at helping to prevent strokes, but it also comes with alarming statistics related to its side effects. Not only does the ISMP provide shocking death rates for Pradaxa use, but it also calls it one of the most dangerous drugs available. Many are calling for the makers of Pradaxa to include clear warnings of potential bleeding risks and instructions on the packaging.
Hundreds of Pradaxa Internal Bleeding Victims
As of the summer of 2013, over 700 Pradaxa bleeding victims have filed a lawsuit in the U.S. However, that doesn’t take into account possibly hundreds more who haven’t stepped up to the plate yet. With such high death rates, it’s often the victim’s family members and loved ones who have to wage a legal battle. Burial costs, lingering medical bills and of course compensation for pain and suffering aren’t automatic. Many of the grieving family members of Pradaxa bleeding victims may not have the time or energy to file a Pradaxa lawsuit.
The influx of Pradaxa lawsuits has led to a consolidation of the cases in multidistrict litigation (MDL). Consolidating cases means faster and easier trials and judgments or settlements. People also don’t have to worry about mounting legal bills on top of medical payments. It’s a sliver of silver lining after a horrible nightmare.
The Pradaxa Approach
Like other blood thinners, Pradaxa is supposed to prevent blood clots from forming. However, getting blood the right consistency is challenging — and sometimes Pradaxa works all too well. Pradaxa specifically blocks thrombin, a protein found in blood, in an effort to keep the blood thin. Some strokes are caused by a certain type of heart arrhythmia, and that’s what Pradaxa was designed to prevent.
However, massive internal bleeding is a real threat for Pradaxa users that injure themselves after a fall. Once internal bleeding starts, there is no antidote for it, unlike for internal bleeding caused by Coumadin. Unfortunately, most people don’t understand their 500 percent increased risk of internal bleeding when starting Pradaxa.
Have You Taken Pradaxa and Experienced Bleeding?
If you’ve taken Pradaxa and experienced problems with bleeding, you possibly have a Pradaxa legal claim. If your loved one took Pradaxa and died from internal bleeding, you may also qualify.
Find our more by visiting the Pradaxa Internal Bleeding Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. You’ll be able to submit your information, and a lawyer will contact you to further discuss your free Pradaxa claim review if you qualify.
Updated June 5th, 2013
All medical device, dangerous drug and medical class action and lawsuit news updates are listed in the Drug and Medical Device section of Top Class Actions.
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