Pradaxa Ranked Highest in Side Effects
By Andrea Gressman
Pradaxa is a popular blood-thinning drug. Unfortunately, it has also been linked to severe internal bleeding and is now considered to be ranked the highest for reported side effects of all the drugs on the market, according to the Institute for Safe Medication Practices. As a result, a number of Pradaxa lawsuits have been filed across the nation and several of these individual cases have now been consolidated into one large multidistrict litigation proceeding at the Federal level. This is a move that is expected to speed up resolution of the Plaintiffs’ complaints.
Pradaxa Lawsuit Background
Pradaxa is a relatively new blood-thinning product made by German pharmaceutical firm Boehringer Ingelheim. It launched in October 2010, and quickly became widely prescribed by doctors. By February 2012, more than $1 billion worth of the drug had been sold in the United States.
Patients are prescribed Pradaxa as a way to fight blood clots and strokes. It is most commonly used with cases of atrial fibrillation. However, within its first year of use, complaints started to come in from patients and medical providers that the drug was causing severe internal bleeding.
In December 2011, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a new investigation into the safety of Pradaxa. While a certain number of internal bleeding cases had been expected, the reports coming from the field indicated that the drug was causing more problems than had been anticipated.
In fact, later research analysis revealed that Pradaxa had outpaced all other medications in the number of reports of internal bleeding to the FDA. The higher than expected number of complaints was not unique to the U.S. market, either, as international data collection among Pradaxa users indicated that they were also experiencing high levels of bleeding complaints.
Pradaxa’s higher than expected number of side effects led to a large number of Pradaxa lawsuits complaining about the drug’s side effects filed in courts across the country. Plaintiffs alleged that Pradaxa was responsible for severe injuries, hospital complications, and even death.
These individual Pradaxa lawsuits are now being consolidated into one large multidistrict litigation (MDL) proceeding at the Federal level. The Pradaxa lawsuit MDL will be heard in the Southern District Court of Illinois by the Honorable Judge David Herndon. The Pradaxa MDL is known as In Re: Pradaxa Product Liability Litigation (MDL No. 2385).
Pradaxa’s manufacturer, Boehringer Ingelheim, had filed a motion to have the lawsuits in the Pradaxa MDL dismissed. However, Judge Herndon dismissed that motion on July 25, 2012. It is expected that by denying the motion for dismissal and moving the Pradaxa lawsuit cases to one central court, Plaintiffs will be able to have a faster resolution of their complaints. Plaintiffs are hoping for Pradaxa lawsuit settlements to cover their medical expenses incurred by the drug’s side effects.
If you or someone you know has taken Pradaxa and experienced internal bleeding, go to the Pradaxa Internal Bleeding Class Action Lawsuit page. Reach out to a Pradaxa attorney today. Know your rights as a patient and don’t miss the opportunity to have your case be a part of the consolidated liability hearings.
Updated August 28th, 2012
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