Severe Bleeding Side Effects Forces Halt to Pradaxa Use
By Andrea Gressman
A recent clinical trial of 6,000 patients who used the anticoagulant drug Pradaxa over an average span of 20 months showed a severe adverse bleeding side effect to occur. Pradaxa is currently one of the leading blood-thinning drugs used to prevent strokes and blood clots in people with atrial fibrillation. However, as this study revealed, the side effects that Pradaxa causes leave many to wonder if the benefits truly outweigh the risks. These Pradaxa side effects were so severe that approximately 20% of the participants had to cease their use of the drug, 150 mg twice a day, completely to avoid the side effects. The clinical trial stated the occurrence were “bleeding and gastrointestinal events.”
Although Internal Bleeding is Common with Similar Drugs to Pradaxa, the Lack of Antidote Becomes the Real Issue
It has been made common knowledge that Pradaxa, and other drugs like it, do cause internal bleeding as a side effect. However, what is most alarming is that there is no antidote to treat Pradaxa’s internal bleeding side effects like the other drugs similar to Pradaxa that are available. So, this means that out of the 20% of all the users in the study that developed the internal bleeding that there was no way of treating them effectively without risky and often times unsuccessful treatment options.
New Medication Guide Issued for Pradaxa Side Effects
As a result of the study, a revised Medication Guide was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May of 2012 which stated: “Pradaxa can cause bleeding which can be serious, and sometimes lead to death. This is because Pradaxa is a blood thinner medicine that lowers the chance of blood clots forming in your body.”
With a ratio of 1 in 5 patients forced to cease the use of Pradaxa it is no wonder that the Pradaxa lawsuits against the drug’s manufacturer, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., have been on the rise. The Pradaxa lawsuits have followed the announcement of the results of the clinical trial. Between the possibly fatal extent of the bleeding events and the pain and suffering of those who survive the hemorrhaging, the range of adverse side effects can be sweeping.
Number of Deaths in the US Caused by Pradaxa Unknown – But in the 100’s Worldwide
While no hard death numbers are yet confirmed in the United States for Pradaxa related side effects, there are up to 260 alleged fatalities around the world with many more affected by internal bleeding. As the warnings become better known in the United States, it is expected that more reports of alleged fatalities and sufferings will surface in the United States.
Pradaxa Bleeding Side Effects Frequently Experienced
Some of the Pradaxa side effects that are frequently experienced by patients include:
* Severe and uncontrollable intestinal bleeding
* Gastrointestinal bleeding
* Brain hemorrhage
* Kidney bleeding
* Internal bleeding
* Heart attack
* And even death
Pradaxa lawsuit lawyers are already threatening additional Pradaxa lawsuits to try and recoup for the potential wrongful deaths of some patients as well as for the medical costs and punitive damages as a result of Pradaxa’s adverse side effects. Visit the Pradaxa Internal Bleeding Class Action Lawsuit Investigation page today to speak with a qualified Pradaxa lawsuit attorney and learn about your legal rights.
Updated December 3rd, 2012
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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