Xarelto, a relatively new prescription blood thinner, was first approved by the FDA in 2011 for patients who were at risk of developing blood clots as a result of knee or hip replacement surgeries. The marketers of the anticoagulant, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, aggressively marketed the drug as a “one-size-fits-all” drug. Given that, doctors readily prescribed the drug because it didn’t require them to monitor their patients as much as other traditional anticoagulants required. Recently, however, several studies have criticized Xarelto for the various dangerous side effects that patients have developed after taking the drug.
One such study, published by the British Medical Journal, suggests that using Xarelto may double the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding compared to the traditional anticoagulant, warfarin. The researchers of this study monitored more than 45,000 patients with the goal of comparing the side effects that develop from taking rivaroxaban (the generic version of Xarelto) and warfarin. Other studies have also suggested that patients who have taken or are taking Xarelto are at a higher risk of internal bleeding. Furthermore, unlike warfarin, Xarelto does not yet have an antidote, meaning that patients who experience internal bleeding must get medical treatment immediately.
Legal Commentary
Xarelto attorneys within our firm are studying, examining and investigating current Xarelto claims on behalf of people and their families who may have been injured by the drug. Some of the side effects include hemorrhaging, internal bleeding, stroke and or death. If you or a loved one has experienced any side effects while taking Xarelto, contact our Xarelto lawyers to discuss the facts of your potential case. We are available by phone for a free consultation at 1.866.705.7584 or by email at mn@fnlawfirm.com.