Pradaxa Injury
DISCLAIMER: Please consult with your doctor before making any changes to your use of any FDA-approved drug or device.
Pradaxa’s Side Effects: What is it, and why should I be concerned?
Pradaxa (dabigatran etexilate) is “a prescription blood-thinning medicine used to reduce the risk of stroke and blood clots in people with atrial fibrillation (AFib) not caused by a heart valve problem.” The sales of this drug were over 1 billion in 2011.
On December 7, 2011 the FDA released a drug safety communication stating, “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is evaluating post-marketing reports of serious bleeding events in patients taking Pradaxa (dabigatran etexilate mesylate).”
Why is Pradaxa more dangerous than other drugs like warfarin?
Before Pradaxa was cleared by the FDA, Coumadin was the one of the major drugs used to reduce the chance of stroke or blood clots in patients with atrial fibrillation. A May 2012 article in the Journal of Neurosurgery highlights the dangers of Pradaxa:
“To date, no effective reversal agent for dabigatran in the event of catastrophic hemorrhage has been identified. The authors report a case of an elderly patient, being treated with dabigatran for atrial fibrillation, who presented with a rapidly expanding intracranial hemorrhage after a ground-level fall. This case highlights an impending neurosurgical quandary of complications secondary to this new anticoagulation agent and suggests potential options for management.”
In essence, there does not appear to be a method to stop the bleeding from patients using Pradaxa as there is in warfarin.
What should I do if I think I have a Pradaxa claim?
On account of large number of people who have filed claims for internal bleeding injuries or even death the cases have been consolidated in a court in Illinois. If you or someone you love has suffered Pradaxa’s side effects below, contact a Hensley Legal Group Pradaxa attorney by calling (317)472-3333.
Pradaxa Side Effects I Should Watch For:
- Coughing up blood
- Blood in the urine
- Bleeding in the brain
- Bleeding in the intestines
- Bleeding in the kidneys
DISCLAIMER: Please consult with your doctor before making any changes to your use of any FDA-approved drug or device.