Despite a growing number of Xarelto lawsuits being filed against Johnson & Johnson and Bayer Healthcare over uncontrollable bleeding complications allegedly linked to the anticoagulant, the drug makers still plan to move forward with attempts to obtain additional indications for the controversial blood thinner. If you took the anticoagulant Xarelto, and you have since suffered a bleeding event or another serious complication, contact a knowledgeable Xarelto attorney today for legal help. With a qualified Xarelto lawyer on your side, you can protect your legal rights and seek fair and timely reimbursement for your injuries, medical expenses, and pain and suffering.
Xarelto (rivaroxaban) has been on the market in the United States since 2011, and belongs to a class of anticoagulant drugs known as direct thrombin inhibitors, which are designed to reduce the risk of blood clots and strokes in patients. However, serious concerns have been raised recently about the potential risk of bleeding complications among Xarelto users, given the lack of an approved antidote that doctors can use to reverse the blood thinning effects of the drug in the event of a hemorrhage. In fact, a number of reports have been issued to federal regulators recently involving severe or fatal injuries occurring when doctors were unable to stop bleeding among Xarelto users.
In spite of these concerns about Xarelto bleeding side effects, Johnson & Johnson and Bayer announced recently that they still plan to seek expanded FDA approvals that would allow them to promote the blood thinner among a wider population of consumers, including patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Last month, the drug companies, which jointly manufacture and sell the blood thinner, announced three new clinical trials designed to provide evidence that Xarelto can be used to combat ACS and other problems. However, the FDA previously rejected three attempts to obtain additional indications for Xarelto, voicing concerns over the risk of bleeding complications linked to Xarelto and similar medications, like Pradaxa.
Since its introduction three years ago, Xarelto has been aggressively promoted by its makers as a superior alternative to warfarin, the go-to anticoagulant drug that has been on the market for decades. The drug manufacturers claim that Xarelto is easier to use because it requires less patient monitoring during treatment. However, unlike Xarelto, warfarin has an approved antidote that can be used to quickly reverse the effects of the medication should a bleeding or hemorrhage event occur. Although J&J and Bayer announced last year that they were working to develop a reversal agent for Xarelto, it appears the drug makers plan to move forward with attempts to expand its use, even without an approved antidote.
As more information comes to light about the risk of Xarelto bleeding complications, a growing number of Xarelto lawsuits have been filed against Johnson & Johnson and Bayer, on behalf of affected individuals throughout the country. If you believe you have been adversely affected by bleeding side effects of Xarelto, our consumer advocates at the Consumer Justice Foundation can help. We are committed to protecting the rights of consumers harmed by dangerous or defective medications, and can help put you in touch with a product liability lawyer who has experience handling Xarelto bleeding claims.
