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Xarelto is a blood thinner which was released in 2011 by Bayer Healthcare and Janssen Pharmaceuticals. It is prescribed to reduce the risk of blood clots and stroke in certain medical situations. It has unfortunately been linked to serious and deadly side effects.
If you are a patient who has experienced harmful side effects from Xarelto, it’s possible you may have the legal right to seek financial compensation for any injuries you have experienced. Thousands of lawsuits have been filed against the makers of Xarelto due to its potential for severe side effects and legal controversies. If you are a relative of a loved one who passed away due to Xarelto side effects, you may have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the pharmaceutical company or additional responsible party.
Contact us here to learn if you are eligible to file a lawsuit.
What Is Xarelto?
Xarelto (rivaroxaban) is a blood-thinning medication. It’s an oral medication that doesn’t require monitoring. It is currently FDA approved for the prevention of blood clots in certain people, but is not specifically approved for the treatment of blood clots. Bleeding is the most common side effect and the effects of this drug cannot be easily reversed.
Xarelto belongs to a class of anticoagulants. These are referred to as blood thinners and they sometimes interfere with the normal clotting of the blood. Clotting is necessary if a person is to stop bleeding due to an open wound, however, some people experience clotting although they are not injured. If the clots travel to the brain, it can cause a stroke. Blood clots that develop in the legs (DVT: deep vein thrombosis) and pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lungs) can cause significant complications and/or death if left untreated.
What Are the Side Effects of Xarelto?
There are some side effects that have been linked to this medication. They may be life-threatening in some situations and may require emergency medical care, hospitalization and continuous treatment. Some side effects include back pain, bleeding gums, bloody stools, bowel or bladder dysfunction, burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, “pins and needles”, or tingling feelings. Others include coughing up blood, difficulty with breathing or swallowing, dizziness, headache, increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding, leg weakness, nosebleeds, numbness, paralysis, prolonged bleeding from cuts, red or black, tarry stools, red or dark brown urine and vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds. Common complications linked to Xarelto use include severe internal bleeding, strokes, uncontrolled bleeding, and death.
Bleeding and Other Risks Associated with Xarelto
Bleeding is one of the most vital side effects linked to this medication. Because it’s an anticoagulant, it interferes with the blood’s natural clotting ability. Xarelto is used to treat clotting disorders that could increase the risk of stroke, pulmonary embolism or other potentially fatal conditions. However, in some cases, the medication could do more damage than good.
Legal disputes and settlements related to Xarelto often focus on the drug’s bleeding risks, particularly the potential for uncontrollable and irreversible bleeding that can result in severe injuries or death. The drug’s dangers are further highlighted by reports of adverse events and deaths associated with Xarelto, with critics noting that the drug makers have failed to update warnings or recall the medication despite significant evidence of its risks. While on this medication, you may be more likely to bruise and it may take longer for you to stop bleeding if injured.
Additionally, while on this medication, there is the potential risk for those patients who have medicine injected into their spinal and epidural area or have spinal puncture, have a risk of forming a blood clot that can cause long-term or permanent loss of the ability to move (paralysis).
Xarelto can also lead to complications that make recovery from surgeries, such as knee and hip replacements, more difficult and time-consuming.
Warnings for Xarelto Users
If you have been taking this medication and are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned, seek immediate medical attention. If experience with the side effects occur and the patient suspects they were caused by a prescription or over-the-counter medicine, they or their doctors may report the events to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These events are recorded into a special software program for analyses. It is used to provide detailed information about side effects experienced by patients across the United States. There have been several reports involving Xarelto, with many listing the drug as the primary suspect for an adverse event.
How a Medication Error Attorney Can Help You Seek Justice
Patients taking Xarelto should be aware of the risks and ensure that their doctors require monitoring and follow safe medication practices. Anyone who has suffered injuries or lost a loved one due to Xarelto can hold drug manufacturers accountable through a Xarelto lawsuit and recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
If you have lost a loved one to excessive bleeding or any other effects from Xarelto or have experienced any of the side effects yourself, a medication error lawyer at Shelsby & Leoni may be able to help you. We represent Xarelto patients in Xarelto lawsuits in Delaware and Maryland.
