In a boost to claims by Xarelto lawsuit plaintiffs, two recent studies have confirmed close association between the blood thinner and bleeding injuries. The new-generation anticoagulant was approved by the FDA in 2011. However, it has been blamed for over 500 deaths and more than 4,500 hospitalizations in the last four years. Nearly 1,500 victims of gastrointestinal, cerebral, and other types of irreversible bleeding have sought product liability by filing a Xarelto lawsuit against manufacturers Bayer and Janssen, a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary.
Study Links Xarelto to Eye Bleeding
A study published in the JAMA Ophthalmology journal in June 2015 claims that Xarelto adverse events may lead to eye bleeding. Researchers from Los Angeles-based Keck School of Medicine Eye Institute discovered that “the risk of hemorrhage may be particularly elevated during the transition period when patients are switched from baseline anticoagulant to rivaroxaban (generic name of Xarelto) and are taking both anticoagulants simultaneously.”
The study also alleged that at least three users reported spontaneous vitreous hemorrhage following treatment with Xarelto blood thinner. Previous studies had cited that though anticoagulants were not directly responsible for causing eye bleeding, these drugs might increase bleeding due to other pathology. But the recent study discovered occurrence of “bleeding between the lens and retina of the eye.”
Xarelto May Cause Stomach Bleeding
An April 2015 report in the British Medical Journal highlighted the risk of stomach bleeding due to Xarelto blood thinner side effects. This finding based on comparative safety data analysis reinforces claims of hundreds of Xarelto lawsuits alleging gastrointestinal hemorrhage.
Researchers analyzed case studies of 46,000 patients – 39,607 treated with warfarin, 1,649 prescribed Xarelto, and others given Pradaxa – treated with blood thinners between October 1, 2010 and March 31, 2012. Pradaxa is already in the thick of litigation due to its bleeding side effects and fatal injuries. Its manufacturer paid $650 million to settle about 4,000 claims.
The study pointed “as much as a 50% increase in the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding with dabigatran (Pradaxa) compared with warfarin or a more than twofold higher risk of bleeding with rivaroxaban (Xarelto) compared with warfarin.” Until now the makers of Xarelto blood thinner were claiming that their product was safe and without any bleeding effect. But the findings proved otherwise lending credence to claim of hundreds of patients who had fatal and non-fatal stomach bleeding following the drug therapy.
Bleeding Side Effect Claims
Xarelto was approved in 2011 and its popularity is primarily driven by the manufacturer claim that the drug is more convenient and patients need not be monitored for potential bleeding effects. If post-marketing surveys and consumer complaints are to be believed, the blood thinner has proved to be more dangerous than warfarin. Patients above 65 years of age are found to have suffered maximum due to Xarelto bleeding side effects. A 2015 Japanese study claims that 29 of 46 patients treated with the blood thinner are reported for heightened bleeding risks.
If you have a potential Xarelto injury lawsuit related to the blood thinner side effects and arising out of “negligence, concealing of information, misrepresentation, and false advertisement by the manufacturer”, please contact us or call on 1-800-632-1404 for a free consultation with our experienced Xarelto attorney.