Xarelto Bleeding Risks Not Adequately Disclosed

By Harvey Kirk
Posted July 2, 2014

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In an effort to maximize profits from their new generation blood thinner Xarelto, Johnson & Johnson and Bayer appear to have caused thousands of unnecessary injuries and death by downplaying the risk of uncontrollable bleeding on Xarelto and the lack of an effective reversal agent.

Potential Xarelto bleeding lawsuits are now being pursued on behalf of individuals throughout the United States who have suffered more severe, and often fatal, injury as a result of doctors’ inability to control hemorrhages.

Like all blood thinners, Xarelto warnings do indicate that the anticoagulant effects may increase the risk of bleeding events. However, the warnings are insufficient, as they are not placed prominently in a “black box”, fail to disclose the more serious outcomes associated with the Xarelto bleeds and obscured information about the lack of an antidote or method to quickly allow doctors to reverse the blood thinning effects of the medication and stop bleeds in the case of an emergency.

Xarelto (rivaroxoaban) was introduced in 2011, as a joint product developed by Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Pharmaceuticals subsidiary and Bayer Health Care. It is part of a new class of medications that have been aggressively promoted as superior to warfarin (Coumadin), because it is easier to use and requires less frequent monitoring.

In an effort to gain a market advantage, it appears that Bayer and Johnson & Johnson placed their desire for profits before consumer safety by withholding information about the Xarelto risks, likely fearing that doctors may be less inclined to switch to the newer anticoagulant if they may be left helpless and unable to stop bleeding that may develop.

Unlike warfarin, which can quickly be reversed when a hemorrhage or bleed develops, there was no approved antidote for Xarelto when it was released and the drug makers failed to properly highlight this fact.

While Bayer and Johnson & Johnson are now working to develop an Xarelto reversal agent, it appears that they may have rushed the drug to market, failing to test for all possible antidotes prior to encouraging doctors to prescribe the medication.

Some of the Xarelto bleeding deaths and injuries may have been avoided if the drug makers had been upfront and honest about the risk of uncontrollable bleeding. Many former patients now indicate that they would not have used Xarelto if they had known there was a possibility that they could bleed to death with doctors unable to help them.

Xarelto Lawsuits

The product liability lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. provide free consultations and claim evaluations for individuals and families nationwide who may have a case as a result of the drug makers’ failure to disclose the Xarelto bleeding risks.

Potential lawsuits are being reviewed for individuals who have suffered Xarelto gastrointestonal bleedings, brain hemorrhaging or other bleeds, including a hemorrhagic stroke on Xarelto. In cases where individuals died as a result of the bleeds, families may be entitled to compensation through an Xarelto wrongful death lawsuit.

To review a potential claim for yourself, a friend or family member, contact our law firm today. All Xarelto cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no out-of-pocket expenses and our lawyers do not collect a fee unless a recovery is obtained through a court verdict or settlement agreement.