Q: What is the prescription drug Pradaxa and why is it prescribed?
A: Pradaxa is an anticoagulant that blocks chemicals in the body from causing blood to coagulate. The drug is prescribed to prevent stoke in patients with atrial fibrillation, and to treat deep vein thrombosis (blood clots deep within the body), and pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lungs. It is often prescribed as an alternative to warfarin, a blood thinner that has been around since the 1950s.
Q: What are the side effects of Pradaxa?
A: The most serious side effects of Pradaxa include life-threatening internal bleeds, including gastrointestinal bleeding, brain bleeding, and severe rectal bleeding. Other side effects include:
- Unusual/easy bruising
- Easy/continuous bleeding
- Pink or brown urine
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Frequent nose bleeds
- Bleeding gums
- Coughing up blood
- Swelling or joint pain
Q: Why did my doctor prescribe me Pradaxa if it has these side effects?
A: Pradaxa is an alternative to the anticoagulant warfarin, which is known to react with many commonly used medications, calls for regular blood testing and requires a special diet. This makes Pradaxa seem like a safer and more convenient choice.
Q: Is there a way to reverse the effects of Pradaxa?
A: No. Although Pradaxa has been marketed as a safer and more convenient alternative to warfarin, there is no approved reversal agent in the event an uncontrolled internal bleed occurs.
Q: Has any legal action been taken against Pradaxa based on these findings?
A: Yes. In fact, in May of 2014, as Boehringer, the drug manufacturer, faced the start of trials over Pradaxa and its association with increased risk of internal bleeding, they ended up settling for approximately $650 million in all pending cases.
While that initial litigation is now closed, many lawyers have now begun a new round of Pradaxa lawsuits for those not included in the first settlement.
Q: How do I know if I have a viable case in the Pradaxa lawsuit?
A: If you or someone you know has suffered uncontrolled bleeding while taking Pradaxa that has resulted in a serious medical condition or fatality, you may have a case for joining in the litigation.
Q: How long do I have to file a Pradaxa lawsuit?
A: Every state has maximum time limitations on when an injury claim must be filed. These time restrictions are known as statutes of limitations. If a claim is not filed against the manufacturer before the statute of limitation expires, the injured persons are forever prevented from bringing a claim against the entities and persons who may be liable for their injuries.
If you have been potentially injured by the use of Pradaxa, your statute of limitations may already have expired, or may expire in the very near future. Unfortunately, there is no way for us to tell you without us first reviewing the individual facts of your situation.
Q: What should I do if I want to pursue legal action?
A: If you believe you have suffered a severe bleed or other serious medical problem resulting from the use of Pradaxa, first see a doctor immediately. You should also report the incident to your physician and the FDA.