Many patients are prescribed blood thinners after they are diagnosed with blood clots or after a heart attack or stroke. However, blood thinners have potential side effects that can be dangerous. If you are taking Pradaxa, Xarelto, or another blood thinner, you need to discuss the potential side effects with your doctor so that you know what to look for and what to do if you experience adverse side effects from blood thinners.
Why are Blood Thinners Prescribed to Patients?
Doctors prescribe blood thinners to patients for a variety of reasons. Blood thinners are used for patients who have had a heart valve replacement or who have certain blood vessel or heart diseases. A doctor may also prescribe a blood thinner to patients with congenital heart defects or abnormal heart rhythm. In some cases, blood thinners are used to prevent blood clots after surgery.
When taking blood thinners, patients need to understand the risks and side effects of these medications. Excessive bleeding and other adverse health conditions have been reported with drugs like Pradaxa and Xarelto. Patients should talk to their doctors to ensure they are informed about the benefits and risks of blood thinners in addition to the signs of excessive bleeding or other adverse health conditions.
Anticoagulants Cause Adverse Events and Hospital Stays
A recent report by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) named anticoagulants as the prescription drug that was most likely to result in emergency room visits. Almost one-half (48.8%) of the anticoagulant adverse events required patients to stay in the hospital. The ISMP analyzed data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regarding adverse events reported from the use of anticoagulants like Pradaxa and Xarelto.
The ISMP concluded there were roughly 22,000 severe injuries and more than 3,000 deaths related to blood thinners in 2016. However, the CDC estimates that the number of patients injured by blood thinners is much higher because the reports analyzed are voluntary reports. The CDC estimates the actual number of patients that are injured by blood thinners could be as high as ten times the number of voluntary reports or almost a quarter of a million people.
Blood Thinner Lawsuits
Pradaxa lawsuits and Xarelto lawsuits have been filed alleging various causes of action against the drug makers for injuries and deaths associated with the use of blood thinners. Potentially deadly flaws, including no effective means of treating some cases of excessive bleeding, were ignored by drug manufacturers. Patients and families are suing the drug maker for damages. Our nationwide defective drug attorneys can provide more information about the status of the lawsuits and how you can file a claim during a free case review.
If you believe a defective drug has injured you, call Attorney Fred Olinde of The Olinde Firm at (504) 587-1440 or 1-800-587-1889 to request a free consultation with a nationwide pharmaceutical lawsuit attorney.
Drug manufacturers must be held accountable and liable when they produce and market unsafe drugs to consumers in the United States. Our dangerous drug attorneys assist clients throughout the country file claims when they are injured after taking prescription medications that were marketed as safe and effective.