Johnson & Johnson and other drug makers have been hit with thousands of lawsuits over the alleged injuries plaintiffs suffered after taking Xarelto. According to the lawsuits, Xarelto dangers include severe bleeding, internal bleeding, hospitalization and even death. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration received reports linking Xarelto to at least 370 deaths after it was approved for use in 2011. Drug makers now face more than 18,000 lawsuits over alleged dangers.
Xarelto is meant to prevent the risk of stroke in patients undergoing hip and/or knee surgery or for other reasons. It is marketed as a replacement for Coumadin, also known as warfarin, a blood thinner that has been in use since the 1960s. Drug makers touted the “Xarelto Difference,” including single daily dosing and no need to conduct blood monitoring.
However, allege plaintiffs in lawsuits against those drug makers, Xarelto dangers are amplified by the lack of an antidote for severe bleeding caused by the drug. There is an antidote for bleeding caused by warfarin, they say.
Lawsuits over Xarelto dangers also allege that the studies drug makers used to obtain FDA approval for the drug actually show that it is safer and more effective if taken more than once a day and with blood monitoring.
Xarelto was a top-selling drug for Johnson & Johnson, Bayer, and Janssen, all major pharmaceutical companies. It generated $3.24 billion in 2016 and $2.5 billion in 2015 alone.
Drug companies contend that they adequately warned patients and doctors about dangers. Further, they say that FDA approval of the drug was based on sound science; however, nearly 20,000 plaintiffs say they were harmed by Xarelto dangers and contend that they and their doctors were not warned of the risks of bleeding.
Xarelto Dangers
Xarelto has been linked to a number of dangers, including internal, gastrointestinal, and rectal bleeding, as well as hemorrhages, bleeding problems, and even death.
The drug works by preventing the production of Vitamin K. Plaintiffs say that this is a particular problem because severe bleeding caused by Xarelto cannot be halted, while bleeding caused by older blood thinners, like warfarin, can be stopped.
Other dangers include headaches and dizziness, as well as itching, numbness, burning and tingling sensations. Patients also report muscle spasms, weakness, and swallowing problems.
Lawsuits filed against the manufacturers allege that patients and doctors were not warned about the severe risks presented by the drug. Further, say the plaintiffs, drug makers misconstrued and even discarded evidence of the severe risks of Xarelto to obtain FDA approval of the drug.
Thousands of plaintiffs allege that they and their loved ones suffered injuries resulting in additional medical care, lost earnings, and physical and emotional trauma after taking Xarelto.
If you or a loved one have suffered from Xarelto dangers, contact the attorneys at McDonald Worley to evaluate your claim.