Dangerous Drugs and Devices

What Is Xarelto  Xarelto (rivaroxaban) is an oral prescription medication that is a blood thinner (anticoagulant) with a different mechanism of action from older drugs.  Blood thinners are used to prevent dangerous blood clots which can block the flow of blood to the important tissues and organs of the body.  Unlike older blood thinners, where doctors had to customize the dose of the drug for each patient, Xarelto is prescribed in one uniform dose because of its different mechanism of action

• The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the marketing of Xarelto for the following uses:
• Xarelto can be prescribed to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation
• Physicians can use Xarelto for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis

• Xarelto is approved in the treatment of pulmonary embolism
• For patients who have been treated for 6 months for deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism, Xarelto is

indicated for the reduction in the risk of recurrence for those conditions

• For patients undergoing knee or hip replacement surgery,  doctors can use Xarelto for the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis

Side Effects The FDA has concluded that Xarelto increases the risk of bleeding, which in some cases can lead to death.  This bleeding will continue as long as Xarelto is in the body.  If bleeding happens at or near a major organ such as the brain or kidneys, that loss of blood can result in a permanent loss of function. The side effect profile is one of the factors in the Xarelto lawsuit. When certain types of anesthesia is used, patients treated with Xarelto for prevention of thromboembolic events are at risk of developing a spinal hematoma which in some cases can result permanent paralysis. Xarelto should not be used in patients where the kidneys are not functioning fully because expected increase in Xarelto exposure and the increased risk of bleeding.  In pregnant women, Xarelto should only be considered if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk of increased bleeding to the mother and fetus.

No Antidote There is no known antidote for Xarelto.  In addition, when a problem arises the drug cannot be flushed out of the body through dialysis.  Many patients who have uncontrolled bleeding have to be up hospitalized, and that bleeding can be fatal.  That the drug maker released a drug before an antidote was available is another factor in the Xarelto lawsuit.

Drug Interactions Use of some drugs while taking Xarelto can cause an elevation of Xarelto in the blood stream which can cause an increase risk of bleeding.  Some of these drugs include: ketoconazole, ritonavir, clarithromycin, erythromycin and fluconazole.  In clinical studies with concomitant use, the increases in Xarelto exposure ranged from 30% to 160%.  On the other hand, drugs such as rifampicin and phenytoin can decrease Xarelto blood levels by up to 50%.  These decreases in blood levels of Xarelto may decrease efficacy. Concomitant use of Xarelto and anticoagulants, NSAIDS/aspirin may significantly increase the risk of internal bleeding. For patients with impaired renal function, concomitant use of drugs diltiazem, verapamil, dronedarone, and erythromycin) can have increased blood levels of Xarelto.  Significant increases in Xarelto blood levels may increase bleeding risk.

Xarelto Lawsuit Status

If you or a loved one has recently taken Xarelto and suffered from serious bleeding or even death, you could be entitled to compensation and justice.  Drew Brown at Myrtle Beach Injury Law is actively participating as counsel in the Xarelto lawsuit on behalf of patients in around the country who after using Xarelto experienced extensive  internal bleeding, stroke, or hemorrhage. The Xarelto lawsuit have been filed around the country against the maker of Xarelto by patients who suffered serious internal bleeding, and who sustained serious permanent injuries.  Many families of people who’s bleeding lead to death simply want to see justice served to those responsible. We believe that the makers of Xarelto, Bayer and Johnson & Johnson, knew of the increase risk of serious bleeding and then failed to properly warn physicians and consumers of these dangers and is therefore legally responsible for the medical bills, pain and suffering and lost wages of patients who developed internal bleeding as a result of taking Xarelto.

“Minimizing the risks associated with Xarelto”
In June of 2013, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) wrote Johnson & Johnson about Xarelto and informed the company that their “Promotional materials are false or misleading” and “misleadingly minimizes the risks associated with Xarelto…”

Holding the Manufacturers Accountable: Make the companies take responsibility for their actions by filing a Xarelto lawsuit!

Side effects of Xarelto may include, but are not limited to:
•    Internal Bleeding
•    Excessive Bleeding from Gums
•    Recurring Nose Bleeds
•    Heavy Menstrual Flow
•    Red, Pink or Brown Urine
•    Embolism
•    Hemorrhaging
•    Swelling Of The Lower Extremities
•    Blood Clots (Thrombosis)
•    Difficulty In Breathing

Contact Your Doctor
Have you have experienced any of these side effects while on Xarelto?  If so, it is vitally important that you contact your doctor immediately and tell them of your symptoms!  Please note: for any matter concerning your health, you should consult a doctor and not a lawyer.

Time May Be Running Out
Many legal matters are subject to “statute of limitations” or a time limit so it is advisable to contact a reputable attorney as soon as possible.  The Xarelto lawsuit is no different.

Don’t wait; you may be entitled to compensation for:
•    Loss Of Wages
•    Medical Expenses (past and future)
•    Pain & Suffering
•    Modifications To Your Home
•    Disability
•    Nursing Care

With such a large number of Xarelto lawsuits filed, the cases have recently been consolidated into a multidistrict Litigation (MDL) in federal court in the Eastern District of Louisiana.  The rational for a MDL is to simply process so many cases can be heard by one experienced judge and in one court.  We can handle your Xarelto lawsuit as it makes its way from your state to that court and back.