Blood Thinning Medication Pradaxa Linked to Fatal Bleeding in Patients
The German manufacturers of the relatively new blood thinning medication Pradaxa are facing significant legal trouble as claims against them are making their way into U.S. courts, according to Injuryboard.com. Pradaxa was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October of 2010, and between its approval in October and August of 2011, an estimated 1.1 million prescriptions were filled in the U.S., making it a very popular substitute for the widely used anticoagulant warfarin. However, the FDA issued new information about Pradaxa at the end of last year linking the drug to possibly fatal hemorrhaging, which quickly caught the attention of the thousands of patients using the medication.
Tennessee Pradaxa Blood Thinner Injury Pradaxa is a blood-thinning medication intended to help reduce the risk of stroke for patients who suffer from non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Now, as a number of bleeding incidents in patients have come to light, the safety of Pradaxa has been called into question. The use of the blood thinner carries its own risk, as even a minor scrape or injury can result in extreme hemorrhaging which may be uncontrollable. This was known by the FDA at the time of approval, but after the drug went on the market, there has been a higher rate of bleeding incidents than was expected by the organization. An investigation is currently being conducted as to why this might be the case.
Boehringer Ingelheim, the German maker of the drug, admits that after only one year of the medication is on the market, there have been 260 cases of fatal bleeding. As the Pradaxa investigation and litigation continues, the FDA is advising patients to speak with their physicians before stopping the use of the drug. Patients should also be aware of the possible symptoms that may indicate a bleeding problem, including frequent nosebleeds, coughing up blood, pink- or brown-colored urine, and uncontrollable bleeding.
Manufacturers of drugs have the ethical and legal responsibility to thoroughly test drugs for safety before they are put on the market for consumer use. Unfortunately, dangerous and potentially life-threatening side effects are often not discovered until it is too late. If you are a Tennessee resident who has suffered harm due to a medical drug, contact a product liability lawyer in Chattanooga with Massey & Associates, PC for assistance. We are dedicated to protecting the rights of injured patients and will hold any and all parties responsible for the harm caused. For a free case evaluation, call (423) 697-4529.
