Xarelto Class Action Lawsuit

Xarelto Class Action Lawsuit

Lawsuits filed over Xarelto allege that manufacturers have been negligent in labeling of the product and that it does not adequately warn about the risks of injury. Claimants have also argued that the lack of an antidote to reverse excessive bleeding caused excessive risk to patients.

Xarelto (rivaroxaban) received approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2011. Xarelto has been used to reduce the risk of stroke, blood clots, pulmonary embolism (PE), and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Xarelto has been promoted as a “next generation” blood thinner that helps reduce the risk of developing blood clots. However, in some cases, it can cause severe or even deadly bleeding. Before May 2018, there was not an antidote that could stop the bleeding, even with doctor’s assistance.

These lawsuits have asserted that Xarelto was not more beneficial than other similar drugs, like warfarin, which have been used for decades. Some purport that Bayer intentionally concealed information about Xarelto’s potentially life-threatening bleeding.

What is Xarelto?

Xarelto is a drug designed to block the activity of certain clotting substances in blood. It’s specifically meant to treat a type of blood clot called deep vein thrombosis (DVT) which can result in blood clotting in organs such as the lungs. However, plaintiffs of the Xarelto lawsuit allege that the drug’s side effects can result in uncontrollable bleeding and since Xarelto does not have an antidote, like other blood-thinning drugs. This would result in continued, uncontrollable bleeding that could result in hemorrhages, strokes or even death.

What Are the Side Effects of Xarelto?

A significant risk carried by Xarelto is internal bleeding (hemorrhaging), like many other anticoagulant drugs. However, until recently. Xarelto did not have an antidote to stop excessive bleeding once detected. Additionally, regular blood monitoring tests were not required.

Patients using Xarelto and their family members have claimed the following serious side effects, even after using the drug as directed:

  • Excessive blood loss
  • Abdominal hemorrhages
  • Intracranial hemorrhages
  • Retinal hemorrhages
  • Epidural hematoma
  • Adrenal bleeding
  • Stroke
  • Death

Even during the clinical trial, some FDA scientists expressed misgivings with the test design and concluded that patients could be at a higher risk of stroke compared to traditional blood thinners. In one trial, patients taking Xarelto experienced more than twice the number of Strokes than the those given Warfarin.

Has There Been a Recall of Xarelto?

Xarelto has not been recalled. Despite the potential to cause harm, it is still being prescribed by some doctors. If you have been prescribed Xarelto or your doctor may prescribe this drug, discuss the potential risks of this drug. If possible, ask your doctor to prescribe an alternative drug that may not have similar risks involved.

What is the Precedent for These Cases?

One similar type of case is for another anticoagulant medication called Pradaxa. Like Xarelto, Pradaxa was marketed as superior to older generations of medicine and did not have an antidote to stop dangerous bleeding events.

The toll on patients included over 2000 hemorrhage reports, 600 strokes, 500 deaths.

In court, thousands of victims filed suit in a multidistrict litigation (MDL). In 2014, the case was settled for $650 million.

Who Can File a Xarelto Lawsuit?

Any patient who took Xarelto as directed by a doctor and suffered a stroke or major bleeding event can be eligible for participation in a lawsuit against the drug’s manufacturers. Family members of a patient who died may also be eligible.

The time to participate in the lawsuit may be limited, once the statute of limitations runs out. It is recommended to check as soon as possible if you are eligible.

What Expenses Can Recovered?

The lawsuits can provide compensation for the following:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Medical bills
  • Loss of wages
  • Funeral expenses