Far too often, our Miami personal injury attorneys read about a prescription drug causing serious, life-threatening side effects. Unfortunately, Xarelto continues this disturbing trend. Xarelto, manufactured by Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals, is a blood-thinning drug approved by the FDA in July 2011. Xarelto is a new type of anticoagulant drug that has captured the US drug market in recent years. Drugs like Xarelto were originally designed as an alternative to Warfarin, a similar blood-thinning medicine that has been in the market since the 1950s. However, recent research shows that Xarelto too, is coming with its fair share of problems.
Xarelto has led to an increased danger of blood clotting related injuries like gastrointestinal bleeding and severe internal hemorrhaging, especially during surgeries or following accidents. Two FDA “boxed warnings” (also known as “black box” warnings) have been prominently included on the drug’s box. One warning informs patients that stopping Xarelto early can increase the danger of building more blood clots. The other warning label states that Xarelto can add to serious head and spinal injuries (epidural and spinal hematoma).
Xarelto manufacturers have been sued by numerous patients who suffered strokes, pneumonic embolisms, deep vein thrombosis, and heart attacks. Adverse Xarelto side effects can result in extensive hospitalization, lengthy medical bills and considerable time off from work. These damages are recoverable by victim who suffered Xarelto side effects or by the family of a loved one who lost their life due to Xarelto.