Xarelto® (rivaroxaban) was first brought to market in 2011 by Jansen Pharmaceutical, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, in partnership with Bayer. It is an anti-coagulant medication used to thin the blood to prevent blood clots and lower the risk of stroke for patients who suffer from atrial fibrillation. It is also approved to treat deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, and is sometimes prescribed following hip or knee replacement surgery. While the anti-coagulant action of Xarelto® can treat these conditions, it can also lead to potentially fatal, uncontrollable bleeding.
Xarelto® is the second in a new line of blood thinners, touted as an alternative to Warfarin. For decades, Warfarin was the primary drug of choice for anti-coagulation, starting in the 1950’s. Unlike Warfarin, however, there is no known antidote to Xarelto®’s anti-clotting mechanism that can be administered in case of an emergency. There is no effective reversal agent for Xarelto®. This leaves doctors with few options when a patient is suffering serious internal bleeding in the brain, intestines, kidneys, or other organs. The incurable and dangerous side effects of Xarelto® have led many users to suffer serious injury and even death.
The Food and Drug Administration received 680 reports of adverse events in Xarelto® users in 2013 alone, according to the Digital Journal. It is estimated that Xarelto® has given rise to the filing of more than 1,800 adverse event reports of severe injuries to patients taking the drug.
Hemorrhage is the most serious side effect of Xarelto®, and any patient taking Xarelto® should contact their doctor immediately if they experience:
If you or a loved one has suffered serious, uncontrollable bleeding while on Xarelto®, you should
contact us today for a free legal consultation.
