If you or a loved one, have been injured by the anticoagulant drug, Xarelto (generic name: Rivaroxaban), you deserve to be compensated for your losses. Right now, Xarelto lawsuits are underway across the nation because Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the manufacturer, and distributor of Xarelto, failed to warn doctors and users of Xarelto about its potentially deadly side effects. Fraud, wrongful death, failure to warn, and unreasonable marketing of a dangerous drug, are just some of the charges being brought up.

Why is Xarelto dangerous?

Initially, in November of 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Xarelto for treating patients recovering from knee and hip replacement surgery, but it quickly went on to be promoted as the next generation of blood-thinning drugs alongside Pradaxa.

Those suffering from atrial fibrillation, a condition in which an irregular heartbeat causes blood to collect and clot, affecting roughly three million Americans, began using the medication at a rapidly increasing rate, with an estimated 130,000 prescriptions written for Xarelto in the U.S. in the first three months of 2012 alone.

Part of the reason it’s so dangerous is that its predecessor, Coumadin (generic name: warfarin), which was approved in 1954, required close doctor supervision and regular blood test monitoring. But Janssen has marketed and promoted Xarelto as a once-a-day drug that does not require such tests and overseeing.

It’s important to note here too, that Pradaxa hasn’t performed much better, with the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) estimating that 542 reports of deaths related to Pradaxa were reported to the FDA in 2011.

Xarelto injuries

Patients with poor kidney function are particularly affected by Xarelto. The most common injuries are pulmonary embolisms and deep vein thrombosis. Other injuries include strokes and heart attacks, gastrointestinal bleeding, severe hemorrhaging, decreased hemoglobin, hematomas, peripheral edema, dyspnea, and other bleeding problems.

Xarelto injuries further affect an individual and their family because they often necessitate lengthy hospital stays, high and long-term health care costs, and significant time away from work. Filing a lawsuit will shift the responsibility of these costs to Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. instead of creating a financial hardship for the family.

In the case of a patient dying from Xarelto, surviving family members can file a wrongful death case, in attempt to be compensated for funeral costs, healthcare expenses, lost income, lost companionship, and other damages.

Nothing can take the place of a loved one, or make up for the time and happiness lost while dealing with this serious of an injury, but the financial burden should not fall on your shoulders when Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was so obviously negligent in their promotion of this drug to treat atrial fibrillation. That’s why it’s important to act now, to at least lessen your financial suffering and send Janssen, and other irresponsible pharmaceutical companies, a message that this sort of behavior is not okay.

Have you or a loved one suffered serious side effects after taking Xarelto? If so, call an experienced Meshbesher & Spence attorney at 1-888-728-9866 for a free, confidential consultation. Or, simply complete the information on the right of this screen and an attorney will contact you to gather more information.