Medical malpractice claims have increased considerably over the past decade with the arrival of new drugs on the market. Allegations made against Pradaxa, a newly-developed heart medication, have resulted in a class action lawsuit against the drug manufacturer as well as lawsuits filed against attending physicians.
If you or someone you know has experienced medical complications from taking Pradaxa, knowing your rights under the law can help you get the compensation you deserve. By choosing to work with a Pradaxa attorney, you can more effectively assemble your personal injury claim in order to receive compensation for the injuries, pain, and suffering you have sustained as a result of this drug’s negative side-effects.
Initially approved by the FDA in October 2010, Pradaxa was designed to aid those with specific heart issues and offered users an alternative to Warafin (also known by the brand names Coumadin, Jantoven, Marevan and Uniwarin) which is an anticoagulant.
Despite the intention of the drug’s makers, Pradaxa use may lead to serious complications, symptoms, side effects and health risks, none of which were immediately or clearly disclosed in the medication’s initial warnings.
When taking Warfarin, patients must keep a close watch on their diets and receive ongoing testing to ensure the right dosage is taken. Pradaxa improvements made it possible for patients to forego this testing requirement and diet monitoring process.
Because of the way these drugs thin the blood, both carry the risk of causing internal bleeding. The manufacturer of Warfarin has developed an antidote medication to treat conditions where internal bleeding becomes an issue.
As of yet, Boehringer Ingelheim – the manufacturer of Pradaxa – has not developed an antidote for the condition. This places people affected by internal bleeding effects at considerable risk of developing more serious conditions.
Consumers who have prior complications, like those pertaining to a decreased level of kidney function, may be at an even greater risk for complications due to the organ’s necessity in the process of cleansing the body of Pradaxa.
While the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and studies completed prior to approval highlighted a greater reduction in the risk of stroke, the drug also triggers serious side effects, many of which consumers were not properly warned against.
While there are a number of negative side effects connected with Pradaxa, one of the most serious problems is the risk of bleeding injuries. Excessive bleeding can occur in the gums, mouth, rectum, and intestines. If this has happened to you or a loved one, you should schedule a free consultation with a Pradaxa lawyer after alerting your physician to the seriousness of your condition.
Surgery and unexpected incidents in which patient may suffer blood loss can be particularly dangerous for someone taking the drug Pradaxa. As a result, it can be extremely hard for doctors to stop the bleeding of a patient who has been taking the medication once bleeding begins.
Excessive blood loss has resulted in numerous deaths because of the inability of medical professionals to control a patient’s bleeding, which was a direct result of the use of the drug. Even menstrual bleeding can become a serious health risk those who have taken or are taking Pradaxa.
After the drug was cleared for use by the FDA, the federal agency that oversees the nation’s drug suppliers and medications received numerous reports of serious and occasionally fatal complications. Though the FDA acknowledged evidence of these risks, the agency has so far not curtailed the marketing or distribution of the drug citing it’s health benefits to so many patients outweighs the possible risks to some patients.
The FDA, however, issued stern instructions to medical providers that they make the risk of complications clear to their patients. You can read more about the safety warnings on the FDA’s website.
In some circumstances in which a patient using Pradaxa and is experiencing internal bleeding there may very few, if any, obvious symptoms.
Some of the more common signs of internal bleeding include coughing up blood, blood in stools, blood in vomit, nosebleeds, or even excessive menstrual bleeding. By the time some of the previously listed symptoms listed manifest themselves, it may be too late for a patient to be effectively treated.
In addition, many patients may not understand they should be looking for such potential side effects, due in large part to inadequate warnings of the inherent risks of the drug. If you are taking Pradaxa and have experienced any discomfort or irregularity in your health, you should consult with you doctor immediately. Then you should contact a Pradaxa lawyer.
If you or a loved one suffered as a result of being prescribed Pradaxa, you may be entitled to compensation. It’s important to note that to be successful in such a claim there are many factors, including the fact that the person in question must have taken the name brand Pradaxa medication, not a generic equivalent.
Consulting a qualified attorney can help determine whether you have a viable claim. If the lawsuit is successful, you may be able to receive financial recompense for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering endured as a result of taking Pradaxa. You have already suffered enough, let Price Benowitz LLP help you find an attorney who can provide the legal services that you require and deserve.
