Pradaxa Class Action Lawsuit Claims & Settlements
Most of us never really worry about our heart or how it’s beating. Even though most of us think about the fact that we need our heart to beat properly and uniformly in order to maintain our health and viability, this is not something that is at the forefront of our minds. That is definitely not the case for anyone with heart problems though, and for those with atrial fibrillation, this is a constant worry that involves much in the way of stress. Any problem that arises for someone who is already struggling with this condition can instantly be life-threatening.
Given this difficult reality, companies have been releasing medications that are designed to help people manage atrial fibrillation, mostly by thinning a person’s blood so that it is not as likely to clot. One of the leading medications in this regard in recent years has been Pradaxa, which is manufactured by Boehringer Ingleheim, a true corporate giant in the pharmaceutical world. While Pradaxa hit the market with much in the way of positive reviews, it wasn’t long before allegations of Pradaxa side effects began to circulate, setting off several different legal controversies around the world.
Pradaxa – A Brief Description
Pradaxa (Generic: Dabigatran) was approved for use in the United States by the FDA in 2010, and it is a member of a class of medications known as direct thrombin inhibitors. Basically, thrombin inhibitors work by blocking or interrupting one of the body’s natural chemical reactions that leads to blood clotting. People who have irregular heartbeats often need this medication as do people who are undergoing surgeries such as hip and knee replacements, as blood clotting can be a serious problem in those situations.
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat that increases the risk of stroke and heart disease. Some symptoms that have been attributed to atrial fibrillation are:
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Fatigue
Treatment usually involves medication, especially Pradaxa, lifestyle changes, and in some severe cases, surgery such as pacemakers, or cardioversion.
Pradaxa Side Effects
It wasn’t long after Pradaxa hit the market that allegations of Pradaxa side effects began to arise. Naturally, bleeding is a risk with any medication designed to prevent blood from clotting but there were several reports of serious internal bleeding by people who were depending on this medication. Internal bleeding is obviously something that is not easy to see, but symptoms of this problem include:
- Unusual/easy bruising
- Easy/continuous bleeding
- Pink or brown urine
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Lethargy
- Frequent nose bleeds
- Bleeding gums
- Coughing up blood
People using Pradaxa also reported suffering from gastrointestinal problems and heart attacks, and some deaths were alleged to have been linked to the use of this medication.
Pradaxa Lawsuits
The several pending Pradaxa lawsuits center around the fact that the drug does not currently have an antidote. Many of the cases claim that patients weren’t properly warned that Pradaxa had no antidote to reverse its anti-clotting effects. It’s this lack of a reversal agent that puts the patient at an increased risk of life-threatening and disabling bleeding. Lastly, it’s been claimed that emergency room doctors, surgeons and other medical professionals weren’t warned of this drug, and left without an effective way to treat Pradaxa users who’ve experienced excessive bleeding.
The different types of internal bleeding that are involved with Pradaxa lawsuits are GI bleeding, or gastrointestinal bleed, brain bleeding, and severe rectal bleeding.
In May of last year, the manufacturer Boehringer Ingelheim, agreed to pay $650 million to settle thousands of lawsuits against its drug Pradaxa. This settlement resolved most of the 4,000 cases in state and federal courts.
The company stands behind the safety of Pradaxa and continues to believe the lawsuits lack merit. They claim the settlements allow the company to move on, but Ned McWilliams, a lawyer in Florida who represented some plaintiffs believes differently, he states, “the fact that Boehringer Ingelheim has agreed to compensate thousands of victims hundreds of millions of dollars prior to expert disclosure or trial is telling in this regard.”
People who have suffered as a result of using Pradaxa need to take legal action in order to protect their legal rights, but that is much easier said than done when an individual consumer attempts to take on a multinational corporation. People who are forced into this position also need to focus on their medical recoveries, which is why it’s advisable for them to obtain the help of Pradaxa lawsuit lawyers. If you or someone you love has suffered in this manner, contact National Injury Help, today to schedule a free initial consultation.
Questions & Answers About Pradaxa
What is Pradaxa used for?
Pradaxa is a blood thinner which helps to prevent strokes. Approved in 2010, it claims to require less maintenance than warfarin and have fewer side effects. After a year on the market, 16% of patients with atrial fibrillation were taking Pradaxa, compared to 44% taking warfarin. Only two years after its arrival, Pradaxa was blamed for over 500 deaths.
What side effects are linked to Pradaxa?
Some of the more common side effects of taking Pradaxa include:
- Indigestion
- Stomach pain
- Heartburn
- Nausea
Pradaxa can also be the cause of more serious side effects:
- Bleeding
- Bruising
- Swelling or joint pain
- Pink or brown urine
Unfortunately, Pradaxa was one of the most mentioned drugs in the FDA’s database for adverse events in 2011. The FDA received 817 reports of adverse events in 2011.
A Cleveland Clinic study found that Pradaxa causes a 33% increased risk of heart attack or severe symptoms of heart disease including chest pain, shortness of breath and loss of consciousness.
Pradaxa Lawsuits in these States:
Alabama (AL), Alaska (AK), Arizona (AZ), Arkansas (AR), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Hawaii (HI), Idaho (ID), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Louisiana (LA), Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Massachusetts (MA), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Mississippi (MS), Missouri (MO), Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE), Nevada (NV), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New Mexico (NM), New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), North Dakota (ND), Ohio(OH), Oklahoma (OK), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC), South Dakota (SD), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Utah (UT), Vermont (VT), Virginia (VI), Washington (WA), Washington DC (DC), West Virginia (WV), Wisconsin (WI), Wyoming (WY)
Pradaxa settlement claims from class action lawsuit for bleeding side effects victims page updated June 05, 2015
