We previously posted a generic post concerning Xarelto and possible harm the drug can cause.
Our grave concern over the safety of this drug is coming to pass. Xarelto (Rivaroxaban), is a potent blood-thinning medication approved to prevent stroke in patients with heart rhythm problems known as atrial fibrillation. Xarelto is manufactured by Bayer and Johnson and Johnson pharmaceutical companies.
Xarelto, has now been linked to an increased risk of severe, life-threatening and in some instances fatal internal bleeding episodes. Lawsuits allege that drug-makers failed to warn that Xarelto lacks an effective reversal agent, which can make it difficult, if not impossible to stop bleeding in an emergency. Many Xarelto injured patients are now filing lawsuits against the manufacturers nationwide.
Sigmon Law, PLLC is investigating and accepting Xarelto cases in Texas and all other states. If you or a loved one has been injured because of Xarelto you have rights that need to be protected and preserved.
Follow the Money
Xarelto was designed to replace an older drug called Warfarin (Coumadin). Warfarin is still in use today and the drug can easily be reversed with Vitamin K, the blood element that causes clotting. However, with Warfarin the doctor who prescribed the drug had to monitor a patient’s diet and dosage carefully. The big drug companies and their doctor customers did not like this.
Xarelto, on the other hand, was marketed as a once-a-day dose, despite that it has a short half life: between 5-9 hours. Consequently, there was a strong profit motive to create a new drug when warfarin became generic. The lowest available price of 30 standard warfarin tablets is $4. The lowest price for 30, 5 mg Xarelto tablets? $405. Big “improvement”. The drug companies love this: in 2014, Johnson & Johnson had sales totaling $3.7 billion for Xarelto alone.
Xarelto’s Sketchy Approval Process and Current Dangers
Amazingly, Xarelto wasn’t approved for use by the FDA as a once-a-day standard blood thinner.
In 2011, it was approved to reduce the risk of blood clots after hip and knee replacements. A few months later that same year, it was approved to reduce the risk of stroke from atrial fibrillation.
Then in 2012, they expanded it to treat deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism.
- Xarelto has no reversal agent
- Xarelto has no antidote
- Xarelto can cause uncontrollable internal bleeding
- Harmed Xarelto users allege that Xarelto can actually cause strokes and blood clots if discontinued abruptly
Currently filed lawsuits charge that the makers of the drug failed to warn users and actually concealed the fact that Xarelto causes uncontrolled internal bleeding.
Currently, approximately 15,000 Xarelto cases are in multi-district litigation in federal court in New Orleans, LA.
Sigmon Law, PLLC is investigating and accepting Xarelto cases in Texas and all other states. If you or a loved one has been injured because of Xarelto you have rights that need to be protected and preserved. You can contact our office at 713.333.7979.