Pradaxa Lawsuit
The oral anti-coagulant, Pradaxa, is the subject of a recently filed Pradaxa lawsuit and more lawsuits are expected to be filed. Marketed as a safer alternative to the anti-coagulant warfarin, questions about the side effects of Pradaxa have arisen. To date, 260 deaths worldwide have been attributed to Pradaxa side effects.
Side Effects Reported
All anti-coagulants can cause bleeding or hemorrhaging, including Pradaxa, but others have antidotes that can reverse the effects of the drug. There is no antidote for Pradaxa so doctors are unable to control bleeding in patients using Pradaxa. Pradaxa and warfarin are used to treat atrial fibrillation which is an irregularity in heart rhythm that can cause blood clots to form in the chambers of the heart. The dabigatran drug lawsuit alleges that information about the lack of an antidote was deliberately obscured by Pradaxa marketers.
Misleading Statements
The makers of Pradaxa touted the drug as a safer alternative to warfarin because unlike warfarin, Pradaxa does not interact with any foods. Food interactions with warfarin can enhance the side effects and result in more bleeding events. The side effects of warfarin can be reversed by administering Vitamin K, but the side effects of Pradaxa cannot be reversed. The dabigatran drug lawsuit alleges that the fact that Pradaxa has no antidote was buried in a medical guide under the heading “Overdose”.
Pradaxa Lawsuit Raises Questions About Standard Dosage
One of the perceived disadvantages of warfarin is that the dosage must be tailored to each patient while Pradaxa has a standard dosage of 150 mg twice a day. The pending trial alleges that this standard dosage may be too high for some patients. Clinical studies have indicated that patients with impaired kidney function who use Pradaxa can build up dangerous levels of the drug in their blood. There is also evidence that the risk of Pradaxa side effects increases in patients over 75 years of age.
Increased Risk of Heart Attack
The Cleveland Clinic recently did a clinical analysis of the seven Pradaxa clinical trials that were performed before FDA approval of the drug in Oct. 2010. Their analysis indicated that patients taking Pradaxa may have as much as a 33% increase in the risk of heart attacks and chest pains leading to hospitalization. It is believed that heart attacks in the initial studies may have been under reported or attributed to other causes by the drug maker. Pradaxa users who suffered a heart attack while taking the drug may have cause for a Pradaxa claim.
Who Can File a Lawsuit?
Patients who have taken Pradaxa and suffered a serious bleeding event, heart attack or chest pains requiring hospitalization, may have grounds to file a Pradaxa trial. Family members and financial dependents of individuals who died as a result of Pradaxa side effects may have cause to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the makers of the drug. It is important to bring all medical records and, for a wrongful death lawsuit, a copy of the death certificate, to the initial consultation with a Pradaxa lawyer.
The Time to File a Lawsuit is Limited
Every state has a statute of limitations which limits the time individuals have to file a lawsuit, usually to one or two years. In most states, the clock begins running as soon as the injury caused by a drug is discovered. Patients who have been hospitalized for Pradaxa side effects should consult a Pradaxa lawyer as soon as possible to avoid forfeiting their right to compensation. Compensation from a lawsuit may include payment for medical expenses related to the injury, lost wages, and pain and suffering caused by the injury.
Legal Expenses for a Lawsuit
People who are eligible to file a lawsuit should not be deterred because they cannot afford a lawyer. Pradaxa lawyers work on a contingency basis which means they do not receive a fee until their clients receive compensation for their damages. There may be some small expenses for medical records, filing costs and other documentation, but the lawyer’s fee is deferred until the claim is settled or a judgment for compensation of damages is entered by the court.
If you or a member of your family has suffered from the side effects of Pradaxa you can receive a free compensation evaluation. Simply complete the short questionnaire and an experienced legal professional will evaluate your case and provide helpful information and assistance in finding a qualified lawyer to handle your Pradaxa lawsuit.
