May 3, 2012 — Boehringer Ingelheim’s blockbuster blood-thinning medication Pradaxa (dabigatran) has been linked to 459 deaths. Pradaxa was also responsible for the most medication-related deaths in the third quarter of 2011. Most of these deaths were caused by severe internal bleeding or heart attacks, the most life-threatening side effects of Pradaxa. Despite the risk of severe Pradaxa bleeding, Boehringer expects 2011 sales of Pradaxa to top $603 million, and this medication continues to become more and more popular.
From July 1, 2011 through September 30, 2011, there were 2,958 severe adverse event reports for Pradaxa patients. Of these events, there were 459 deaths, 69 disabilities, and 1,331 hospitalizations linked to Pradaxa side effects.
- From 1/1/2004 to 12/31/2011, 12,480 people have reported a serious adverse event where Pradaxa was identified as the primary suspect
- The most commonly-reported side effect was gastrointestinal bleeding.
- A total of 1,071 Pradaxa patients have reported gastrointestinal bleeding
Some people who were injured by Pradaxa have contacted a Pradaxa lawyer for assistance filing a Pradaxa lawsuit. If you are a Pradaxa user, or if you know someone who was injured by Pradaxa, you should contact a Pradaxa attorney immediately to see if you are eligible to file a Pradaxa personal injury lawsuit, or participate in a Pradaxa class action lawsuit.
In an emergency bleeding situation, it can be difficult or impossible for a physician to reverse the anti-clotting effects of Pradaxa in time to save a person’s life. Dialysis is the only way to remove Pradaxa, but it takes 2-3 hours to work. Older people (especially those at least 80 years old) who have impaired kidney function and low body weight have the highest risk of life-threatening bleeding, according to experts.
Even people who suffer minor injuries may die from Pradaxa internal bleeding. Elderly people have an increased risk of falling, because balance deteriorates with age. Recently, an 83 year-old man who was taking Pradaxa died from minor head trauma after a fall. When he appeared at the hospital, the cerebral hemorrhage was minor. However, because he was taking Pradaxa, doctors were unable to reverse the anti-clotting effects of Pradaxa in time to save his life.
In an emergency (such as after a traumatic accident), the blood-thinning effects of Pradaxa can only be reversed with dialysis. It can take several hours for dialysis to mechanically remove Pradaxa from the bloodstream. By the time dialysis takes effect, a person can easily bleed to death.
In fact, during the RE-LY clinical study, doctors found that nearly 20% of Pradaxa users who needed emergency surgery suffered life-threatening bleeding.
Many people are concerned about the risk of death and serious injury linked to Pradaxa. If you were unaware of these serious risks, you are not alone.
Do I have a Pradaxa Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Pradaxa injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was injured by severe bleeding, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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