Ward Black Law
Pradaxa (dabigatran etexilate) is a new prescription blood thinner which may cause serious to potentially fatal internal bleeding. The Pradaxa attorneys of Ward Black Law are currently investigating cases of Pradaxa complications, including internal bleeding, hemorrhaging, and death. If you or a loved one has suffered serious injury or side-effects due to the use of Pradaxa, contact the Ward Black Law Pradaxa attorneys in Greensboro, North Carolina today. You may be entitled to compensation for your damages, and our professional, competent team of Pradaxa attorneys is here to assist you, give you a voice, and stand up for your legal rights. We have assembled this FAQ page as a quick guide to educate you about the potentially harmful side-effects of Pradaxa and to inform you of your options.
Pradaxa (dabigatran etexilate) is a prescription drug fabricated by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., and approved in 2010 by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is an anti-coagulant (blood thinner) used to reduce the risk of strokes and blood clots in patients with atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is a condition in which the heart beats in an erratic rhythm. Because the upper chambers (atria) of the heart do not fully contract, blood pools in those areas, becomes stagnant, and may create clots. If a blood clot then travels to the brain, it induces a stroke. In an effort to prevent clotting, Pradaxa, a direct thrombin inhibitor, thins the blood by targeting its enzymes.
Unfortunately, Boehringer Ingelheim reported in November 2011 that 260 people worldwide had died due to a fatal bleed while taking Pradaxa. This caused the FDA to issue a safety announcement in December of 2011, assuring consumers that it is investigating dozens of claims that severe internal bleeding/hemorrhaging in patients taking Pradaxa has caused injury, disability, and death. As of yet, there has been no recall of the drug.
There are other anti-coagulant drugs prescribed for atrial fibrillation patients, including Coumadin (warfarin), aspirin, and heparin, but each comes with its own attendant risks and side-effects. Warfarin, the most widely prescribed drug before the creation of Pradaxa, takes several days to take effect, requires close and thorough monitoring to determine correct dosage, and cannot be taken with certain foods and medications. However, recent studies have shown that Warfarin patients have a reduced risk of heart attacks and heart disease symptoms compared to Pradaxa patients.
The side-effects of Warfarin can be completely reversed by Vitamin K treatment, but there are currently no prevention, reduction, or reversal treatment therapies available for Pradaxa patients who have suffered internal bleeding/ hemorrhaging.
Boehringer Ingelheim did not sufficiently warn consumers of the possible harmful and fatal side-effects of Pradaxa; thus, the company may be held liable in cases of injury, disability, or death in Pradaxa patients.
If you or a loved one has experienced any side-effects from the use of Pradaxa, you may be entitled to compensation for any damages suffered, including injury, disability, death, pain and suffering, disintegration of health, lost wages, medical expenses, and travel expenses.
Please contact Ward Black Law today. Our experienced and qualified Pradaxa attorneys in North Carolina can help you pursue substantial compensation for your losses. They can answer your questions, evaluate your case, and guide you through the litigation process. Our Pradaxa attorneys of NC are here to assist you, right your wrongs, and give you a voice.
Below we have provided several recent news articles about Pradaxa and its side-effects. While these are intended to be informational and helpful, Ward Black Law is not responsible for the content on these third-party sites.
USA Today: Blood-thinner Pradaxa target of mass-claims suit
Houston Press: Pradaxa patients can’t stop the bleeding
CBS News: Higher heart attack risk from Pradaxa