The blood thinning medication Xarelto has been heralded as a breakthrough for patients with certain heart conditions and risk of stroke. Prior to the release of Xarelto and a related medication, Pradaxa, few blood-thinning medication options existed. Those that did, like warfarin, required constant monitoring of patients and could cause side effects that were severe or even deadly if patients were not carefully watched.
The new blood thinners, including Xarelto, were originally touted as medications that would require less monitoring. However, some top cardiologists are urging caution in prescribing these medications. Growing reports of injury and death related to Xarelto and Pradaxa use has led some doctors to realize that, without more careful monitoring, the “new” blood thinning medications are no safer for patients than the “old” ones, according to a recent Reuters article published in the Huffington Post.
Xarelto is the newest blood-thinning medication on the market. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last November and is commonly used to treat atrial fibrillation, a condition that can cause potentially fatal blood clots. About three million Americans live with atrial fibrillation, according to the article.
However, Xarelto may also increase the risks of gastrointestinal bleeding and other serious complications, especially in patients who already suffer from poor kidney function. Data on Pradaxa risks have already led regulatory agencies in Europe to demand better labeling for the medication. If the data on Xarelto demonstrates similar risks, regulators here and abroad may take more drastic measures to inform the public or curtail the medication’s use.
At Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, our experienced New York defective drug attorneys can help you determine exactly how a drug-related injury occurred and seek the compensation you deserve. To learn more, contact our office today.