PRADAXA ATTORNEYS

Pradaxa is an FDA-approved blood thinner prescribed to reduce the risk of stroke and blood clots in patients with atrial fibrillation (AFIB), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or pulmonary embolus (PE). Pradaxa has been widely prescribed, with millions of people taking the medication since its approval. However, despite marketing efforts that claim Pradaxa is safer than warfarin (a traditional anticoagulant), recent studies suggest otherwise. Since it entered the market, there have been several reports of increased risk of uncontrollable bleeding and injury when taking Pradaxa. By 2011, Pradaxa had been linked to at least 3,781 injuries, and 542 deaths in the U.S. Many patients continue to suffer from the life-threatening side effects of Pradaxa, and lawsuits are still being filed against Boehringer.

In light of allegations that Pradaxa is both unreasonably dangerous and defective, the attorneys at Grimes Teich Anderson are helping patients and their loved ones seek compensation for damages that resulted from an internal bleeding event caused by the medication. Our attorneys have years of experience fighting against popular drug manufacturers and helping our clients recover compensation for medical expenses, loss of companionship, lost wages, mental anguish, funeral expenses, and pain and suffering.*

Pradaxa, also called Dabigatran, is an anticoagulant or blood thinner used to prevent blood clots and strokes. Manufactured by the German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim, it was approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2010. It was the first drug to compete with warfarin, a type of blood thinner that has been prescribed for decades. Because of the drug's reversible nature, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals spent more than $400 million promoting Pradaxa as a safe and convenient choice when it was approved in 2010. Pradaxa is taken orally, with or without food.

However, after two years of use and over 2.2 million prescriptions issued for Pradaxa, there appeared to be some serious problems caused by Pradaxa use in some patients. Since that point, more than 6,000 people have filed lawsuits against Boehringer Ingelheim over harm they say was caused by Pradaxa.

While there are several adverse side effects connected with Pradaxa, one of the most severe problems is the risk of bleeding injuries. Excessive bleeding can occur almost anywhere, but most commonly in the gums, mouth, rectum, or intestines. However, the incidents involving Pradaxa seem to have arisen from internal bleeding caused by the drug itself, including gastrointestinal bleeding and brain hemorrhaging. Because Pradaxa is an anticoagulant, as with all anticoagulants, the risk of hemorrhaging when bleeding occurs exists. Surgery and unexpected accidents in which a person may suffer blood loss can be particularly dangerous for someone taking Pradaxa. Excessive blood loss may often result in death because of a medical professionals' inability to stop a patient from bleeding.

Unlike Coumadin, no "antidote" has been developed to address the anticoagulant effects of Pradaxa once the bleeding starts. Patients who have developed internal bleeding problems using Pradaxa may be facing long-term bleeding problems, even after they have stopped using the drug. The symptoms of internal bleeding may include:

• Bruises that become larger over time
• Unusual or unexplained bleeding
• Brown or pink-tinted urine
• Blood in stool
• Vomit containing blood

If you or a loved one have suffered due to being prescribed Pradaxa, you may be entitled to compensation. The dangerous drug lawyers at Grimes Teich Anderson are available to review claims on behalf of patients who suffered severe internal bleeds as a side effect of taking Pradaxa.