None of these drugs are perfect, and no medication can
realistically claim to be, but the amount of reported deaths and severebleeding events reported by Pradaxa users is a cause for serious concern. With
similar characteristics and similar trial results, Xarelto has become a concern
for some industry watch dogs.
What is Xarelto
Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) is a blood thinner medication
prescribed to patients with atrial fibrillation, the most common form of
cardiac arrhythmia. This condition affects an estimated 3 million Americans and
15% of elderly Americans over the age of 80. In these patients, there is significant
increased risk for developing a blood clot in the heart due to blood pooling in
a storage chamber of the heart, which can travel to the brain, causing a
stroke.
Xarelto acts by inhibiting the Factor Xa protein. The Factor Xa protein is generated by both
the extrinsic and intrinsic coagulation pathways and it activates prothrombin
to thrombin, which activates the final components of the coagulation pathway to
form clots. Factor Xa inhibitors are generally used as prophylaxis in patients
having hip and knee replacement surgery, where blood clots can form and lead to
deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
Traditionally, blood thinners worked by inhibiting vitamin K
production in the blood to prevent blood clots.
Xarelto works differently by inhibiting the Xa protein in the blood and
therefore does not have a reversal agent like its competitors (i.e. Warfarin) which
inhibit vitamin K production in the blood.
What Were the Observed
Complications that Caused Researchers Concern
In the drug trials, researchers named a number of severe
complications which could be caused by Xarelto.
Similar to Pradaxa’s observed side effects and complications, Xarelto is
equally concerning considering its lack of a reversal agent. In the first quarter alone, Xarelto had 356
reported adverse health complications.
Among these reported adverse health complications were the following:
·
Fatal bleeding event
·
Brain hemorrhage
·
Liver abnormalities
·
Kidney abnormalities
·
Collection of clotted blood in the organs or
tissue
·
Jaundice/ yellowing of skin due to liver
problems
·
Spinal epidural hematoma
·
Bleeding in the abdomen
·
Hemorrhage within the skull
·
Blockage of normal bile flow
·
Stevens- Johnson Syndrome (a skin disorder due
to allergic reaction or infection which can be characterized by herpes, skin
lesions, sores, vision problems)
·
Life threatening allergic reaction
·
Severely decreased blood platelets
·
Deficiency of Granulocytes (white blood cells)
If You Have Been
Injured By Your Blood Thinner Medication
Unfortunately, because Xarelto and Pradaxa both lack
reversal agents, these severe complications could turn deadly with little to no
recourse for doctors treating these patients.
In comparison, Warfarin’s side effects can be treated with a vitamin K
shot to clot the blood. Patients and
their families who have suffered Xarelto blood thinner injuries are encouraged
to seek a talented product liability attorney to determine their eligibility
for compensation.
