Pradaxa Blood Thinner Lawsuit


A blood thinner used to prevent stroke in patients suffering from arrhythmia (irregular heart beat) when the cause is something other than a defective valve (such as hypertension heart disease), Pradaxa is the brand name for Dabigatran. Dabigatran is considered an alternative to Warfarin (sold as Coumadin), originally a type of rat poison that was first used on human patients in the 1950s to treat thrombosis and embolism.

Dabigotran is classified as a “direct thrombin inhibitor.” It operates by preventing the enzyme responsible for blood clotting (thrombin) from functioning.

Pradaxa Litigation Information

Currently, this drug is being investigated by the Food and Drug Administration, though the authors of the above-referenced study continue to insist that for certain patients suffering from arrhythmia, the benefits outweigh the risks.

If you are a family member have suffered injuries due to the side effects of Pradaxa, please contact our law offices at the earliest opportunity.

Pradaxa Side Effects

Side effects from Dabigotran range from gastrointestinal irritation to life-threatening and even fatal hemorrhaging. Usually, this bleeding takes place in the GI tract, which can result in bloody stools as well as vomiting. However, patients have also experienced dark and bloody urine, bleeding gums and excessive menstrual flow as well as bruises that do not heal – and even get worse. In the most serious cases, cerebral hemorrhaging (bleeding in the brain) can occur.

Warfarin is also known to cause excessive bleeding. However, according to studies published in a number of medical journals, this can be mitigated by treating the patient with intravenous doses of Vitamin K, fresh frozen plasma and/or prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC), a combination of substances that promote blood clotting. These treatments do not appear to help in the case of hemorrhaging due to dabigotran.

In addition to risks associated with hemorrhaging, a study published in the January 9, 2012 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine reports that patients taking Dabigotran have a 33% greater chance of developing heart disease or experiencing cardiac arrest.

Serious Side Effects include:

  • Death
  • Internal bleeding
  • Unusual bruising or bleeding / hemorrhaging
  • Cerebral hemorrhaging
  • Nose bleeding that happens often
  • Bleeding that is severe or you cannot control
  • Pink or brown urine
  • Vomiting blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
  • Unusual bleeding from the gums
  • Red or black stools (looks like tar)
  • Menstrual or vaginal bleeding that is heavier than normal
  • Bruises that happen without a known cause or that get larger
  • Coughing up blood or blood clots