Xarelto Blood Monitoring May Have Avoided Deaths, Hospitalizations
While Xarelto has been promoted as a superior alternative to warfarin, with the drug makers claiming that it is easier to use and does not require regular blood monitoring, there is increasing evidence that suggests the manufacturers may have been placing their desire for profits before patient safety by making such broad statements.
Blood monitoring on Xarelto may actually be an important way of reducing the risk of severe bleeding injuries, hospitalizations and deaths, potentially allowing doctors to identify those who may be at the greatest risk of experiencing bleeding problems on Xarelto.
In fact, Xarelto monitoring recommendations may have been particularly helpful for those using the new-generation anticoagulant instead of warfarin, which has been the “go-to” blood thinner for atrial fibrillation patients for decades, as there is no reversal agent for Xarelto.
The blood thinning effects of warfarin can be quickly reversed in the event of a hemorrhage, allowing doctors to help the blood to clot. However, there is no such Xarelto antidote, often resulting in more severe bleeding injuries, or even death.
In a study published last month in the Journal of Cardiology, researchers examined the potential benefits of measuring coagulation function with Xarleto.
Researchers monitored 84 out of the 136 patients taking Xarelto in the study, testing prothrombin times (PTs) and plasma soluble fibrin (SF) levels at the time treatment began and at least two weeks thereafter.
Among non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients taking Xarelto, researchers found that there appears to be an increased risk of bleeding for those with prolonged PT and both trough and peak SF levels that were reduced relative to baseline. As a result, the study concluded that measuring PT and SF are important among patients taking Xarelto, regardless of their prior anticoagulantion history, as it may help doctors understand the effects of the drug and the associated bleeding risk.
The findings beg the question as to why Bayer and Johnson & Johnson decided to market Xarelto without blood monitoring recommendations for doctors. Two possible conclusions are that they either failed to adequately research and test the drug before marketing it to the public, or they placed their desire for increased sales before consumer safety, by attempting to obtain an advantage over warfarin that would convince doctors to switch to their higher priced alternative anticoagulant.
Xarelto side effects may be responsible for thousands of severe bleeding injuries in recent years, which have resulted in hospitalization and even death. If precautions had been taken to recommend Xarelto blood monitoring, many of these problems may have been avoided.
Xarelto Bleeding Lawsuits
As a result of the drug makers’ fail to provide adequate warnings and instructions, financial compensation may be available through a Xarleto bleeding lawsuit for individuals who have suffered:
- Internal Bleeding
- Rectal Bleeds
- Brain Hemorrhage
- Hemorrhagic Stroke
- Wrongful Death
The Xarelto injury lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. provide free consultations and claim evaluations for individuals throughout the United States who suspect that they, a friend or family member may have a case.
All lawsuits are handled under a contingency fee agreement, which means that there are no out-of-pocket expenses to hire our law firm and we only receive attorney fees or reimbursed expenses if we are successful obtaining a recovery in the case.
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