What is Pradaxa?

Pradaxa is an anticoagulant, or blood thinning, medication that doctors prescribe to reduce the risk of blood clots and stroke – in particular in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). NVAF is is a common heart arrhythmia, affecting one in 20 people over the age of 65 and one in 10 people over the age of 75. It is a common risk factor for stroke.

Pradaxa received FDA approval in October 2010, and between that time and August 2011, approximately 371,000 patients were prescribed Pradaxa in the United States. The medication is available as 75 mg and 150 mg oral capsules.

Pradaxa’s chemical name is dabigatran etexilate mesylate. Boehringer Ingelheim manufactures the drug.

Its competitors include other anticoagulants like Coumadin/Warfarin, Heparin and Lovenox.

 

Why is Pradaxa unsafe?

Pradaxa has been associated with an increased risk of serious bleeding events, heart attack, and acute coronary syndrome – which refers to any obstruction of the coronary arteries. In some cases the drug has been connected to fatal uncontrolled bleeding and cardiac arrest.

One of the things that sets Pradaxa apart is the inability to reverse its effects in the case of a serious bleeding event.

In December of 2011, the FDA announced an investigation into Pradaxa’s connection to serious bleeding events, stating they are “working to determine whether the reports of bleeding in patients taking Pradaxa are occurring more commonly than would be expected, based on observations in the large clinical trial that supported the approval of Pradaxa.”

 

Our Nationwide Pradaxa Injury Attorneys in Memphis, Tennessee

If you or a loved one has suffered from cardiac arrest, uncontrolled bleeding, or other serious conditions while taking Pradaxa, you may be entitled to compensation.

Our Memphis personal injury lawyers have extensive experience in dangerous drug cases and pharmaceutical lawsuits in Tennessee and nationwide.

Now our attorneys are accepting Pradaxa cases and want to hear from you if you’ve been affected.

Get started on your case today. Contact us online or call (901) 327-1212.