Eliquis Internal Bleeding Lawsuits

Eliquis is a member of a new category of medications called thrombin inhibitors. These drugs are used to prevent blood clots and reduce stroke risk. Patients who have undergone knee or hip replacement surgeries, as well as those with atrial fibrillation, pulmonary embolism, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), had only one option for treatment until 2012 when this new generation of blood thinners hit the market.

For decades, warfarin (also known as Coumadin) was the main treatment used by patients with a high risk of stroke. Although effective, warfarin is relatively high-maintenance, requiring routine testing and monitoring. With no need for monitoring, Eliquis and other thrombin inhibitors quickly gained in popularity. Unfortunately, hundreds of patients have reported uncontrollable bleeding linked to these drugs.

Along with Eliquis, Xarelto and Pradaxa are also linked to a risk of excessive and uncontrollable bleeding. These oral anticoagulants are more convenient and require less monitoring than their predecessor, warfarin. However, that convenience appears to be linked to life-threatening complications. Although warfarin also comes with an increased risk of excessive bleeding and hemorrhaging, it has one important thing that Eliquis does not - an antidote. In heavy doses, Vitamin K and fresh plasma can be used to halt bleeding in patients taking warfarin. Unfortunately, no such antidote exists for thrombin inhibitors. For this reason, excessive bleeding can end in serious injury and even death.

There is a long list of possible side-effects linked to the use of thrombin inhibitors. Some of the most serious complications include:

• Bleeding in the brain
• Internal bleeding
• Intestinal bleeding
• Kidney bleeding
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Death

If you are currently taking Eliquis, Xarelto, or Pradaxa, and you develop any of the following symptoms, contact your physician immediately.

• Dizziness or faintness
• Rapid heartbeat
• Blood in the urine
• Blood in the stool
• Uncontrollable nosebleed
• Bleeding from the eyes
• Bruised or purplish skin
• Coughing or vomiting up blood
• Severe nausea
• Constipation
• Anemia
• Severe headache
• Chest tightness or shortness of breath
• Swollen or painful joints
• Difficulty swallowing
• Swelling of the tongue
• Skin rash or hives
• Extreme fatigue
• Severe abdominal pain

Eliquis is manufactured by two pharmaceutical companies, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer Inc. While these companies continue to rake in massive profits, reports of serious injuries linked to Eliquis-use continue to rise. In addition to releasing a defective drug to the masses, Eliquis manufacturers should also be held accountable for failing to warn physicians and consumers of harmful complications associated with their drug. Thousands of patients may have chosen not to take Eliquis if they had known about the potentially life-threatening risks.

If you or a loved one has been injured after taking Eliquis or any other thrombin inhibitor, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. Eliquis manufacturers, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer Inc. should be held accountable for their negligent actions. The skilled drug injury team at Altman & Altman, LLP has been protecting the rights of drug injury victims for more than 50 years. When pharmaceutical companies put profits before the safety of patients, they should pay. Contact us today for a free consultation about your case.