If you are at risk for a stroke or heart attack, a doctor may prescribe a blood thinner such as Xarelto or Eliquis. These drugs are heralded as life-saving medications. But, they also bring a fatal side effect, too, and there is no way to reverse it.
Why Would I Need a Blood Thinner?
More than 2 million people take blood thinners every day. Blood thinners work by stopping blood from coagulating or joining together. This is helpful when preventing blood clots or to minimize an already existing clot. Physicians prescribe blood thinners for a number of different conditions. Some of these are deep vein thrombosis (DVT), atrial fibrillation and post-surgery care.
The most popular blood thinners on the market are Xarelto, Eliquis, and Pradaxa. These blood thinners climbed in popularity over the tried and true standard (warfarin), because of the ease of use it promised. Patients taking warfarin typically need their blood tested around once a week. However, those using Xarelto, Eliquis and other newer-generation anticoagulants don’t require intensive monitoring.
Warfarin works by making the blood less likely to clot by blocking the body’s ability to recycle vitamin K, which it uses to form clots. With less vitamin K circulating, blood takes longer to clot, but patients require regular testing to ensure proper dosage. Since Eliquis and other new blood thinners do not affect vitamin K, patients do not need constant monitoring.
What Makes Them Dangerous?
The biggest pitfall of these medications is that even a minor injury can turn fatal. Even a small cut runs the risk of not being able to stop bleeding. Without constant monitoring, many people discard seemingly minor injuries. A minor trip down the stairs could be shrugged off. But, since the body can’t stop the bleeding fatal internal bleeding can occur.
No Antidote
With Warfarin, doctors could reverse its effects with a single dose of vitamin K. New generation coagulants like Eliquis or Xarelto do not affect vitamin K, so no antidote exists. Once a bleeding event starts, it is nearly impossible to stop.
These blood thinners have injured thousands of people and many lost their lives. Yet, this medication is still on the market, and many are not aware of the dangerous side effects. The manufacturer should inform you about the long-term risks associated with the medications you take. If you or a loved one had uncontrollable bleeding after taking Eliquis or Xarelto, you should demand accountability. Why weren’t you told?
We want to help send a message that this is not acceptable. Also, we are advocates for consumers who have been harmed by dangerous products, and we have the experience necessary to successfully litigate these cases.