If you have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or a pulmonary embolism, your doctor may have prescribed Xarelto to control your condition. You may have also been prescribed this drug if you have recently had knee or hip replacement surgery as a way to reduce the risk of blog clots forming in the legs or the lungs after these surgeries. However, like many other people, this medication may not have helped you, instead, it may have harmed you.

About Xarelto

Xarelto (generically Rivaroxaban) is a prescription blood thinner that is made by the drug manufacturer Bayer. The medication is intended to prevent blood clots from forming in people who suffer from atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis, or a pulmonary embolism. It is also often prescribed to people who have undergone knee or hip replacement surgeries. It is provided in tablet form.

The reason this medication is prescribed to these patients is because it is intended to thin the blood, thus preventing the risk of developing fatal blood clots or strokes. In other words, Xarelto is able to block specific clotting proteins in the blood, thus making in an anticoagulant that can prevent the formation of blood clots.

The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved Xarelto on July 1, 2011 with the intended purpose of treating and preventing the aforementioned conditions.

Side Effects of Xarelto

As with all medications, there are certain side effects that can be experienced when taking Xarelto, and these side effects can have a direct impact on the blood.

The following moderate to severe side effects have been reported as a result of Xarelto:

  • Hemorrhaging
  • Feeling faint
  • Abnormal function of the liver
  • Blood clot formation in an organ, space or tissue
  • Muscle spasm
  • Arthritis
  • Backache
  • Hemorrhage in the brain
  • Itching
  • Indigestion
  • Lethargy
  • Dizziness
  • Sinus irritation and congestion
  • Sore throat
  • Tooth pain
  • Blisters on the skin
  • Pain in the upper abdomen
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Decreased production of platelets
  • Abdominal bleeding
  • Blockage of bile flow
  • Giant hives
  • Hemorrhage in the skull
  • Hepatitis
  • Life threatening allergic reaction
  • Spinal epidural hematoma
  • Steven-Johnson Syndrome
  • Abnormal, long and heavy periods

Though your medical professional prescribed Xarelto because he or she thought it would benefit your condition, there is a chance that it can aggravate or lead to other medical conditions. Though the majority of these side effects are rare, if you do suffer any of the above mentioned side effects, seek immediate medical attention.

In addition, you should report these side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Precautions When Taking Xarelto

If your doctor recommends prescribing Xarelto, it is important to take precautions and discuss your medical history with your doctor in order to prevent potential side effects from occurring.

Speak to your physician about your complete medical history, especially if you have a history of:

  • Kidney disease
  • Liver disease
  • Bleeding issues, such as bleeding in the brain, intestines, or stomach.
  • Stroke
  • Any recent surgeries or injuries
  • Blood disorders
  • Vision problems
  • Hereditary enzyme issues

Possible Drug Interactions with Xarelto

There is a possibility that Xarelto will have a negative impact with certain medications, which can impact how it, and other medications work. These interactions can also increase your risk of side effects. Be sure to let your doctor if you are taking any medications before you begin taking Xarelto. Medications that commonly interact with Xarelto include:

  • Antiplatelet drugs
  • Blood thinners
  • Antidepressants

​There is has a list of medications you should inform your doctor that you are taking before taking Xarelto.  This includes both over the counter and prescription medications, and herbal (such as St. John’s Wort) and vitamin supplements.

Xarelto Drug Injury

Though Rivaroxaban, or Xarelto (brand name) is intended to help prevent blood clots and strokes, it has been found to cause a number of injuries, including:

  • Severe bleeding.  Bleeding that cannot be controlled can lead to excessive blood loss, requires hospitalization, could require blood transfusions, and in the most severe cases, can result in death.
  • Stroke.  A stroke is caused when the blood flow to the brain is cut off, usually by a blood clot or a hemorrhage. A stroke can have a serious impact on fine and gross motor skills, impact speech, cause paralysis, and can even lead to death.
  • Spinal/Epidural Hematoma.  When blood builds up between the dura mater (the outer membrane of the central nervous system) and the skull, the result is a spinal/epidural hematoma. This condition can cause loss of consciousness, extreme headaches and in the most severe cases, it can be fatal.
  • Heart attack.  When the heart doesn’t receive enough blood flow, a heart attack is the result. This can happen when there is a blockage that prevents the blood from getting to the heart.
  • Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).  This occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, most commonly in the legs. This condition can cause swelling, pain and even pulmonary embolism.

Know Your Legal Rights

If you or a loved one has suffered a Xarelto-related injury, you have legal rights and it is important that you know them. Drug manufacturers (like Bayer, the makers of Xarelto) are required to let the public know about the possible health risks that are associated with their medications.

Xarelto was widely prescribed and used after the FDA approved it in 2011, and there were several cases of severe bleeding, blood clots, strokes, and other side effects that were linked to the medication. As a result of these side effects, the FDA required Bayer to alter the warning labels for Xarelto.

An experienced injury or product liability attorney can help you determine whether or not you have a case and can guide you through the process of legal proceedings, if it is deemed they are fit for your case.

Xarelto Lawsuits

Since Xarelto was passed by the FDA in 2011, countless lawsuits have been filed against Bayer as a result of the side effects of this medication.

Some of notable lawsuits include:

  • A New Jersey woman is suing Bayer, as she claimed that the blood thinner caused her aunt’s death.
  • In Madison County, Illinois, a lawsuit was filed against the makers of Bayer, stating that the medicine prevented her blood to congeal properly. This is just one of 250 similar cases that have been seen in the multidistrict lawsuit court.
  • In Louisiana, more than 400 lawsuits are pending in a Xarelto Multidistrict Lawsuit.

If you or someone you loved took this medication and suffered injuries, you could be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering. Contact an experienced personal injury or product liability lawyer for a consultation to see if you have a valid case.