Comparing the Anti Blood Clot Medications Xarelto and Pradaxa
There are currently two major contenders for the most popular anti-coagulant medication: Xarelto and Pradaxa. Both are highly effective at helping prevent blood clots from forming, especially in the legs after a knee or hip replacement surgery, they are also both dangerous drugs that can lead to internal hemorrhaging. If you, or someone you love, have taken Xarelto and you have suffered from gastrointestinal bleeding (the most common form of hemorrhaging while taking this drug) you may be entitled to compensation. Contact a dangerous drug attorney from Arentz Law Group P.C. today by calling 1-800-305-6000, or by filling out the contact form on this page, to schedule your free case review. You may be able to file a Xarelto lawsuit.
What is Pradaxa?
Pradaxa is a direct thrombin inhibitor; simply put the drug inhibits a certain enzyme that causes blood clots. For those who have recently undergone surgery, or those subject to Atrial Fibrillation, they may take this drug to help prevent deadly blood clots. One side effect, however, is that the blood is thinned too much, and internal hemorrhaging can occur.
The key difference between Pradaxa and Xarelto is how long the drug stays in the system. Pradaxa takes between 1 and 6 hours to full take effect, and it has a half life (time it takes for the drug’s potency to be cut in half) of between 12 and 17 hours.
What is Xarelto?
Xarelto is a factor xa inhibitor. This drug works by inhibiting factor x in the coagulation process and does not work as a thrombin inhibitor (same outcome as Pradaxa, but different method of achieving that outcome). Xarelto is prescribed for many of the same things as Pradaxa, and is highly effective at preventing clots. However, it too makes the patient subject to bleeding and hemorrhaging.
Xarelto takes from 2 to 4 hours to hit maximum effectiveness, and it has a half life of between 5 and 9 hours. If someone taking Xarelto, and they are injured or start to hemorrhage, the drug will wear off faster than Pradaxa.
Pradaxa and Xarelto Lawsuits
Pradaxa has recently been under fire for failing to warn about the risks of internal bleeding. In fact, manufacturer Boehringer Ingelheim recently stated that they would pay around $650 million to settle Pradaxa lawsuits that have arisen.
German based manufacturer Bayer and US based marketer Janssen Pharmaceuticals are facing similar pressure for their drug Xarelto. Xarelto lawsuits have begun popping up around the country with similar claims. Accompanied by the two studies that show the risk of bleeding is indeed heightened while using the drug, and it is likely that the companies will be settling lawsuits and paying out millions of dollars as well.
Contact Arentz Law Regarding your Xarelto Lawsuit
If you have used Xarelto, and you have suffered from internal bleeding, you may be able to file your own Xarelto lawsuit and collect compensation to cover medical expenses and other damages. Just fill out the contact form on this page, or call 1-800-305-6000, to schedule your free case review with a dangerous drug attorney from Arentz Law Group. Xarelto brought in $1.3 billion last year by selling a drug and not properly warning the public about the dangers of using it; if you have been hurt, you can fight back.
Attorneys with Arentz Law can represent you in your Xarelto lawsuit regardless of which state you live in.