Pradaxa Usage
Pradaxa (Dabigatran) is an anti-coagulant (blood thinner) manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim. It is used to treat Atrial Fibrulation (A-Fib).
What are the side effects of Pradaxa?
As with all medications, Pradaxa can cause side effects, and these can vary in severity from person to person. Some common side effects of Pradaxa include:
- Stomach upset and indigestion.
- Stomach pain.
- Burning sensation in the stomach.
More serious side effects include:
- Serious, sometimes fatal bleeding. This can occur in various parts of the body. Signs of this may include unusual bruising, frequent nosebleeds, unusually heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, pink or brown urine, red or black stools, coughing up blood, or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
- Increased risk of bleeding in individuals 75 years and older, those with a bleeding condition or stomach ulcer, those who take aspirin, NSAIDs, or other blood thinners, or those with kidney problems.
In addition, some patients have reported more severe health issues such as:
- Gastrointestinal bleeding.
- Heart attack.
- Stroke.
- Brain hemorrhage.
- Kidney bleeding.
- Death.
It’s important to remember that Pradaxa is not for people with artificial heart valves and should not be taken by those who have abnormal bleeding or have had a heart valve replaced. Always consult with your healthcare provider for a complete understanding of the potential risks and benefits before starting any new medication.
Please note that this is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Are there Pradaxa mass tort lawsuits?
Yes, numerous lawsuits have been filed against Boehringer Ingelheim claiming that the manufacturer did not sufficiently warn concerns about the bleeding risks associated with taking Pradaxa.
In 2014, a settlement fund of $650 million was established to cover the cost of approximately 4,000 lawsuits that had been filed against the manufacturer. This fund was also set up to cover legal and administrative costs.
In 2018, a significant case saw a $1.25 million verdict against Boehringer Ingelheim for a family whose relative suffered gastrointestinal bleeding due to Pradaxa. This verdict marked the first time the drug manufacturer was held liable for misrepresenting the health hazards of Pradaxa.
By 2019, over 3,100 Pradaxa cases were pending across the nation, including roughly 3,000 in the consolidated proceeding in Connecticut. That year, a jury awarded $542K to a plaintiff over the alleged bleeding risk caused by Pradaxa.
In 2020, Boehringer Ingelheim reached a global settlement to resolve 2,935 lawsuits related to the bleeding risks of Pradaxa. These cases included almost all that were pending in the Judicial District of Hartford.
In 2021, a previous $1.25 million verdict awarded to a family was overturned by the 4th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. The court ruled that the manufacturer could not have changed the drug’s label to provide an adequate warning without approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
More information about Pradaxa
Following are sites with more information about Pradaxa:
- Pradaxa.com – official website
- Dabigatran – Wikipedia
- Web MD – Pradaxa