542 Fatal bleeding incidents associated with the use of Pradaxa
Pradaxa (dabigatranetexilatemesylate) is a blood-thinning prescription drug used to reduce the risk of blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation (a heart arrhythmia). It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October 2010.
A total of 542 Pradaxa users have lost their lives and thousands of other patients have reported suffering serious side effects from the drug.
Misleading marketing: Pradaxa vs Warfarin
Pradaxa was marketed by its manufacturer, Boehringer Ingelheim, as an enhanced alternative to Warfarin (Coumadin), the competing blood-thinning drug on the market. Unlike Pradaxa, patients who use Warfarin are required to follow a strict diet and frequent blood testing in order to ensure that patients are receiving the proper dosage.
It would appear that the bleeding risk for Pradaxa is not higher than that of Warfarin. However, Warfarin has a bleeding antidote, which Pradaxa does not and without which bleeding becomes difficult to stop, resulting in a serious risk of death.
Adverse side effects include:
Other side effects caused by Pradaxa:
Pradaxa lawsuits
More than 2 000 lawsuits have been filed in the U.S. against German manufacturer, Boehringer Ingelheim, alleging adverse and fatal internal bleeding.