The number of lawsuits claiming injuries associated with Xarelto continues to grow in the U.S., and regulators in Canada recently announced a safety review into reports of liver injuries connected with Xarelto use.
The August 26 Health Canada safety review cites numerous reports of liver injuries among Canadian Xarelto users, and the Canadian government will continue to monitor all safety information involving Xarelto.
What is Xarelto Used For?
Xarelto (rivaroxaban) is used to prevent blood clots from forming in patients who have undergone hip or knee replacement surgery, and also to treat or prevent blood clots from forming in a deep vein, typically in the leg, known as deep vein thrombosis, or in a blood vessel that supplies the lungs (pulmonary embolism), and to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with irregular heartbeat. Xarelto was first sold in Canada in September 2008.
Safety Review
At the time of the safety review, there were 61 Canadian reports of liver-related adverse effects in patients taking the blood thinner Xarelto. A review of international data from the World Health Organization’s database showed 431 cases of liver injury, and Xarelto was confirmed to be the only drug used in 23 of these cases; therefore, a clear link between Xarelto and liver injury could not be established.
Despite the findings, Health Canada has said it will continue to monitor safety information involving Xarelto, identify and assess any potential harm, and take appropriate and timely action should any new health risks be identified.
Xarelto Lawsuits Pending in the U.S.
In August 2015, the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas combined several lawsuits alleging dangerous side effects associated with Xarelto use, and almost 400 separate cases were consolidated in mass tort litigation in Philadelphia. As of August 30, 2015, approximately 1,231 lawsuits have been consolidated for pretrial proceedings in a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the eastern district of Louisiana.
Other information and blogs on Xarelto:
Bayer Facing Lawsuits over Xarelto; Drug Linked to Uncontrolled Bleeding
Xarelto Attorneys for Bleeding Injury Lawsuits
Two Studies Raise More Concerns About Xarelto Bleeding
Xarelto and Pradaxa Pose Serious Risk of Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Focusing his practice on helping individuals harmed by pharmaceutical products and medical devices, Andy Childers has been named a 2018 Super Lawyer in the Class Actions/Mass Torts category—helping his clients receive settlements in excess of $250 million to date. In addition to mass torts, Mr. Childers handles cases for those suffering from Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN)—horrific allergic reactions that cause the person’s skin to slough off, and that can lead to blindness, permanent disability, or death.
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