Xarelto Lawsuit Converted To Multidistrict Litigation

 Posted on January 16, 2015 in Defective Prescription Drugs

A federal multidistrict litigation panel has consolidated 21 Xarelto cases in the Eastern District of Louisiana. Eight of these cases were originally filed in the Southern District of Illinois. The others came from Louisiana, Florida, Kentucky, New York, Utah, Vermont and West Virginia. Writing on behalf of a seven-member panel, Judge Sarah Vance concluded that the cases all presented common factual issues, even though there were some differences, such as dosage amount and medical history. Therefore, Judge Vance ordered the cases to be consolidated, given the common facts and the “impractical[ity] of informal coordination.” Judge Vance consolidated the cases in Louisiana because both parties agreed that The Bayou State was an acceptable forum, it is centrally located, and the presiding judge is “well versed in multidistrict litigation.”

In addition to the pending cases, as many as 30 additional matters may be filed in the coming months, alleging that Xarelto causes significant health problems.

Is Xarelto a Dangerous Drug?

Rivaroxaban is one of the next-generation oral anticoagulants which are vying to replace warfarin, the dependable drug with few side-effects which is also difficult to administer. Some believe that Xarelto could be the new Pradaxa.

Observers predict that sales for the new anticoagulant may exceed $2 billion. The drug manufacturer, Bayer, claims that Xarelto is safe and that the drug's benefits outweigh its risks, but these risks are becoming hard to ignore.

In addition to the cases in the United States, patients in Germany self-reported nearly 2,000 adverse incidents in 2012 and 2013, including 130 deaths. Xarelto side-effects may include:

• Bleeding Gums and Bloody Stools: Although the symptoms themselves may be mild or moderate, they may indicate that more serious bleeding problems are coming.
• Red or Brown Urine: As Xarelto seeps into the liver, it can cause significant bleeding and digestive problems.
• Difficulty Urinating: The longer a patient ingests Xarelto, the more serious the liver side effects may become.
• Tiredness, Weakness and Fainting: If a patient's blood pressure drops too low, due to the excessive bleeding that rivaroxaban may cause, these symptoms may appear.
• Coronary Artery Disease and Heart Failure: These are the side-effects that most often result in fatal incidents.

Bayer is working with Johnson and Johnson to develop an antidote for Xarelto when severe side-effects appear.

If you or a loved one was injured while taking Xarelto, contact an experienced Arlington Heights defective drug attorney for a free phone consultation.