Xarelto (rivaroxaban) is a relatively new blood-thinning drug that has been linked to hundreds of injuries and deaths since it was approved in 2011. Xarelto was originally approved by the FDA to reduce the risk of blood clots and strokes, particularly among patients with atrial fibrillation or following hip or knee replacement surgery. It was developed and is distributed jointly by Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Pharmaceuticals subsidiary and Bayer Healthcare.
Xarelto has been aggressively promoted as a superior alternative to Coumadin (Warfarin), which has been the go-to anticoagulation therapy for years. While the drug manufacturers claim that the drug is easier to use than Warfarin since patients do not require regular blood monitoring during treatment, the reality is that Xarelto, unlike Warfarin, has no antidote to quickly reverse its bleeding effects and stop a patient from hemorrhaging. For this reason, it is imperative that patients have their blood levels monitored while taking Xarelto to ensure that they are not at risk for bleeding episodes. However, Bayer and Johnson & Johnson do not warn users or physicians to monitor their blood levels to eliminate Xarelto’s bleeding risks, but instead, they continue to aggressively sell the medication which is expected to generate more than $1 billion in revenue this year.
If you or a love one has suffered this injury please contact Jamie Sheller 1 (800) 883-2299.
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