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OTC Painkillers and Pradaxa Are a Dangerous Mix

Painkillers and Blood Thinners Like Pradaxa Can Increase Bleeding Risk

People who take prescription blood thinners like Pradaxa, along with over the counter painkillers like aspirin, put themselves at a higher risk of serious internal bleeding.

Most over-the-counter painkillers, like ibuprofen and aspirin drugs, are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. These include brand-name drugs like Advil, Aleve, Excedrin, and Motrin, as well as generic aspirin.

However, new research shows that patients that use NSAIDs alongside their blood thinning medication, such as Pradaxa, Xarelto, or warfarin, should be very wary of potential bleeding problems.

“If you are taking an NSAID while taking an anticoagulant, your risk of a major bleed is double what it would be if you weren’t taking an NSAID,” said lead researcher Dr. Bruce Davidson, with the division of pulmonary and critical care medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle.

According to the research, one-quarter of major bleeds related to Pradaxa or other blood thinners happen within 8 days of taking an NSAID. The risk of bleeding is even greater for people with irregular heartbeat, called arterial fibrillation.

“It’s not like you have to be taking them for weeks or months. Some bleeds happen with a single dose,” Davidson said.

The report was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Internal Medicine, on April 14th.

“NSAID or aspirin therapy should be used only with caution and only if no similarly effective and safer alternative treatment is available. Use of Tylenol may be more advisable for people with headache or muscle aches while receiving anticoagulation therapy,” said Dr. Gregg Fonarow, a professor of cardiology at the University of California, Los Angeles, and spokesman for the American Heart Association. He added that previous studies have shown an increased bleeding risk associated with Pradaxa, warfarin, and other blood thinners in people that take aspirin, but the studies have been unclear regarding other NSAIDs.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Injury Cases Involving Pradaxa

According to the FDA, blood thinner Pradaxa has been linked to at least 260 deaths.

Patients taking Pradaxa, have a 33% higher risk of suffering a heart attack or severe symptoms of heart disease than patients who are on warfarin, another drug that doctors use to treat those who suffer the risk of stroke from blood clotting according to a study performed by the Cleveland Clinic.  In many cases, side effects may go undetected until it is too late.

If you or a loved one have been prescribed Pradaxa and have suffered any of these complications:

  • Fatigue,
  • Unusual bleeding & hemorrhaging,
  • Pink or brown urine,
  • Red or black stools,
  • Coughing blood,
  • Vomiting that resembles blood or looks like coffee grounds,
  • Bleeding from the gums,
  • Regular nosebleeds,
  • Joint pain & swelling,
  • Headaches,
  • Dizziness,
  • Weakness and swelling of the joints,
  • Intestinal bleeding, and even
  • Death.

You may have a personal injury or wrongful death case against Pradaxa’s manufacturers.

The pharmaceutical liability lawyers at The Strom Law Firm, LLC are at the forefront of the fight to protect the public and will stand up for your rights against the big drug and insurance companies. We will fight to ensure that you and your loved ones receive the justice you deserve.  Contact our defective drug and wrongful death attorneys at the Strom Law Firm, LLC today for a free consultation to discuss the facts of your case as well as your legal rights. 803.252.4800

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