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Pradaxa Side Effects Prompt Class Action

Pradaxa Class Action Lawsuit in Canada Alleges Pradaxa Side Effects Not Disclosed

Pradaxa side effectsA class action lawsuit filed in the British Columbia supreme court alleges that the potential for serious Pradaxa side effects was not properly disclosed on the label.

Gladys Chouinard, who lived in BC, had a heart attack and valve replacement and was prescribed Pradaxa, a blood thinner, to prevent blood clots. However, because of the nature of the blood thinner, Mrs. Chouinard bled to death a month after she began taking the medication.

Chouinard’s daughter, Marilyn Tanguay, claims that Pradaxa’s manufacturers did not make it clear that the blood thinner had an antidote in the event of a major bleeding event, which is a known potential Pradaxa side effect. However, Pradaxa is one of the few blood thinners on the market that does not have an antidote.

“It should be profiled in the warning section of the product monographs, and that was not the case when Pradaxa first came on the market,” said Bryan McPhadden, attorney for the plaintiff. “For some unknown reason, it was contained in the overdose section. We say that is entirely unhelpful, because overdose is not usually a problem … If you were concerned about a possible bleeding event, you might have not taken Pradaxa at all. Or, if you suffered from bleeding, at least you would know where to look.”

Health Canada approved Pradaxa for the Canadian market in 2008. The class action lawsuit reflects many problems also alleged by the United States market. Pradaxa was approved for the US market in 2010, and since then has been prescribed to nearly 850,000 patients, and has been linked to 1,000 patient deaths. The drug has generated $2 billion in sales in the US alone.

Pradaxa was developed to replace decades-old blood thinner warfarin, specifically to prevent strokes in patients suffering atrial fibrillation, a type of irregular heartbeat that is common in the elderly. Like other blood thinners, according to Boehringer, Pradaxa comes with a risk of potential internal bleeding. The company cited a recent study done by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that Pradaxa had a lower risk of severe bleeding than other blood thinners, warfarin in particular.

However, personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits against the company, which number over 2,000 in the United States alone, state otherwise. A study performed by the Cleveland Clinic showed that Pradaxa had a 33% increased chance of suffering a heart attack or developed symptoms of heart disease, which could in turn increase potential for internal bleeding if a heart complication developed.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Injury Cases Involving Pradaxa

If you or a loved one have been prescribed Pradaxa and suffered any of the following Pradaxa side effects:

  • 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 if you had serious outcome from Pradaxa side effects. 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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