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As a Texas medical doctor and Dallas defective drug injury and wrongful death attorney, I am providing this timely update for folks who have been injured by the use of Pradaxa anticoagulant drug. According to experts, some Pradaxa patients are exposed to deadly bleeding and stroke risks because Pradaxa has no antidote to reverse its side effects and may cause bleed-out deaths. Many injured patients have filed a Pradaxa lawsuit against Boehringer Ingelheim, the manufacturer of Pradaxa. The allegations are that the drug maker failed to adequately inform patients about the risk of serious and deadly bleeding side effects of Pradaxa.

The lawsuits further claim that inadequate warnings were provided about the lack of an effective reversal agent to stop bleeding that may develop among users of the anticoagulant drug.

Federal Multidistrict Litigation

All federal lawsuits over Pradaxa in U.S. District Courts have been consolidated for pretrial proceedings before U.S. District Judge Herndon in the Southern District of Illinois.

Judge Herndon has established 4 bellwether cases for early trial dates, which are expected to go to trial between August 2014 and February 2015. Bellwether trial cases may also help the parties to a settlement agreement.

Federal Settlement Negotiations

Judge Herndon has ordered each side to meet at least one time per month to discuss potential Pradaxa settlement agreements with the assistance of a designated mediator, starting August 2013.

What is Pradaxa?

Pradaxa (dabigitran) is an anticoagulant that was released by Boehringer Ingelheim in October 2010 for prevention of strokes in patients with a certain type of heart arrthymia known as non valvular atrial fibrillation.

The medication has been marketed as a better alternative to warfarin (Coumadin), the older main stay of anticoagulant therapy. But if bleeding problems develop on warfarin, patients can be given vitamin K or blood transfusions to stop the bleeding, but no such antidote is available to stop Pradaxa bleeding.

FDA Warnings

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Drug Safety Communication recently informing the public and doctors that Pradaxa (dabigatran) should not be used in people with mechanical heart valves.

According to experts, Boehringer Ingelheim, has said that it will be sending a Direct Healthcare Professional Communication (DHPC) – also known as a “Dear Doctor Letter.” The letters are based on the FDA’s recent decision and will inform doctors that Pradaxa is contraindicated in patients with mechanical heart valves.

Health Canada Warnings

Health Canada is advising health care professionals and the public that, based on new information, the blood-thinning drug Pradaxa is not to be used in patients with artificial heart valves (also known as prosthetic heart valves) due to the risk of strokes, bleeding, heart attacks, and blood clots forming on the artificial heart valves.

Read more here and visit my website for further information.

FDA Warning: Pradaxa Use in Mechanical Heart Valves

According to the FDA, patients who have artificial heart valves should not use Pradaxa. The FDA issued this latest Pradaxa warning, after data from a clinical trial showed that the blood thinner may increase the risk of strokes, heart attacks,…

Posted in Dallas Fort Worth Injury Lawyer Blog on December 23, 2012

Pradaxa Stroke and Hemorrhage Death Lawsuits

As a Texas medical doctor and Dallas defective drug injury and wrongful death attorney, I am providing this timely update for folks who have been injured by the use of Pradaxa anticoagulant drug. According to experts, some Pradaxa patients are…

Posted in Dallas Fort Worth Injury Lawyer Blog on December 15, 2012

Pradaxa Bleeding Lawsuits Headed to MDL Southern District of Illinois

As a Pradaxa Hemorrhage and Stroke attorney, I am providing this update regarding the consolidation of Pradaxa federal lawsuits. All Pradaxa lawsuits filed in federal district courts throughout the United States will be consolidated before one judge for coordinated pre-trial…

Posted in Dallas Fort Worth Injury Lawyer Blog on August 9, 2012

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