Pradaxa Accused of Causing Fatal Health Complications

Boehringer Ingelheim, the manufacturer of the anti-blood clotting drug, is facing a litany of lawsuits alleging that the drug’s side effects have resulted in serious injury or death. Boehringer has confirmed that at least 260 deaths have been caused by various side effects resulting from Pradaxa use, most commonly related to uncontrollable bleeding.

The FDA also chimed in to the controversy by announcing in December of last year that it was investigating the adequacy of Pradaxa’s warning labels, and “working to determine whether the reports of bleeding in patients taking Pradaxa are occurring more commonly than would be expected.”

A lawsuit filed against Boehringer further cites a study from the Institute for Safe Medication Practices which identified 932 cases of serious adverse drug events, including 120 death reports, 25 cases of permanent disability and 543 cases requiring hospitalization related to complications.

Kentucky woman says Pradaxa side effects caused husband’s wrongful death

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky.  In the complaint, Janet Cornelius is suing Boehringer for wrongful death on behalf of herself and her deceased husband, Floyd.  Cornelius claims that her husband began using Pradaxa on February 23, 2011 after being prescribed the drug by his physician. He was admitted to the hospital eight months later after experiencing a gastrointestinal bleed. He succumbed to his injury after undergoing blood transfusions and other invasive procedures.

Cornelius’s lawsuit claims the drug manufacturer “did not adequately inform consumers and the prescribing medical community about the risks of uncontrollable bleeds associated with Pradaxa usage, nor did [Boehringer] warn or otherwise advise on how to intervene and stabilize a patient should a bleed occur.”

Currently, there is no known substance that can counteract the blood thinning effects of Pradaxa, and therefore no way to stop a fatal bleed once it occurs.

Pradaxa lawsuit actions proliferate

Cornelius joins many other plaintiffs in filing a Pradaxa lawsuit to sue Boehringer for various injuries and damages related to its side effects.  She is seeking monetary damages for a variety of injuries, including wrongful death, pain and suffering and mental anguish.