Xarelto can cause life-threatening side effects
Tennessee readers who have used the blood thinner Xarelto should be aware that the drug is known to cause harmful side effects. The medication carries a black box warning, which is the strongest type of warning issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Xarelto, which is manufactured by a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, is the brand name for a generic anticoagulant drug called rivaroxaban. The medication prevents the formation of dangerous clots in blood vessels by decreasing the blood’s clotting ability. It is approved by the FDA to treat and prevent deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, typically in patients who are undergoing knee or hip replacement surgeries. It is also approved to prevent blood clots in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Unfortunately, Xarelto can cause many side effects. Among the most common are headache, back pain, bladder or bowel problems, itching or burning sensations, dark brown or red urine, black or red-tinged stools and respiratory problems. It is also known to have a severe impact on a patient’s blood proteins, which can cause internal or external bleeding. Such bleeding can cause serious or life-threatening health problems, such as organ failure. Patients who experience symptoms like unusual bruising, frequent nosebleeds, prolonged bleeding from gums or wounds, coughing up blood or unusual menstrual flow should contact their doctor.
Dangerous drugs can cause serious long-term health issues. Individuals who believe they have been harmed by Xarelto’s side effects may want to meet with an attorney in order to see if filing a products liability lawsuit would be advisable.