Pradaxa (dabigatran) is an oral blood-thinning medication prescribed to prevent blood clots and treat conditions caused by these clots, like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Made by Boehringer Ingelheim, Pradaxa was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October 2010.

Since then, Pradaxa has been reported to cause some serious, possibly life-threatening complications.

If you or someone you love has been harmed by Pradaxa, you may have legal options for:

• Holding Boehringer Ingelheim accountable
• Seeking compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering.

An attorney at Bell & Pollock, P.C. is ready to explain your legal options, answer your questions and help you take the right steps to get on the road to justice and recovery.

Initial consultations are free, and there is NO fee for our services unless compensation is obtained for your claim.

Though touted to be more effective and easier to use than competing anticoagulants (like warfarin and Xarelto), Pradaxa can reportedly increase the risk of uncontrollable bleeding, particularly gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhaging. If serious, uncontrollable bleeding is not treated with the antidote (Praxbind, which is also made by Boehringer Ingelheim), it can be fatal.

Other serious complications that have been linked to Pradaxa include (and may not be limited to):

• Acute kidney failure
• Liver failure
• Heart attack
• Stroke.

Over the years, the FDA has taken various actions to evaluate Pradaxa’s risks and warn the public about them. The following timeline highlights some of these actions:

• May 2014 – The FDA issues a Safety Communication, warning that Pradaxa is associated with a higher risk of GI bleeding and the same risk of heart attack (when compared to warfarin).
• December 2012 – An FDA Safety Communication warns that patients with mechanical prosthetic heart valves should not take Pradaxa.
• November 2012 – The FDA updates a previous Safety Communication, addressing the risks of uncontrollable bleeding events when taking Pradaxa.

The FDA continues to monitor the risks associated with Pradaxa and urges doctors and patients to report adverse events related to Pradaxa to the MedWatch Program.

Those who have been hurt after taking Pradaxa, as well as families who have lost loved ones to fatal Pradaxa complications, will likely have a claim against Boehringer Ingelheim.

In fact, Boehringer Ingelheim has already paid out hundreds of millions of dollars to settle Pradaxa claims, many of which have alleged that Boehringer:

• Failed to conduct adequate safety testing for Pradaxa
• Failed to provide treatment protocols for Pradaxa-related bleeding events
• Failed to warn the public about the serious bleeding (and other) risks associated with Pradaxa
• Inadequately labeled the drug and engaged in deceptive marketing practices with Pradaxa.

A lawyer at Bell & Pollock, P.C. can determine whether you have a Pradaxa claim and, if so, help you pursue your best options for compensation and justice. Experienced at going up against pharmaceutical companies and other formidable opponents, we can help you hold Boehringer Ingelheim liable for the injuries and losses you have suffered due to Pradaxa.