If you are in danger of having a stroke or heart attack in Texas, your doctor may prescribe a blood-thinning drug such as Xarelto. This type of medication saves lives by preventing blood clots that can clog arteries, but they also carry risks. At The Leigh Law Firm, our team of experienced attorneys often represents clients who have experienced severe injuries as a result of prescription drugs.
HealthDay reports that these powerful medications can have adverse effects when they interact with other drugs. Blood thinners called nonvitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) can increase the risk of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract and brain, reducing effectiveness. When used concurrently with other specific types of medications, the increased bleeding may have catastrophic results.
Studies also show that many drugs can hamper the blood thinner’s ability to prevent blood clot, such as the cholesterol-lowering drug, Lipitor. In this situation, your risk of bleeding is low, but the risk of stroke is higher than if you were not taking Lipitor. Understanding side-effects and interactions is critical for patients and doctors. Adverse effects include the following:
- Brain hemorrhaging
- Blood clots
- Intestinal bleeding
- Pulmonary embolism
- Death as a result of internal bleeding
Medical professionals prescribe NOACs as they generally have fewer side effects than older blood thinners. However, bleeding risk increases significantly if you also take phenytoin, amiodarone, rifampin or fluconazole. These drugs treat a wide range of conditions, making it challenging for doctors to treat some patients.
If you or a loved one took Xarelto or other medications that resulted in tragic consequences, the pharmaceutical company might be liable. Visit our webpage for more information on this topic.