Eliquis is an anticoagulant. In other words, it keeps your blood’s platelets from clotting together. Blood clots can cause pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis or even strokes. Blood thinners like Eliquis are criticized for their serious internal bleeding risks. In fact, Eliquis and internal bleeding can be fatal for some patients. As a result, individuals are filing countless lawsuits against the manufacturer. The latest anticoagulant on the market, Eliquis, was developed by Pfizer as well as Bristol-Myers Squibb. It was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the wake of other new blood-thinning medications.
How Does Eliquis Work?
Eliquis and Pradaxa are both categorized as direct thrombin inhibitors, which are somewhat similar to Xarelto. They’re all relatively new to the market and rapidly replacing older blood thinner of choice called Warfarin.
The active ingredient in Eliquis is called apixaban, and it blocks certain clotting proteins in the blood. While this is great for preventing stroke and serious blood clots, it can hinder the blood clotting that’s necessary to prevent and stop potentially lethal hemorrhaging.
Eliquis and Internal Bleeding Risks Doubled by NSAID Use
While Eliquis warns patients to avoid injuries that may cause internal bleeding, caution may not be enough. Even combining Eliquis with common painkillers like aspirin can cause serious internal bleeding risks.
Called non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, these over-the-counter drugs include Advil, Aleve, Excedrin and Motrin. The combination of anti-inflammatory drugs and anticoaguants doubles your risk of a serious bleeding episode. The most alarming part is that single dose can cause a major bleed that could ultimately prove to be deadly.
Eliquis and Internal Bleeding Risks Can Be Fatal for Some Patients
Blood thinners can still result in serious bleeding without taking an NSAID, however. While internal bleeding associated with Warfarin was able to be stopped through the administration of Vitamin K, researchers have yet to find a way to stop the internal bleeding associated with Eliquis. Therein lies the problem—and the lawsuits. They may require less patient monitoring, but there is no way to fix a potentially fatal side effect. Symptoms to watch out for include:
- Bleeding on the brain
- Blood in the eyes
- Kidney bleeding
- Brain hemorrhage
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Blood in the urine
- Coughing up blood
- Bloody stools
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Nose bleeds
- Vomiting up blood
What You Can Do
If you’re taking Eliquis, don’t use NSAIDs. Instead, stick with acetaminophen (such as Tylenol). It’s also a good idea to speak to your doctor about Eliquis and internal bleeding, regardless of any painkillers you’ve taken. It’s important to identify what he or she will do in the event of serious internal bleeding – before it happens.
If you or a loved one suffered internal bleeding while taking Eliquis, you may be eligible to file an Eliquis lawsuit. Many people weren’t adequately warned about serious risks associated with taking Eliquis and are now suing over potentially deadly side effects. In fact, it’s a good idea to speak with an attorney who’s familiar with this case and can review your claim to see if you may qualify.