Plavix Lawsuit Filed Over Heart Attacks and Strokes Suffered by 11 People

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Nearly a dozen people who allege that they suffered a heart attack, stroke or other serious injury as a result of side effects of Plavix, a popular blood thinner, have filed a product liability lawsuit against Bristol-Myers Squibb and Sanofi Aventis, alleging that the drug makers exaggerated claims about the effectiveness of Plavix and failed to adequately warn about the risks associated with the medication. 

The Plavix lawsuit was filed in St. Clair County Circuit Court in Illinois by 11 plaintiffs from across the United States, all of whom say that the drug makers failed to warn them of Plavix health risks and falsely promoted the drug as safer and more effective than it actually was. According to a report in The St. Clair Record, the complaint alleges that plaintiffs suffered heart attacks, strokes, bleeding and cardiovascular complications that resulted in physical disfigurements, impairment, pain and suffering.

Plavix (clopidogrel) is a blood thinner that prevents blood platelets from sticking together to form clots. It is prescribed to prevent heart attacks, strokes and blood clotting when drug coated stents are used in patients with arteriosclerosis and in other at-risk patients. It is a blockbuster medication, generating annual sales of over $9 billion for Bristol Myers Squibb Co. and Sanofi-Aventis.

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The lawsuit alleges that the Plavix makers promoted the expensive medication as a safer alternative to aspirin, although it may actually provides no benefits over taking aspirin alone and could actually increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, gastrointestinal bleeding, severe ulcers and a rare blood disorder known as TTP, or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpora.

Similar allegations have been raised in other Plavix lawsuits that have been filed on behalf of individuals throughout the country, including several dozen that are pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. In addition, previous reports suggest that there are thousands of other cases that are likely to be filed.

Tags: Aspirin, Blood Thinner, Gastrointestinal Bleeding, Heart Attack, Illinois, New Jersey, Plavix, Product Liability, Sanofi-Aventis, Stroke, Supreme Court

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8 Comments

Richard
I started bleeding shortly after being put on plavix. I ended up with thrombocytopenia. I took transfusions daily for 4 months ( until they stopped working ). My family was told 3 times I would not be here by morning. I had my spleen removed with a 5 per cent chance for survival I spent 5 years in a wheel chair and 7 years on oxygen. I’m very blessed to be alive. I have been unable to work since I was 52 I am now 69. They tell me there is a 60 per cent chance it will return
Joyce
On September 20,2011, had to go to emergency hospital, because I was bleeding from the rectum GASTROINTESTNAL BLEEDING and I had just stopped taking PLAVIX and aspirin for a year when I had stents done, could this have been caused by taking these medicines. Went toDoctor which did a colonscopy and yesterday at his office he said this could have been caused from PLAVIX and ASPirin.
Dennis
In comment ot Kandy, I have taken Plavix for over 3 years and suffered a heart attack while using the drug and an aspirin regimine. I suffered a heart attack while using the therapy so in my case and I think that of many other, the drug is over rated as to it’s effectiveness. I am in no way disputing your claim however, you didn’t mention whether or not you smoke or have any other underlying issues that could be responsible. I have had 9 major back surgeries including the abdominal method and the lift inserted through my side! I have also had neck surgeries, colonoscopies, a significant number of epidural blocks, facet joint injections, and sympathetic nerve blocks for my RSD, all requiring that I stop the drug 7-10 days prior to treatment. I never had any issues with clotting etc. You may have some other underlying issue which is complicating matters. I would get some second and third opinions just to get to the bottom of things. I never rely on any one doctors diagnosis as the medical profession has it’s scholars and then those that probably shouldn’t be practicing medicine! Since most insurance companies will cover second opinions, it might not be such a bad idea for your own piece of mind! GOOD LUCK and best of health to you!
kandy
I have hade three heart attacks in less than three years, I am 49. plavix was a direct result of my last two heart attacks.the first I was off plavix for nine days and my stint failed I almost died.my second was last january I was taken off plavix for five days to have an operation and had a blood clot form inside of my stint.I had my heart attack in the recovery room . Now I need knee surgury and i can’t find a doctor who is willing to work on me because i can not be off plavix not even for a day.
Donna
Glad you all are ok, my mom wasn’t so lucky in 2003. She died from massive bleeding from ulcers, intensive care 2 surgerys to try to correct the damage. In ICU for 2 weeks and still blood coming from somewhere and platelets were not forming, and I guess they never knew it could have been caused from plavix and maybe having ttp. They had to give our poor mother 22 units of blood in 18 hours. They need to take this drug off the market, what are they waiting for. It is just going to cause more and more injuries!!!!!!!!!!!
John
I have been taking Plavix since a stent was placed in my heart in May of 2009. Later after I had a ventricular ablation I began to feel worse, light headed dizzy, speech a little heavy and believe I have been having TIA’s, or at least suspect that is what it is….docs have kept me on Plavix anyway and I am now considering changing over to an aspirin per day against their advice. Especially after reading these comments and your article. I am just trying to do the right thing and stay alive…to bad we can’t trust docs or drug manufacturers to help us with that…
ron
the same thing happed to me. They had to give me 2 pints of blood after my bleed. I am wondering how long it will be before they go to trial? Im sure the drug company will keep putting it off for years on top of years
Ron
I was prescribed for Plavix in July of this year, After 3 1/2 months it caused a bleeding ulcer and blood in my stool as well as other side effects. On Oct 31, I vomited a great quantity of blood and was rushed to the hospital by paramedics. I spent from Oct 31 to Nov 6 in the hospital and after various tests, it was determined that Plavix was the culprit.

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