Eliquis Linked To Higher Risks of Stroke, Embolism: Study
Amid aggressive promotion of the new-generation blood thinners as a superior replacement for warfarin, which has been the standard anticoagulant treatment for decades, new research suggests that side effects of Eliquis may actually increase the risk of stroke and embolism.
A study published this month in the medical journal The BMJ compared a number of new atrial fibrillation blood thinners, known as novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs), with warfarin, which has long been the go-to drug to prevent strokes from widespread heart condition.
Eliquis, Xarelto, Pradaxa and other new-generation anticoagulants have been introduced in recent years and marketed as easier to use than warfarin, indicating that they require less blood monitoring to maintain the proper dose. However, the drugs have also been linked to a large number of reports involving uncontrollable bleeding problems, as there was no safe and effective antidote for Xarelto, Eliquis or Pradaxa when they were introduced, often leaving doctors unable to stop bleeds that may occur.
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Learn MoreTens of thousands of Xarelto lawsuits, Pradaxa lawsuits and Eliquis lawsuits have been filed by individuals nationwide, alleging that the drug makers withheld important information about the side effects and bleeding risks in comparison to warfarin, which has a well established reversal agent.
In this latest study, researchers from Denmark looked at data from more than 55,000 patients in the country’s national registries to weigh the benefits and risks of Pradaxa (dabigatran), Eliquis (apixaban), and Xarelto (rivaroxaban) when compared to warfarin.
After one year of follow up, 4.8% of Eliquis patients suffered either an ischemic stroke or systemic embolism, compared to only 3.3% of Pradaxa users, 3.5% of Xarelto users, and 3.7% of warfarin patients. As a result, researchers calculated that Eliquis side effects may involve a 20% increased risk of stroke or embolism when compared to the older drug.
Additionally, the findings indicated that the overall risk of death was higher among patients given Eliquis and Xarelto, with both drugs carrying about a 50% increased risk for all-cause mortality.
Researchers also found that all of the drugs carried similar bleeding risks, except for Pradaxa, which carried a lower risk than the others.
“[I]t might be important to review concerns about safety of oral anticoagulant treatment in atrial fibrillation: ineffective or insufficient treatment for stroke prevention should be viewed as a safety issue itself, while the increase in the risk of bleeding is an inevitable consequence of a necessary treatment,” the researchers determined. “Thus, choosing the appropriate antithrombotic agent for each individual is paramount to reduce the stroke burden in atrial fibrillation, while a relative increase in risk of bleeding cannot be ruled out.”
Blood Thinner Lawsuits
Safety concerns over the drugs have been thrust into the spotlight over the last two years, as they increase in popularity and use.
According to allegations raised in product liability lawsuits filed against the drug makers, the new generation anticoagulants never should have introduced before a safe and effective reversal agent was available, seeking damages for severe bleeds and wrongful deaths caused by problems on Xarelto, Pradaxa and Eliquis.
Following several years of litigation, Boehringer Ingelheim agreed to pay $650 million in Pradaxa settlements to resolve about 4,000 cases brought on behalf of individuals who suffered severe and sometimes fatal bleeds. However, the drug has recently gained a market advantage with the FDA approval of a reveral agent, marketing as Praxbind, which is designed to make the drug substantially safer.
A series of Xarelto bellwether trials, involving claims against Bayer and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, are expected to begin next year in the federal court system. While the outcomes of these trial dates are not binding on other claims in the litigation, they are designed to help parties gauge how juries may respond to certain evidence and testimony that is likely to be repeated throughout the litigation, and may influence eventual Xarelto settlements to avoid the need for thousands of individual trials to be scheduled nationwide.
Meanwhile the Eliquis litigation has recently begun to grow amid concerns about this newest member of novel oral anticoagulant class, with consolidated pretrial proceedings recently established in the federal court system earlier this month, centralizing cases nationwide before U.S. District Judge Denise L. Cole in the Southern District of New York.
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ChantalMarch 12, 2023 at 2:09 am
I was put on eliquis in 2018 as had a DVT in my calf and pulmonary embolism in my right lung. In 2021 I had a stroke, left frontal lobe of brain. I was 55. The cardiologist and team were taken aback that I had a stroke while on eliquis and at a relatively young age. The head of the team moved me to warfarin. I do get a lot more red and purple bruises with it. But the INR levels are correct. I j[Show More]I was put on eliquis in 2018 as had a DVT in my calf and pulmonary embolism in my right lung. In 2021 I had a stroke, left frontal lobe of brain. I was 55. The cardiologist and team were taken aback that I had a stroke while on eliquis and at a relatively young age. The head of the team moved me to warfarin. I do get a lot more red and purple bruises with it. But the INR levels are correct. I just had a thought - why weren't my INR levels tested for my years on warfarin? Or similar tests to show it's working? I think that some specialists are going for the older drugs as they have had decades of research behind them. Well, cross fingers!
TheresaOctober 11, 2022 at 2:49 am
I was on eliquis for seven years. Suddenly with in two years. I had two strokes.. heart was great. La lit of testing. Two major hospitals. No one could say why I had them. Then I began have horrible dizzy spells. It was so bad. The vomiting falling down. One night CBS announced. Eliquis is now known to cause strokes. I googled. Threw them all away in early July l2022. Now to date October 2022. [Show More]I was on eliquis for seven years. Suddenly with in two years. I had two strokes.. heart was great. La lit of testing. Two major hospitals. No one could say why I had them. Then I began have horrible dizzy spells. It was so bad. The vomiting falling down. One night CBS announced. Eliquis is now known to cause strokes. I googled. Threw them all away in early July l2022. Now to date October 2022. No more problems.. oh yes I was treated for dvts
EdSeptember 29, 2021 at 3:03 am
My Cardilogist started my on 5mg of Eliquis tb.i.d. after noticing some atrial flutter in Nov 2020. After taking for one month, i had excessive bleeding, some dark stools, and my arrhythmia was almost constant. I felt tired all the time. After complaints, the dosage was cut to 2.5 mg b.i.d and then I was changed to Xarelto 20 mg once daily. The change helped with arrhythmia and no moredark stools[Show More]My Cardilogist started my on 5mg of Eliquis tb.i.d. after noticing some atrial flutter in Nov 2020. After taking for one month, i had excessive bleeding, some dark stools, and my arrhythmia was almost constant. I felt tired all the time. After complaints, the dosage was cut to 2.5 mg b.i.d and then I was changed to Xarelto 20 mg once daily. The change helped with arrhythmia and no moredark stools. On Sept 17, I underwent ablation of RA and still on Xarelto. Hope will be off of all blood thinners ny November
MitchellAugust 4, 2021 at 9:37 pm
Does anyone review this? I commented in Nov of 2020.
GartDecember 12, 2020 at 5:58 pm
I have been on eloquist for my afib and taken off warfarin oct 23 2020 I had a major stroke I cant walk,use my right arm or hand,trouble swallowing. I need 24 hrs care. I did have a stroke in 2016 which affected my left side but I was able to walk. Now I need a hoyer lift to put me in bed,a comode,and a wheelchair.
MitchellNovember 2, 2020 at 7:18 pm
On eliquis for several years related to arrhythmia, the PEs. Treated HP, we'll regulated, and large weight loss (intential) coupled with exercise had everything going well. Sever hemorrhagic stroke on 04/24/20 impacting right side. They have kept me on eliquis which I believe is retarding recovery. Waiting for Dr to get me another scan.
RobertSeptember 14, 2020 at 10:39 pm
81 year old male.I had an M.I. in May of 2020 and was put on Effient for stent protection. I was already on Eliquis 5mg 2xd, but developed a G.I. bleed so it was reduced to 2.5mg 2xd but middle bowel bleeding has continued and was ocurring for a few months prior to M.I. because when I was admitted to the ER I had a HGB of 5.0 due to Eliquis therapy for my AFib which I have had since my 1st M.I. in[Show More]81 year old male.I had an M.I. in May of 2020 and was put on Effient for stent protection. I was already on Eliquis 5mg 2xd, but developed a G.I. bleed so it was reduced to 2.5mg 2xd but middle bowel bleeding has continued and was ocurring for a few months prior to M.I. because when I was admitted to the ER I had a HGB of 5.0 due to Eliquis therapy for my AFib which I have had since my 1st M.I. in 1996 with CABG.U & L Endoscopies Nuclear scans Angiograms Xrays, Double baloon endo, Surgery for embolization of AVM. Bleeding now is worse than prior to surgery. My cardiologist won"t take me off of Eliquis so I am facing a 2nd abdominal surgery for.Middle bowel bleed.