You may have heard about the internal bleeding and other issues people have reported with the drug Xarelto, which led to a string of lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson. From these reports, it seems clear that no one should take the dangerous medication, and yet people do. Have you ever wondered what it is used for and why they would take it?
Essentially, it is a blood thinner. One common use is in those who have Afib. It can cause an irregular heartbeat. This, in turn, can cause blood clots. A bad enough clot can cause a stroke and may even prove fatal. It’s a very dangerous issue that is often hard to spot, and someone living with this condition may be constantly worried that things are going to take a turn for the worse.
To prevent that from happening, blood thinners are used to prevent the clotting and then prevent strokes and other complications. The medicine does not fix the irregular heartbeat. The person who uses it still has Afib and there is always some level of risk, but the blood thinners are designed to lower that risk when possible.
So, why do people use it? They see it as a necessary safety measure. They’re just trying to protect themselves from future complications. Even with quick treatment, a stroke can have a lasting impact and may not heal. Preventing it feels like the only option.
Of course, using Xarelto then increases the risks of internal bleeding and other such problems. Those who have suffered from these complications need to know about all of the legal options that they have to seek necessary compensation.