Did you suffer severe internal bleeding while taking Pradaxa? Call Doyle Law at (205) 533-9500 for a free legal consultation. We're accepting clients nationwide.


Pradaxa has been linked to severe internal bleeding and may cause death as a result. Call the Pradaxa Injury Attorneys at Doyle Law to get the compensation you deserve.Pradaxa is a blood-thinning drug that is often prescribed to prevent blood clotting and stroke in patients susceptible to these medical conditions. As a popular anti-coagulant introduced by the German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim, it has been estimated that this industry is worth up to $20 billion per year. Many physicians have prescribed this medication to individuals nationwide, only to learn later about the serious side effects it may have on a person. Some of the most common side effects seen with the use of this pharmaceutical include:

  • Brain Hemorrhage
  • Gastrointestinal Bleeding
  • Kidney Bleeding
  • Wrongful Death

What is Pradaxa?

Pradaxa (generic: dabigatran) is an atrial fibrillation medication intended to prevent stroke. A recent RE-LY clinical trial linked Pradaxa to serious, life-threatening internal bleeding, particularly in the elderly. At least 260 people have died worldwide after using Pradaxa.


People with abnormal heart rhythm (also known as atrial fibrillation) often experience blood clots because the heart does not beat correctly. Blood clots can be deadly if they travel through the blood stream and become lodged in a major organ, such as the heart, brain, or lungs. If a blood clot blocks the artery supplying blood to any of these vital organs, a person may experience a stroke and suffer permanent injury or death.

Did you suffer severe internal bleeding or did a loved one die while taking Pradaxa? Call the Doyle Law Firm at (205) 533-9500.

Pradaxa prevents strokes caused by blood clots by thinning a patient’s blood. It is a type of blood-thinner called a "direct thrombin inhibitor," which inhibits the blood enzyme thrombin, which is necessary for clotting. In some cases, people who take Pradaxa may experience serious internal bleeding and gastrointestinal problems.

"Pradaxa triggers a 6% rate of major internal hemorrhages during each year of treatment," said Dr. Michael D. Ezekowitz, a professor of medicine at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and one of the researchers who led the clinical trials during Pradaxa’s development.

Pradaxa Has No Antidote

The biggest problem with Pradaxa is that it has no antidote. Pradaxa is often used as an alternative to Warfarin; however, a physician has the option of reversing the blood-thinning effects of Warfarin by administering Vitamin K, but Pradaxa has no similar safety mechanism. If a person who is using Pradaxa requires unexpected surgery, the physician treating the patient may have a far more difficult time stopping serious bleeding, because the patient’s blood is unable to clot.

The RE-LY Clinical Trial found 17.4% of Pradaxa users who needed non-elective surgery experienced serious bleeding.

The Pradaxa RE-LY Clinical Trial

The "Randomized Evaluation of Long-term Anti-Coagulation Therapy" (RE-LY) clinical trial compared the efficacy of Pradaxa and warfarin. Each medication was administered in a blinded manner to patients had atrial fibrillation. These patients were at increased risk for stroke associated with systemic embolisms (blood clots).


Findings of the RE-LY Clinical Trial and Bleeding:

  • 16.4% of people taking Pradaxa experience bleeding
  • 17.4% of people taking Pradaxa who needed emergency surgery experienced major bleeding
  • 3.3% of users experience serious bleeding
  • 1.5% experience life-threatening bleeding
  • 0.3% experience bleeding in the brain (cerebral hemorrhage)

Other Pradaxa Side Effects

Bleeding is not the only problems patients have experienced with Pradaxa use. Gastrointestinal problems are also experienced by up to 35% of people taking Pradaxa. Problems may include indigestion, abdominal pain, ulcers of the digestive tract, black or tarry stools, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and more.


Although not exhaustive, Patients have experienced these additonal side effects:

  • severe allergic reaction requiring hospitalization
  • anaphylactic reaction
  • anaphylactic shock
  • myocardial infarction
  • elevations in liver transaminases
  • bilirubin and hepatic dysfunction
  • easy bruising

Am I at Risk Of A Pradaxa Injury?

Talk to your doctor about the risk factors associated with this drug. If you are already using Pradaxa, do not stop using Pradaxa before consulting your doctor.


The FDA warns that you may have a higher risk of bleeding if you take Pradaxa and you:

  • are over 75 years old
  • have kidney problems
  • have stomach or intestine bleeding that is recent or keeps coming back, or you have a
  • stomach ulcer

You may be at increased risk of serious bleeding if you take other medicines that increase your risk of bleeding, including:

  • aspirin or aspirin containing products
  • long-term (chronic) use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • warfarin sodium (Coumadin®, Jantoven®)
  • a medicine that contains heparin
  • clopidogrel (Plavix®)
  • rasugrel (Effient®)
Contact Alabama Pradaxa Injury Attorneys at the Doyle Law Firm - Birmingham, Alabama

Contact Alabama Pradaxa Injury Attorneys

If you or a loved one was injured after Pradaxa use, you may have a defective product claim against Boehringer Ingelheim. Call our Birmingham, Alabama, offices today for a free consultation. Our office number is 205.533.9500. Do not wait another day and risk losing your claim.


The attorneys at the Doyle Law Firm are now accepting Pradaxa clients and filing lawsuits nationwide. Due to your injury, you may be able to recover damages (monetary compensation) for your pain, suffering, and medical treatment expenses. The Doyle Law Firm's experienced Pradaxa trial lawyers have extensive experience with product liability claims, specifically those involving defective and dangerous drugs.

Alabama Pradaxa Statute of Limitations

Alabama has a two year statute of limitations on filing certain product liability and personal injury claims, including wrongful death. It takes time to acquire medical records and draft pleadings, so please do not delay in contacting us if you have any concern that your injury may have been caused by Pradaxa.