Even though dabigatran has been prescribed as an AF treatment by 19 percent of doctors across the U.S., patients should still be wary of the drug and its bleeding risks, says a new study that was published online in The Archives of Internal Medicine.
The very serious bleeding risks associated with dabigatran (Pradaxa) have the real ability to make all of the benefits of taking the drug seem unworthy of its praise. While there is a risk of bleeding with any anticoagulant medication, some drugs are just safer than others to take. Even the popular Warfarin can cause bleeding in some patients, but it is still safer to use than Multaq, which has been linked to liver failure and a worsening of the heart condition. These dangers of different drugs are why researchers chose to look at the progress of dabigatran in the first place.
For this study, the researchers analyzed data collected from different studies on patients who were taking various anticoagulants after suffering from acute coronary syndrome (ACS). What the researchers discovered is that patients experienced three times the risk of bleeding when using an anticoagulant compared to those that used placebos. However, there were only small amounts of reduction in their chances of suffering from stent thrombosis or making their heart conditions worse.
“For the net clinical benefit, treatment with new-generation oral anticoagulant agents provided no advantage over placebo,” the researchers reported. “The use of anti-Xa or direct thrombin inhibitors is associated with a dramatic increase in major bleeding events, which might offset all ischemic benefits in patients receiving antiplatelet therapy after an ACS.”
While all anticoagulants are dangerous, one drug that is not viewed as safe or effective is Multaq. Research has shown that Multaq causes liver failure and a worsening of the heart condition for some patients, which is why Multaq has been recommended for use only should all other medications fail to work.
If you or a loved one has suffered from liver failure or a worsening heart condition after being treated with Multaq, contact the attorneys at Greg Jones today for a free consultation. I am experienced at fighting Multaq lawsuits and may be able to help you recover money for your injuries.