Health Canada has given its approval for Apixaban to be used as a treatment for stroke prevention in AF patients. The announcement was made on December 6, 2012. Canada’s decision about Apixaban joins Europe’s approval of the drug a few months ago.

Apixaban is an anticoagulant medication that is meant to be a safer and more effective treatment to Warfarin for preventing strokes in AF patients. So far, it is the only anticoagulant that has been proven to lower the risk of strokes and ischemic embolisms, as well as lessening the bleeding risks and the chances of patients suffering from an all-cause death. The drug is currently undergoing a review by the American FDA.

“AF places people at an increased risk of stroke. Yet despite available treatment options, many patients remain inadequately managed or untreated,” said Paul Dorian, MD, department division director, Cardiology, University of Toronto, and staff cardiac electrophysiologist, St. Michael’s Hospital, Ontario, Canada, in the company statement. “New oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are now the first recommended options for most patients for stroke prevention in Canada, and by making new therapies like Eliquis available, the goal is to reduce the burden of this disease.”

Alternative anticoagulant medications like Multaq are also used as a treatment for AF, but the drug has been proven to be more dangerous than the condition the drug treats. Multaq is likely to be removed from the shelves now that it has been linked to deadly side effects like liver failure, worsening of the heart condition, lung disease and pulmonary toxicity.

If you or a loved one has suffered from liver failure, a worsening of the heart condition, lung disease or pulmonary toxicity after taking Multaq, contact attorney Greg Jones for a free consultation today. I am experienced at fighting Multaq lawsuits and may be able to help you recover money for your injuries.