While the popular anticoagulant drug dabigatran has been touted as a safe alternative for stroke prevention in AF patients, the FDA is recommending that it not be used to prevent strokes in patients who have been implanted with mechanical heart valves.

The FDA has informed doctors and the public at large that dabigatran is potentially dangerous for patients with mechanical heart valves after it was shown to increase the patients’ risk of suffering from both strokes and heart attacks. This information came after a European clinical trial showed that the pills cause strokes, heart attacks and blood clots in those implanted with the heart devices. The study showed that dabigatran was even worse on the patients than the ever-popular Warfarin. The users of dabigatran also experienced more bleeding after the valve surgery.

Dabigatran is an anticoagulant medication used to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with non-valvular AF. The FDA is now recommending that doctors slowly wean patients with mechanical heart valves off the drug. The drug is still approved for stroke prevention in patients suffering from AF, but AF patients who also have mechanical valves should not take the drug. For this, doctors and the FDA are still recommending Warfarin.

Atrial fibrillation is a condition that is caused by patients suffering from irregular heartbeats and flutters. The condition is often treated with anticoagulant medications including Multaq. Multaq is manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis and has been linked to serious side effects, including liver failure and a worsening of the heart condition. Most recently, the drug has been linked to lung disease and pulmonary toxicity, as well.

If you or a family member has been diagnosed with liver failure, lung disease, pulmonary toxicity or a worsening of your heart condition after taking Multaq, contact attorney Greg Jones for a free consultation today. I am experienced at fighting Multaq lawsuits and may be able to get you money for your injuries.