A new study has found that the drug rivaroxaban (Xarelto) does not increase the bleeding risks of AF patients any more than vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). These data were discovered after a meta-analysis was performed that included five randomized controlled trials.

What makes this study so interesting is that rivaroxaban was actually linked to a 52 percent lower risk of AF patients experiencing fatal bleeding than those taking VKAs. This information was reported by Dr. Kristian B. Filion of Jewish General Hospital/McGill University in Montreal, Canada, and her colleagues.

“Our finding of a decreased risk of fatal bleeding and no increase in most bleeding outcomes should provide clinicians with some reassurance regarding the safety of this drug with respect to bleeding,” Filion told Reuters Health by email.

With so many new anticoagulant drugs like dabigatran (Pradaxa) under fire for the excessive and uncontrollable bleeding they cause, this new study may show that rivaroxaban is a safer alternative. Since all of the new drugs being prescribed to treat AF and blood clot-related conditions were originally designed to replace older (and dangerous) drugs like the ever-popular Warfarin and Multaq, this news may help to provide doctors with more options.

“While we did not examine mechanisms, one possible explanation for the decreased risk of fatal bleeding with rivaroxaban is that patients taking vitamin K antagonists may have been outside of the therapeutic range much of the time,” Filion says. “Our study adds to the evidence that rivaroxaban may be a practical alternative to vitamin K antagonists.”

Vitamin K is often used as a reversal agent to combat the bleeding risks previously linked to the use of both dabigatran and rivaroxaban. However, if this study’s results are confirmed, it will prove that rivaroxaban is not as dangerous as originally believed. That could prove groundbreaking in providing doctors with safer alternative anticoagulant treatments for AF patients. Other drugs that were previously used to treat AF include another anticoagulant like Multaq. Multaq is made by Sanofi-Aventis and has been linked to serious side effects including a worsening of the heart condition, liver failure and lung toxicity. It is for this reason that the FDA has recommended that doctors only prescribe Multaq if 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.