In early 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released the results of an interim analysis on the drug Xeljanz. They began this analysis in 2012 when they first approved Xeljanz for rheumatoid arthritis. In the FDA’s statement, they revealed that they discovered that taking a twice-daily 10mg dose of tofacitinib (the active ingredient in Xeljanz) leads to an increased risk of blood clots and death.

In the wake of the FDA’s statement, a host of Xeljanz lawsuits have emerged against Pfizer (the manufacturer of Xeljanz). While the FDA has ceased all 10mg prescriptions of the drug, more and more claims continue to come out. After all, plenty of patients have already experienced these dangerous adverse reactions and want justice.

There are two blood clots that the FDA discovered in their analysis: pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis. Both blood clots can be life-threatening if you do not receive the appropriate treatment early on.

Unfortunately, these reactions put you in a worse position than you were in beforehand, both physically and financially. Most lawsuits look to recover damages for the injuries they sustained and the medical treatments they receive. But what are treatments for blood clots caused by Xeljanz?

No one expects a prescription drug to hurt them more than help them. Unfortunately, that is far too often the case, as it is with Xeljanz. If you were the victim of the adverse reactions of Xeljanz, give the expert dangerous drug attorneys at Wormington & Bollinger a call today and let us fight for you.

Blood Clots Caused by Xeljanz

As we mentioned earlier, the FDA discovered that taking a 10mg dose of Xeljanz twice a day can increase your risk of blood clots. In their statement, they revealed that Xeljanz has already led to 45 deaths from taking this drug.

The two blood clots in question are pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Each has some key differences that set them apart. Before we dive into blood clot treatments, we must first explain these two blood clots.

Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

Pulmonary embolism refers to a blood clot in the lungs. When your heart pumps blood to your lungs, the blood travels through the pulmonary artery. Once in your lungs, the blood receives oxygen, which it then carries with it back to the heart. The heart will then pump and distribute this oxygen throughout your body.

This process is an essential function. However, PE disrupts this process, putting you at risk. When a clot gets caught in your pulmonary artery, it blocks blood from efficiently traveling from the heart to the lungs, which gives it the name of pulmonary embolism.

PE can cause significant damage to your heart, lungs, and entire body. The lack of blood flow and oxygen-rich blood throughout your body puts all organs at risk. Once a clot gets big enough, or you experience many small clots, PE can be fatal.

Some key symptoms to keep an eye out for include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • Irregular heartbeats
  • Coughing
  • Lightheadedness or passing out
  • Back pain
  • Unusual or frequent sweating
  • Fatigue

In extreme cases:

  • Lips and nails turning blue
  • Coughing up blood

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Deep vein thrombosis differs from PE as it occurs in the thighs and the lower legs as opposed to the lungs. Blood needs to move through your body efficiently and quickly to wash out toxins and provide the entire body with oxygen. However, when this flow slows down, clumps of blood cells begin to build up (which creates a blood clot). When these clots occur deep in the body, it becomes a deep vein thrombosis.

In most cases, DVT occurs in the thighs, lower leg, and pelvic region. However, it can happen in multiple areas. Upper extremity DVT is when blood clots occur in your arms, which share similar symptoms as lower extremity DVT. If a blood clot breaks free and travels through your bloodstream and into your lungs, DVT can turn into PE.

Some key symptoms to keep an eye out for include:

  • Swelling in the leg, foot, ankle, or arm (usually occurring on one side)
  • Cramping pain
  • Severe pain in the swollen extremities
  • Areas of skin that feel warmer than the surrounding areas
  • Pale skin or reddish/bluish skin
  • Areas of your body that are tender to the touch

You should seek immediate emergency medical care if you begin to experience:

  • Coughing up blood
  • Sharp chest pain
  • Pain in your shoulder, neck, arm, or jaw
  • Unusually sped up or rapid breathing
  • Painful breathing
  • Irregular heartbeat

Blood Clot Treatments

Blood clots can be fatal if they go untreated. When you recognize the above symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately. If not, you put your life at risk. If you are taking Xeljanz and experience these symptoms, stop using the drug, as it might be causing these issues.

The best way to prevent blood clots from doing any long-term damage is by catching and treating them early. But what are the treatments for blood clots?

The kind of treatment you receive will depend on how much your condition has progressed. For some, treatment is simple, but for others, it is far more extensive.

Some of the most common blood clot treatments include:

  • Medications: Anticoagulants thin your blood to prevent blood clots from forming. Thrombolytics can dissolve clots that have already developed.
  • Compression Stockings: These are skintight stockings that squeeze the area with a clot to reduce swelling or prevent the formation of blood clots, most often used by DVT patients. It helps blood flow easier up the leg and to the heart.
  • Vena Cava Filters: The vena cava is a large vein in your abdomen. It transports blood from the lower body up to the heart and lungs. In DVT cases, the blood clot can break free and travel to the lungs through the vena cava, causing PE. A doctor can insert a vena cava filter to prevent these clots from traveling to the lungs through this vein.
  • Stents: A doctor may insert a stent to widen and keep a blood vessel open.
  • Surgery: In some cases, surgery is necessary. In a catheter-directed thrombolysis procedure, a doctor will direct a catheter to the blood clot, which delivers medication directly to the clot to dissolve it quickly. In a thrombectomy, surgeons use special equipment to remove the clot surgically.

Contact a Xeljanz Attorney

When you take a prescription drug, you expect it to treat your condition. While all medications have side effects, the benefits should always outweigh the risks. However, as is the case for countless prescriptions, including Xeljanz, that is not always the case.

The FDA recently discovered that Xeljanz leads to an increased risk of blood clots and death. Whether Pfizer incorrectly made this product, did not know about these effects, or knew about them and failed to alert the appropriate parties, many Xeljanz lawsuits have emerged to hold them accountable.

If you or a loved one suffered adverse reactions from taking Xeljanz, contact Wormington & Bollinger today and let us fight for the compensation you deserve.