Gastrointestinal Bleeding Signs & Symptoms

Gastrointestinal bleeding signs and symptoms should be taught to every patient who is prescribed Pradaxa® (dabigatran), the anticoagulant medication that is given to tens of thousands of patients in the U.S. each year. The FDA approved the use of Pradaxa® as a treatment for atrial fibrillation, a heart condition that more than two million Americans suffer from.

Hospital/Emergency Room Visits for Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Pradaxa® treatment can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, a serious and sometimes life-threatening complication. Many patients have been admitted to a hospital or emergency room with one of the following:

• stomach bleeding
• gastrointestinal (GI) bleeds, for example upper GI bleed or lower GI bleed
• bleeding ulcer symptoms

Gastrointestinal Bleeding Symptoms

It's possible for gastrointestinal bleeding to occur without producing any symptoms, even over a fairly long time, such as weeks or months. Even so, the gastrointestinal bleeding will eventually manifest itself in symptoms such as:

• anemia
• fatigue
• black stools (feces)
• a positive test for microscopic blood

Gastrointestinal bleeding that is acute (that is, sudden and obvious) often first produces one or more of the symptoms:

• black, tarry stools
• bloody bowel movements
• vomiting of blood (the vomit may look like coffee grounds

Symptoms Associated with Blood Loss

When a case of gastrointestinal bleeding, whether it's an upper GI bleed, a lower GI bleed, stomach bleeding or from a bleeding ulcer, is severe, blood loss becomes a concern. The symptoms associated with blood loss are:

• abdominal pain
• an unusually pale appearance
• fatigue
• maroon-colored or bright red or stools (can be from either a lower GI bleed or an upper GI bleed)
• shortness of breath
• vomiting of blood (usually this is from an upper GI bleed)
• weakness

See a Pradaxa® Injury Attorney about Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Individuals have died from gastrointestinal bleeding due to Pradaxa® treatment. Patients and their families who have suffered ill effects of Pradaxa® (dabigatran) are well advised to learn all that they can about their legal rights.

To speak with a Pradaxa® injury attorney during a free consultation, contact us today.