Gastrointestinal bleeding treatment can take a variety of forms. If the gastrointestinal bleeding is linked to Pradaxa® use, the GI bleeding treatment may differ from that administered for other cases, but the main goal of all gastrointestinal bleeding treatments is to stop the bleeding (and therefore stop the blood loss).
How to Treat Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Gastrointestinal bleeding treatment can only be done by medical professionals in a healthcare facility. There's no "home remedy" or treatment for a GI bleed, whether it's an upper GI bleed, a lower GI bleed, or stomach bleeding. When a person taking Pradaxa® notes heavy gastrointestinal bleeding symptoms, he or she should contact a physician immediately. If the physician cannot be reached, an emergency room visit is advisable.
Types of Gastrointestinal Bleeding Treatment
Severe gastrointestinal bleeding can cause a person's blood pressure to fall sharply, and his or her heart rate may increase to dangerous levels. There are several types of gastrointestinal bleeding treatment, including the following:
- for an upper GI bleed, proton pump inhibitor medication may be administered to help a bleeding lesion heal
- fluid resuscitation (blood transfusion and/or intravenous fluids)
- tranexamic acid administration to reduce fibrinolysis
- a laparotomy may be required to identify the source of the bleeding
- esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD/OGD) can identify the source(s) of the bleeding
- sclerotherapy
- electrocoagulation
- vascular clipping
Consult a Plaintiffs' Law Firm about Pradaxa® (dabigatran)
Pradaxa® is being investigated by the FDA in light of its serious risk of inducing gastrointestinal bleeding. In late 2011, the European counterpart to the FDA, The European Medicines Agency, described 256 cases of fatal bleeding linked to Pradaxa® treatment. The FDA has already required stronger warnings on the labeling that accompanies Pradaxa®, and there may be more changes to come.
If you have undergone gastrointestinal bleeding treatment while you were taking Pradaxa® (dabigatran exetilate), you should know that you have the option to discuss your circumstances with a law firm that helps individuals who have been harmed by medications.
To learn more, contact our Pradaxa® injury lawyers today.
