Pradaxa (Dabigatran) Lawsuits

By Independent Staff Writer

March of 2012 saw the first lawsuits filed against Boehringer Ingelheim, the manufacturer of Pradaxa. This drug was the first of its type to be marketed in over half a century, and Boehringer had high hopes that Pradaxa would knock its only competitor, Warfarin, out of the running in short order. Pradaxa works differently from Warfarin; while both drugs are used to prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, Warfarin works by inhibiting the production of Vitamin K, a clotting agent in the body. Should there be excessive bleeding in a patient who has taken Warfarin, doses of Vitamin K can be administered to slow the bleeding. Pradaxa, on the other hand, works by inhibiting thrombin, an enzyme in the blood which also controls blood clotting. At this time there is no known antidote to Pradaxa in the event it leads to excessive or uncontrollable bleeding.

What is Atrial Fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation affects more than two million Americans and is characterized by rapid, uncoordinated contractions in the upper chambers of the heart. Patients with atrial fibrillation are at a much higher risk of developing blood clots, and since the 1950’s doctors have been using Warfarin—which is also known as Coumadin—to help lessen the likelihood of stroke. The FDA approved Pradaxa for use in patients with atrial fibrillation in October of 2010, yet less than a year later reports were coming in regarding serious side effects and even death among Pradaxa users. In December of 2011, in the face of hundreds of adverse reports, the FDA issued a safety warning to patients and physicians, stating they would taking a hard look at the prior Pradaxa studies.

The Dangers of Pradaxa (Dabigatran): Part 1 of 3: Side Effects and Complications

By Independent Staff Writer

The newest drug approved for use in the treatment of heart valve problems or atrial fibrillation among patients with an increased risk of stroke is the drug Pradaxa, manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim. The drug Boehringer is seeking to replace with its newest arrival is Warfarin—a blood-thinning drug which has been used since the early 1950’s. Boehringer claims that Pradaxa is over 30% better in decreasing the risk of a serious stroke than Warfarin. The FDA initially agreed with Boehringer, granting FDA approval of Pradaxa in October of 2010.

What is Atrial Fibrillation and How Does Pradaxa Help?

Atrial fibrillation affects over two million Americans and involves excessively rapid, uncoordinated contractions of the upper two chambers of the heart. Those with atrial fibrillation are at a much higher risk of developing blood clots which in turn can lead to a disabling stroke should the clot travel to the brain. Pradaxa works by inhibiting thrombin, an enzyme in the blood which controls blood clotting.

High-Profile Divorces

By Megan Breckenridge, Staff Writer
SULLO & SULLO, LLP

HOUSTON—We’ve all heard the sobering statistics about divorce rates in the United States, where the cost of dissolving a marriage is relatively low and the process simple. But for high-profile couples with piles of cash and material assets, parting ways can be a costly and complicated affair.

Anyone with cable or Internet access knows the sordid details of Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren’s split, which is rumored will soon be settled for a staggering $100 million. Amazingly, theirs will not be the most expensive A-list divorce to date. Here is a look some of the costliest celebrity divorces:

1. Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall.Estimated settlement: $15 to 25 million.

The Rolling Stones’ front man and sexy supermodel met in 1977 and had two children together before tying the knot in a traditional Hindi wedding ceremony in Bali, Indonesia in 1990. Hall filed for divorce in 1999 after learning that Jagger had fathered a child with another woman. Jagger, worth an estimated $325 million at the time, successfully challenged the legality of the Balinese wedding and was granted an annulment. Hall walked away with only a fraction of his estate.

2. Michael and Diandra Douglas.Estimated settlement: $45 million.

The couple met in 1977 at a Jimmy Carter inauguration party and wed six weeks later. During the course of their marriage, Michael became one of Hollywood’s top earning actors, starring in box office hits like Fatal Attraction, Wall Street and Basic Instinct. Amid rumors of the actor’s infidelities and alcohol abuse, the couple separated in 1998. Diandra was awarded an estimated $45 million in 2000, plus homes in Beverly Hills and Majorca.

In June 2010, the couple returned to court to dispute Diandra’s claim to a portion of the proceeds from Michael’s upcoming Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps. If the film is ruled to be a spin-off of the original Wall Street, which Michael filmed while they were together, Diandra will be entitled to a share of his earnings per their divorce settlement.

3. James Cameron and Linda Hamilton.Estimated settlement: $50 million.

The famed director wed the star of his first two Terminator movies in July 1997. Though their marriage lasted a mere 18 months, they conceived a daughter together during that time. Their divorce settled shortly after Titanic was released, and Cameron was forced to give Hamilton more than half of the film’s revenues.

4. Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Mills.Estimated settlement: $50 million.

The Beatles rocker married the former model and charity campaigner in 2002, with McCartney reportedly shunning Mills’ offer of a prenuptial agreement. In 2006, the pair began bitter divorce proceedings, which garnered a great deal of press and were not resolved until March of 2008. They have a daughter together who, in addition to Mills’ nearly $50 million settlement, will receive over $44,000 per year until her 18th birthday.