If you were unaware of a Tasigna atherosclerosis risk at the time you received the chemotherapy drug, you could be eligible for compensation.

Tasigna (nilotinib) was FDA-approved in 2007 to treat chronic myeloid leukemia. Novartis makes Tasigna, which made $1.7 billion for the drug company in the year 2016 alone.

Novartis allegedly delayed issuing warnings in the United Stated regarding the Tasigna atherosclerosis risk.

Atherosclerosis is the term for hardening of the arteries, which can mean arteries suffer from clogging, narrowing or hardening. When the arterial walls become thickened with plaque, blood flow becomes restricted. Atherosclerosis becomes life-threatening when it progresses to peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

This particular Tasigna atherosclerosis risk stems from the fact that Tasigna causes arteries to swell, restricting the flow of blood to the arms, legs, heart, brain and other organs. Eventually, the body suffers from inadequate blood flow and the patient may develop cardiovascular problems, need limbs amputated or even, face death.

Tasigna Atherosclerosis Risk and PAD

When atherosclerosis progresses to peripheral arterial disease (PAD), the patient develops painful muscle cramps in the hips, thighs or calves when climbing stairs, exercising or in severe cases, even walking. These cramps indicate the body is not properly circulating an adequate blood supply to meet the demands of body movement.

Other symptoms of PAD might include:

• Wounds on the foot or toe that won’t heal
• A large decrease in the temperature of one leg’s foot or lower part of the leg compared to the other leg
• Inhibited nail growth on the toes or hair growth on the legs
• Erectile dysfunction, especially in men with diabetes

The Tasigna atherosclerosis risk has been established by more than a dozen studies completed around the world. The initial study from 2011 determined a quarter of Tasigna patients experienced vascular problems and an additional 16 percent of Tasigna patients developed PAD.

The severe loss of adequate circulation can lead to gangrene and limb amputation. If the carotid artery becomes blocked, the patient can suffer a stroke.

If a piece of plaque in the artery becomes brittle, it may break away and cause the formation of a blood clot, which then further narrows the artery or even blocks it.

Novartis finally added a warning to Tasigna’s label regarding the Tasigna atherosclerosis risk in 2013, but by that time, it was too late for many patients.

If you have experienced any of a number of circulatory issues after taking Tasigna, you could be eligible for compensation and could benefit by speaking to a lawyer. Among the problems that are associated with the Tasigna atherosclerosis risk are:

• Atherosclerosis
• Peripheral arterial disease
• Coronary artery disease
• Circulatory problems of the extremities, heart or brain
• Embolic occlusion
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Infection
• Amputation
• Death

If you have suffered from any of these Tasigna side effects, you could be eligible to be compensated for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, wrongful death or other unanticipated expenses.