Patients suffering from blood cancer chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) have to contend with a number of CML treatment side effects, and have to be wary against adverse Tasigna side effects.

These Tasigna complications include serious health problems like atherosclerosis, which compounds the already fragile condition of the patients who are probably suffering from CML treatment side effects.

While all chemotherapy treatments come with complications, the severity of CML treatment side effects can be especially devastating when combined with the severity of the disease. As a general rule, patients with more intense treatments can expect more severe chemotherapy symptoms.

Chemotherapy works by killing rapidly reproducing cells, which means that normal cells are targeted along with cancer cells. Like others undergoing chemotherapy, patients may experience chemotherapy CML treatment side effects such as:

• Interfere with the bone marrow’s ability to produce sufficient blood cells
• Increased risk of infection
• Nausea and vomiting
• Changes in sense of taste and smell
• Inflammation in the lining of the mouth and throat
• Damage to the lining of the bowel wall
• Hair loss
• Fatigue

With the severity of these CML treatment side effects, the concern of Tasigna complications is especially prominent in the patient population and medical community.

Overview of Tasigna CML Treatment Side Effects

Tasigna (nilotinib) is a chemotherapy medication that is specially used to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia, which works by slowing or inhibiting the production of these cancer cells. As a chemotherapy medication, the dosage patients are prescribed based on the regime from their oncologist.

Tasigna was approved by the FDA in 2007, and has since become one of the most popular cancer treatment drugs in the world. Tasigna was approved with a Black Box warning label regarding other drug complications, but patients complain they were not adequately warned against the alleged correlation with atherosclerosis and other serious health complications for years.

Atherosclerosis is described as when the arteries close or narrow, which can result in peripheral arterial disease. When the arteries swell, blood flow to the legs, arms, heart, and brain are severely restricted, which can cardiovascular problems, limb amputation, and even death. The Tasigna CML treatment side effects patients are at risk include, but not limited to:

• Atherosclerosis
• Peripheral Arterial Disease
• Coronary Artery Disease
• Circulation Problems
• Embolic Occlusion
• Heart Attack
• Stroke
• Infection
• Amputation
• Death

Over a dozen studies have linked Tasigna CML treatment side effects to atherosclerosis, with these inquiries published in the United States, Canada, and Europe. The first inquiry to observe this alleged correlation was published in 2011, which that 25 percent of Tasigna patients experienced vascular problems and 16 percent of patients developed peripheral arterial disease.

Just two years later, nine other studies investigating the potential link between Tasigna CML treatment side effects and atherosclerosis were published. One of these inquiries was a postmarket review from the FDA, which included injury reports from the United States along with research from the United States, Canada, and Europe.

Even though these Tasigna CML treatment side effects are potentially fatal, manufacturer Novartis may have failed to warn the general public about them. Patients who experienced these Tasigna CML treatment side effects may be able to file legal action to seek compensation.