Chronic myeloid leukemia drugs like Tasigna (nilotinib) are vital for patients who are suffering for this unusual blood cancer, which often requires intense treatment regimens.

These chronic myeloid leukemia drugs treat this slow progressing disease, which usually occurs in adults and rarely in children.

However, one of the most prominent of these drugs, Tasigna, has been linked to serious complications like atherosclerosis and potentially fatal cardiac complications. Tasigna was approved by the FDA in 2007 to be a treatment drug for chronic myeloid leukemia, and has become one of the most popular choices for this situation.

Given that Tasigna is a primary treatment choice for chronic myeloid leukemia, it is prescribed to numerous patients every year for their chemotherapy. However, Tasigna has recently been linked to potentially fatal health side effects, which has left the medical community wary.

Tasigna and other chronic myeloid leukemia drugs are vital to the patient population, so it is important for physicians to understand the full extent of potential complications.

Overview of Tasigna Complications

At the time Tasigna was approved, it came with a black box warning regarding serious side effects. But patients complain they were not made aware of the risk of atherosclerosis.

This condition causes the heart’s artery walls to swell and harden, which complicates blood flow in the body. After the arteries narrow to a certain point, atherosclerosis could develop into peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Peripheral arterial disease symptoms typically manifest in the legs, but can also affect the arms, stomach, and heard. PAD symptoms like cramping and pain typically dissipate with increased physical activiy, to help improve circulation in the legs.

However, if PAD symptoms are allowed to worsen, it can cause blood clots to form in the legs and can lead to potential cardiac attacks or stroke. In addition, the chronic circulation loss can also case limb amputation and other permanent injuries.

Over a dozen studies have linked Tasigna to atherosclerosis, with inquiries being published in the United States, Canada, and Europe. The first study to indicate a link between Tasigna and atherosclerosis was published in 2011, which found that 25 percent of patients experienced vascular issues and 16 percent of patients suffered peripheral arterial disease.

Just two years later in 2013, nine other studies observing the alleged Tasigna atherosclerosis had been published. One of these inquiries was a post market review form the FDA that reviewed injury reports submitted in the United States, along with research from Canada, Europe, and additional inquiries from the United States.

The FDA stated that these findings “strongly suggest an association between nilotinib (Tasigna) and PAOD (peripheral arterial occlusive disease).” After reviewing these findings, the FDA eventually added atherosclerosis to Tasigna’s warning label.

Manufacturer Novartis was allegedly aware of the alleged association, but had failed to notify the general public. Patients who have developed atherosclerosis or other serious side effects, may be eligible to file legal action to seek compensation for any damages.