Lawyers investigate possible atherosclerosis risk factors with taking Tasigna, a chemotherapy drug.  If you or a loved one had chronic myeloid leukemia and experienced cardiovascular or circulatory issues after taking the chemotherapy drug Tasigna, you may have a legal claim.

The drug is thought to impact the circulatory system, and is linked to the following symptoms:

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

According to more than a dozen studies, Tasigna is linked to atherosclerosis risk factors. Atherosclerosis is the clogging and narrowing of the arteries, which can cause peripheral arterial disease. This condition causes arteries to swell, restricting blood flow to parts of the body. This can lead to cardiovascular problems, lack of blood flow, which in turn can necessitate amputation. These problems can be serious, and can even be fatal.

Atherosclerosis is caused when plaque builds up inside the artery walls, causing the opening on the arteries to narrow and putting pressure on the blood flow. When the arteries narrow significantly, peripheral arterial disease can result.

If you took Tasigna and experienced symptoms such as leg cramps or pain or tiredness in the leg or hip muscles while walking or climbing stairs, you may be experiencing peripheral arterial disease and could have a legal claim. These symptoms typically are more noticeable while exercising and go away when a patient is at rest.

Tasigna (nilotinib) is one of the most popular chemotherapy drugs used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia. In 2016, over drug companies sold over $1.7 billion worth of the drug. It as approved in 2007 with a Black Box warning of a number of serious side effects, however, this warning did not warn of atherosclerosis risk factors with Tasigna and related complications. A Black Box warning is the most serious warning that the Food and Drug administration can assign to a drug.

Allegedly, it was not until several years later that the public was warned of the atherosclerosis risk factors with Tasigna, as well as other cardiovascular risk factors.

In 2013, the FDA conducted a postmarket review of Tasigna, bringing together information from patients in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Based on this research, the FDA determined that data strongly suggested “an association between nilotinib (Tasigna) and PAOD (peripheral arterial occlusive disease). Only after the FDA put pressure on Novartis was a warning about atherosclerosis added to the drug’s label.

Many Tasigna patients have already filed lawsuits against Novartis, the company that manufactures Tasigna. Allegedly, the company knew of the atherosclerosis risk factors with Tasigna but failed to warn American patients.

Joining a Tasigna lawsuit could help you gain compensation for the physical, financial, and emotional injury you suffered from taking the drug. If Novartis is found to be negligent in their research about the risks of the drug or in warning the public about possible Tasigna side effects like atherosclerosis risk factors with Tasigna, they could be held accountable for patient injury.