Tasigna manufacturers face legal action over allegations that the chemotherapy drug can cause cardiovascular problems such as peripheral arterial disease.

Tasigna (nilotinib) is a chemotherapy drug commonly used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia, a type of bone marrow cancer. Tasigna was developed by Novartis and approved by the FDA in 2007. The drug is one of the most popular cancer drugs in the world with over $1.7 billion in sales during 2017.

Tasigna was approved with a black box warning regarding side effects, but the label does not warn of the risk of atherosclerosis which has been repeatedly linked to the drug.

Atherosclerosis is a condition that causes arterial walls to thicken and harden due to plaque buildup. This can lead to a narrowing of arteries, which reduces blood flow and can lead to further issues. The condition can lead to peripheral arterial disease as well as circulatory issues, embolic occlusion, heart attack, stroke, infection, amputation, and death.

Peripheral arterial disease is characterized by narrowing of the arteries in the stomachs, legs, arms, and head. Common symptoms of peripheral arterial disease include cramping in the lower extremities and pain or tiredness in the leg or hip muscles. Peripheral arterial disease is often mistaken for something else by both patients and doctors.

Patients with peripheral arterial disease are at a higher risk of coronary artery disease, heart attack, or stroke. If left untreated, the circulatory issues associated with peripheral arterial disease can lead to serious complications such as gangrene and amputation.

Another risk associated with Tasigna is coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease is similar to peripheral arterial disease except it affects the heart’s arteries instead of arteries in the extremities.

Common side effects of coronary artery disease include chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, and fatigue. The true danger of coronary artery disease is that it increases the change of coronary heart disease, which increases the risk of a fatal heart attack.

The first study regarding the risks of Tasigna was published in 2011. The study found that 25 percent of patients experienced circulatory or vascular problems and 16 percent of patients experienced peripheral arterial disease.

In 2013, nine more Tasigna atherosclerosis studies were published, one of which was a post-market study review from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In the review, the FDA said that its findings “strongly suggest an association between nilotinib (Tasigna) and PAOD (peripheral arterial occlusive disease)”. Only after the FDA announced its findings did a warning for atherosclerosis get added to Tasigna’s label.

Tasigna’s manufacturer now faces numerous Tasigna lawsuits alleging that the company was aware of the risks of atherosclerosis, peripheral arterial disease, and coronary artery disease but did not disclose the risks to patients and medical professionals.

If you or a loved one were diagnosed with atherosclerosis, peripheral arterial disease, or other Tasigna side effects, you may be eligible for legal action. A Tasigna lawsuit could help recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, permanent disability, pain and suffering, wrongful death, funeral expenses, and more.