Individuals who experienced cardiovascular effects after being treated with Tasigna can contact a Tasigna attorney to see if they are eligible for legal action and monetary recovery.

Tasigna (nilotinib) is a chemotherapy drug commonly used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia, a type of bone marrow cancer. Tasigna is manufactured by Novartis and was approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2007. Since its approval, Tasigna has become a widely used chemotherapy agent and made over $1.7 billion in worldwide sales for 2017.

Tasigna has recently been linked with cardiovascular side effects, prompting some patients to seek legal compensation with the help of a Tasigna attorney. Plaintiffs in Tasigna lawsuits often argue that Novartis did not sufficiently warn patients and physicians of potential cardiovascular side effects including atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosisis a condition involving the thickening and hardening of arterial walls due to plaque buildup. The narrowing and hardening of arteries can cause reduced blood flow and further cardiovascular side effects such as peripheral arterial disease, coronary artery disease, circulatory issues, embolic occlusion, heart attack, stroke, infection, amputation, and death.

Peripheral arterial disease, a potential outcome of Tasigna induced atherosclerosis, is the most common side effect experienced by Tasigna patients. Peripheral arterial disease is the narrowing of arteries in the stomach, legs, arms, and head.

Common symptoms of the condition include cramping in the lower extremities and pain or tiredness in the leg or hip muscles. These symptoms are often mistaken for fatigue or routine muscle soreness, especially in active patients, so the condition is often overlooked or mistaken for something else by both patients and doctors.

Individuals with peripheral arterial disease are at a higher risk for coronary artery disease, heart attack, or stroke. If left untreated, peripheral arterial disease can lead to circulatory issues which can cause gangrene and amputation.

Many Tasigna patients also experience coronary artery disease. Similar to peripheral arterial disease, coronary artery disease involves the thickening and narrowing of arteries although the condition affects the arteries of the heart. Common side effects of the condition include chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and fatigue. Additional risks are associated with coronary artery disease as it increases a patient’s risk of fatal heart attack.

Because Tasigna does not contain a warning for atherosclerosis, many patients treated with the drug are unaware of their risks. Cardiovascular conditions require extensive monitoring, and many patients argue that the lack of warning puts them at additional risk, since they are less likely to monitor their heart health.

Patients have also claimed that they could not make an informed decision to be treated with Tasigna due to the lack of warning regarding atherosclerosis, peripheral arterial disease, and coronary artery disease.

If you or a loved one developed cardiovascular side effects after being treating with Tasigna, you may be able to speak to a Tasigna attorney who could evaluate your situation. A Tasigna attorney could help you decide whether or not to file a lawsuit against drug manufacturers. Should you and Tasigna attorney chose to move forward with a lawsuit, you could potentially recover compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more.