Patients who experienced Tasigna cardiovascular disease after being treated with the chemotherapy drug may be eligible to recover compensation through a Tasigna lawsuit.

Tasigna (nilotinib) is a chemotherapy agent commonly used in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia, a variety of bone marrow cancer. Novartis is the manufacturer of Tasigna and gained approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2007. Tasigna has become widely successful since its approval in 2007, making over $1.7 billion in 2017 worldwide sales.

However, the successful drug has been linked to cardiovascular side effects, with some patients reporting arteriosclerosis leading to Tasigna cardiovascular disease.

Arteriosclerosis buildup of plaque causes the thickening and hardening of artery walls. This change in arterial walls can reduce blood flow and, because the plaque can become brittle and inflamed, can break and trigger a blockage.

The condition can also lead to further side effects including Tasigna cardiovascular disease, circulatory issues, embolic occlusion, heart attack, stroke, infection, amputation, and death. The most common outcome associated with the chemotherapy drug is Tasigna cardiovascular disease, which presents itself as either peripheral arterial disease or coronary artery disease.

Peripheral arterial disease involves the narrowing of arteries not found in the heart – including arteries in the stomach, legs, arms, and head. Common symptoms of peripheral arterial disease closely resemble muscle fatigue and routine soreness, so the condition can often be overlooked if cardiovascular disease is not a concern for the patient. However, the condition is far more dangerous than routine muscle soreness and can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. If left untreated, peripheral arterial disease can cause circulatory issues potentially leading to gangrene and amputation.

Another possible type of Tasigna cardiovascular disease is coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease is similar to peripheral arterial disease, except it involves the thickening and narrowing of the arteries in the hearts. Common symptoms of coronary artery disease include chest pain, fatigue, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath. There are serious risks associated with coronary artery disease, as the condition increases the risk of experiencing a fatal heart attack.

Consumers argue that Novartis does not warn patients and physicians that Tasigna cardiovascular disease is a risk of treatment with the chemotherapy drug. Because cardiovascular conditions require extensive monitoring, consumers claim that they are put at additional risk because they do not know to look for the development of Tasigna cardiovascular disease. Additionally, patients argue that they and their doctors were not able to make an informed decision regarding treatment because they were not informed of the risk for Tasigna cardiovascular disease.

If you or a loved one experienced Tasigna cardiovascular disease, you may qualify to participate in a Tasigna lawsuit. An experienced Tasigna attorney can evaluate your case and help you decide whether or not to file a lawsuit against Novartis. Should you chose to file a Tasigna cardiovascular disease lawsuit, you could potentially recover compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more.