Patients who were allegedly unwarned about Tasigna cardiovascular effects may may be able to file a lawsuit against the drug manufacturers, holding them accountable for side effects of the chemotherapy drug.

Tasigna (nilotinib) is a chemotherapy drug often used in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia, a type of bone marrow cancer. The drug was developed by Novartis and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2007. Tasigna is currently one of the most popular chemotherapy drugs in the world, with over $1.7 billion in sales for 2017.

Despite its widespread use, Tasigna has notable side effects. When the drug was approved, the FDA required a black box warning related to the drug’s side effects. However, consumer reports suggest that Tasigna cardiovascular effects were not sufficiently warned about.

Tasigna Side Effects

One of the recently studied Tasigna cardiovascular effects is atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition that causes the thickening and hardening of arterial walls due to plaque buildup. This can lead to a narrowing of arteries which reduces blood flow and can cause further issues including peripheral arterial disease, coronary artery disease, circulatory issues, embolic occlusion, heart attack, stroke, infection, amputation, and death.

Of the many potential Tasigna cardiovascular effects, peripheral arterial disease is also reported. 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.

Because peripheral arterial disease symptoms resemble fatigue or muscle problems, the condition 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 of the possible Tasigna cardiovascular effects is coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease is similar to peripheral arterial disease except it impacts 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 risk of a fatal heart attack.

Tasigna Patients and Lawsuits

Patients who are treated with Tasigna may be unaware of the potential Tasigna cardiovascular effects they may suffer. Without an adequate warning, not only can they not make a properly informed decision, but they also cannot truly look after their health and be ready for possible complications.

Tasigna’s manufacturer now faces numerous Tasigna lawsuits alleging that the company was aware of the possible Tasigna cardiovascular effects including atherosclerosis, peripheral arterial disease, and coronary artery disease, but did not adequately 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.