Tasigna, a popular cancer drug, has been connected with a potentially devastating arterial condition. Many who undergo Tasigna chemotherapy claim that they did not know about the correlation between Tasigna chemotherapy and atherosclerosis.

How does Tasigna Chemotherapy Work?

Tasigna chemotherapy is used in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia or CML. Tasigna remains a highly popular chemotherapy drug, bringing in $1.7 billion worldwide in 2016 alone.

Generically known as nilotinib, Tasigna chemotherapy was originally approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat patients who were unable to be treated by other chemotherapy drugs. In those cases, the patients could not tolerate other CML chemotherapy drugs. Tasigna chemotherapy has since been approved to treat patients who are in the earlier stages of this disease.

CML is a bone marrow and blood cancer that is slow to progress. The body of a CML patient produces too many granulocytes, which are a type of white blood cell. These granulocytes are abnormal cells and do not turn into healthy cells. Tasigna chemotherapy inhibits the growth of tyrosine kinases. Tyrosine kinases are enzymes that stimulate the growth of cancerous cells.

Even though Tasigna chemotherapy has been successful in treating chronic myeloid leukemia patients, it has also been linked with an alarming condition affecting the arteries of patients.

Tasigna Chemotherapy and Athersclerosis

Critics claim that Tasigna chemotherapy and a dangerous condition known as atherosclerosis have been connected as far back as 2011.

In 2013, Tasigna chemotherapy manufacturer Novartis settled a lawsuit for $390 million with the Department of Justice. This settled claims of illegal kickbacks and false advertising claims regarding Tasigna chemotherapy. Warnings about Tasigna chemotherapy and its connection to atherosclerosis were added to the drug’s box in 2013 as well, but it was too late for many patients.

Atherosclerosis is a condition in which the arteries of the body swell, narrow and harden. This can restrict the flow of blood to vital parts of the body and can affect organs and limbs.

Atherosclerosis caused by Tasigna chemotherapy can lead to other potentially deadly conditions. These include:

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

When the walls of the body’s arteries become too narrow because of the buildup of plaque, a condition known as peripheral arterial disease (PAD) can occur.

The symptoms of peripheral arterial disease can affect many parts of the body including the arms, stomach, head and legs. Cramping, pain, tiredness in the hip and leg muscles, and difficulty climbing stairs or walking are all symptoms of peripheral arterial disease. If a patient rests, the pain often goes away. But when the patient returns to activity, the pain often comes back.

Peripheral arterial disease and atherosclerosis can also be the cause of blood clots. When the plaque from the artery’s interior becomes inflamed, it can break and trigger a blood clot. If a blood clot remains in the peripheral arteries, more pain can ensue. Also, skin color changes, sores and ulcers on the skin and additional difficulty walking can be the result. In severe cases, gangrene, limb amputation and stroke can occur.

If you have taken Tasigna chemotherapy for chronic myeloid leukemia, you may be eligible for legal compensation.