Tasigna lawsuit numbers continue to grow after a link was established between the drug used to treat Philadelphia-chromosome positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and arteriosclerosis in a published study.

The study was published in a specialty medical journal called the American Journal of Hematology in 2016.Its data suggested that CML patients using Tasigna were thrown into a higher risk category for the development of central and peripheral artery disease, often referred to as PAD or “hardening of the arteries.”

The risk of plaque build-up affecting the flow of oxygenated blood through the circulatory system could put the Tasigna taker at risk for sudden death through cardiac arrest.

The Tasigna lawsuit cases are directed toward Novartis—the manufacturer and promoter of the CML treatment medication. Novartis sought and gained the approval of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for commercially marketing Tasigna in 2007.

Along with other medications in its category, Tasigna blocks the production of a certain protein which essentially feeds and allows cancer to grow. When Bcr-ABl is inhibited, this growth is retarded and CML is brought under control in the best of circumstances.

On a website which Novartis set up to promote Tasigna, a warning is posted regarding the drug contributing to a cardiovascular issue called QTc prolongation. This QTc prolongation produces heart rhythm problems that can result in the sudden demise of a patient.

This cardiovascular issue was worthy of a black box warning on the label, but those that have filed a Tasigna lawsuit often claim that they have experienced rapidly progressing arteriosclerosis-type circulatory issues after starting to take the CML medicine instead.

In their respective Tasigna lawsuit narratives, plaintiffs cite situations where they were diagnosed with partial to nearly complete arterial blockages which were deemed irreversible by medical care professionals.

According to reports, the CML drug had its label changed by Novartis for the market in Canada as early as 2013. The label change included the increased arteriosclerosis risk. No effort was made, however, to change out the label for the U.S. market and medical professionals and consumers remained ignorant of this potentially deadly side effect.

One of the more recent Tasigna lawsuit filings was made by a man from Washington State. He claims he was diagnosed with CML and had been taking another drug for the disease which is also produced by Novartis known as Gleevec.

After he went into remission, his physician suggested that he begin a medication regimen with Tasigna. He alleges he didn’t have any medical history of heart-related problems or familial cardiovascular disease at the time the prescription was initiated.

The Washington State plaintiff claims in his Tasigna lawsuit that despite not having this medical history, within weeks of ingesting the drug daily, he experienced a debilitating stroke. His legal claim alleges that the CML treatment with Tasigna contributed to arteriosclerosis which rapidly started blocking his carotid arteries from providing oxygenated blood to his brain.

If you or a loved one have taken Tasigna for CML and experienced severe cardiovascular issues related to arteriosclerosis, you may have a legal claim.