A class action investigation is looking into potential claims against Novartis, after numerous patients reportedly suffered from adverse side effects from Tasigna medication. This class action investigation primarily pertains to patients who suffered a cardiovascular event or cardiac problems not long after being prescribed Tasigna medication for chemotherapy.

In addition to the injury reports, over a dozen studies have linked Tasigna medication with potentially fatal atherosclerosis or narrowing and hardening of the arteries. This problem can compound into peripheral arterial disease, which can evolve into potentially fatal cardiac complications including:

• Coronary Artery Disease
• Embolic Occlusion
• Heart Attack
• Stroke
• Infection

When the arteries swell, it slows down blood flow to different body parts like the arms, legs, heart, and brain. The reduction in blood flow can also cause a need for limb amputation.

Tasigna medication is prescribed to treat a specific type of blood cancer, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), which works by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. Tasigna medication was approved by the FDA in 2007, and has been prescribed to numerous patients and has earned Novartis billions in sales. While Tasigna’s warning label did contain a black box warning at the time of its release, the patient population was reportedly not warned against atherosclerosis and other cardiac complications until recently.

Overview of Tasigna Atherosclerosis Correlation

There have been several studies published in major medical journals in different countries like the United States, Canada, and Europe, which have indicated a link between the Tasigna medication to atherosclerosis.

One of these inquiries was a 2011 study finding that 25 percent of Tasigna patients studied had developed vascular side effects, and that 16 percent of patients had developed peripheral arterial disease. This was the first inquiry to observe a potential connection between Tasigna and atherosclerosis, with many other studies finding similar results.

Since 2013, nine other studies have been published indicating the correlation. Among these inquiries, an FDA post market review that had analyzed research from Europe, Canada, and the United States. The FDA’s findings had found strong evidence of an “association between nilotinib (Tasigna) and PAOD (peripheral arterial occlusive disease).”

These findings spurred an update to the Tasigna medication warning label to include atherosclerosis, in the hopes of preventing other patients from experiencing this condition. Atherosclerosis can potentially develop into peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which occurs when the arteries narrow to dangerous levels.

Peripheral arterial disease typically affects the legs, arms, stomach, and head, with patients often experiencing pain or fatigue doing basic activities like walking. It is important to note that the effects of atherosclerosis may be permanent, with patients suffering from constant risk of blood clot formation.

Blood clots that are lodged in peripheral arteries, primarily in the legs, can be painful and can eventually cause circulation loss in the legs or feet. Blood clots may eventually find their way to the brain, where they can cause a stroke.

Even though these complications can be potentially fatal to patients, patient advocates suspect Novartis may have failed to adequately warn the general public against Tasigna atherosclerosis.