There have been a number of Tasigna side effects linked to the popular cancer medication, prescribed for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia. These have included arteriosclerosis, circulatory issues, heart attack, stroke, and death. These side effects can also cause even more serious adverse effects and complications.

Those who have suffered and developed arteriosclerosis or any number of the adverse Tasigna side effects reported may be eligible to file a Tasigna lawsuit. This is especially the case if the development of arteriosclerosis caused and resulted in heart attack, stroke, amputations, cardiovascular disease, or death.

Overview: Tasigna Side Effects

Tasigna (nilotinib) became approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2007. It is prescribed to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and for treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia, a cancer that begins in the bone marrow.

It is a twice-per-day tablet that inhibits a tyrosine kinase protein called Bcr-Abl, a protein that aides the growth of leukemia cells. However, in April 2013, the Canadian information for Tasigna was updated to include a specific related side effect known as arteriosclerosis linked to Tasigna.

Health Canada reported on the side effects related to the development of arteriosclerosis linked to Tasigna. They reported on the clinical trials that had been conducted.  Researchers reportedly discovered the following:

• The development of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (the clogging, narrowing, and hardening of the arteries, that supply blood to the legs and arms).
• Femoral artery stenosis (narrowing and hardening of upper thigh arteries)
• Coronary artery stenosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries of the heart which causes the development of angina, or pain in the chest.
• Carotid artery stenosis (hardening and narrowing of the carotid artery located in the neck)
• Stroke, also known as cerebrovascular accident.

What seems to be worse is that with the development of arteriosclerosis, an individual may also develop peripheral arterial disease. Peripheral arterial disease, or PAD is the circulatory condition that causes reduced blood flow to the limbs because of narrowed blood vessels.

An adverse side effect of this is that with narrowed and swelled up arteries, including a decrease in blood flow to the heart, arms, legs, and brain, limb amputation may be the result and death can occur.

Symptoms of PAD can include pain, tiredness and cramping in the hip and leg muscles while walking or climbing stairs. Additionally, although these symptoms fade away with rest, they can typically creep up again with activity.

According to Health Canada, “A review of the Novartis global safety database search (between January 1^st, 2005 and January 31, 2013) identified a total of 277 cases of atherosclerosis, of which 14 were Canadian cases.” Arteriosclerosis can lead to several serious complications including:

• Angina
• Coronary heart disease
• Carotid artery disease
• Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
• Chronic kidney disease
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Amputations
• Death