The chemotherapy drug Tasigna may cause life-threatening atherosclerosis symptoms and other circulatory health problems.

Around the world, over a dozen studies have suggested that Tasigna, a drug used to treat myeloid leukemia may cause circulatory health problems.

Tasigna is a drug that is used to treat cancer cells by blocking a specific protein. It is one of a class of drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors. It is used to treat some forms of chronic myeloid leukemia — those that resist a “first line of defense” type of drug for the disease.

The side effects possible with Tasigna reportedly can include atherosclerosis, a condition in which the arteries swell and harden, making it harder for blood to pass through them. This condition in turn can reduce circulation so much that peripheral arterial disease develops.

Simply put, research suggests that Tasigna may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis, constricting a patient’s arteries. The blood loss to parts of the body can cause cardiovascular problems, limb amputation, stroke, heart attack, and even death in severe cases.

Other cardiovascular events associated with Tasigna use are ischemic heart disease-related events, peripheral arterial occlusive disease, and ischemic cerebrovascular events. 

These possible side effects are serious and could be threatening the lives of many patients. To make matters worse, it is possible that the makers of Tasigna knew of its link to atherosclerosis symptoms but failed to warn American consumers so they could maximize the profits they gained from the drug.

Canadian consumers and Canadian health authorities reportedly received a warning about the dangers associated with Tasigna long before American consumers or health officials were made aware. Health Canada, the Canadian government’s health agency, sent out a warning about the drug in 2013.

Canada’s 2013 health warning was based on a clinical trial that took place between 2005 and 2013 and analyzed Tasigna’s effect on cardiovascular health. The study reported at least 277 cases of Tasigna patients developing atherosclerosis symptoms.

However, American consumers were not notified until later. Though the FDA did send a letter to Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Tasigna’s maker, in 2010, taking issue with some of the company’s marketing of Tasigna. According to the FDA, the advertising associated with the drug did not accurately represent the risks associated with using Tasigna.

In 2015, Novartis agreed to pay the U.S. Department of Justice a $390 million settlement to resolve allegations that the company allegedly paid kickbacks to specialty pharmacies to promote Tasigna to patients. The DOJ also claimed that Tasigna gained more kickbacks from patient referrals and drug rebates.

“Novartis incentivized and pressured the pharmacies to emphasize benefits to patients while understanding the drug’s serious, potentially life-threatening side effects,” the DOJ said.

Patients who developed atherosclerosis and related complications after taking Tasigna may qualify to participate in a free Tasigna lawsuit investigation.