If you have been treated for chronic myeloid leukemia with chemotherapy drug Tasigna, you could be at risk for Tasigna atherosclerosis.

Novartis reportedly made $1.7 billion from sales of the chemo drug in 2016 alone. The company allegedly hid the side effects of Tasigna from doctors and patients in the United States despite issuing notices throughout Canada.

The FDA approved Tasigna, generically known as nilotinib, in 2007 to treat chronic myeloid leukemia, a cancer that begins in the bone marrow’s blood-forming cells. Myeloid cells create red blood cells, platelets and certain kinds of white blood cells.

Chronic myeloid leukemia occurs when a genetic change causes an abnormal gene to develop. The abnormal gene, known specifically as BCR-ABL, turns the myeloid cell into a chronic myeloid leukemia cell. As these leukemia cells grow, they also divide and enter the bloodstream, allowing them to potentially land in bodily organs, such as the spleen.

The American Cancer Society predicts about 8,990 new cases of chronic myeloid leukemia will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2019. Of those, 5,250 will occur in men and 3,740 in women. Of those, 1,140 people will die of the disease.

Tasigna works by blocking the enzyme that enables the leukemia cells to keep growing. Tasigna atherosclerosis allegedly can begin upon the first chemotherapy treatment.

A member of the drug classification known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), Tasigna also can affect the heart’s rhythm by causing prolonged QT syndrome. Despite few or no symptoms, prolonged QT syndrome can be deadly. Patients are advised to have an EKG done before starting Tasigna and while taking the chemo drug.

Tasigna Atherosclerosis is Irreversible

According to at least one lawsuit filed in 2016, atherosclerosis is not reversible.

Novartis faced a wrongful death lawsuit after a man died of a massive stroke in March 2014. The lawsuit alleged that Tasigna treatments for his chronic myeloid leukemia caused him to suffer from 100 narrowed femoral arteries and a 40 to 60 percent narrowing of his coronary arteries. When his cerebral arteries became 70 percent narrowed, he suffered a fatal stroke.

His family said Novartis knew that Tasigna could cause dangerous and irreversible side effects because the company had warned the medical community and consumers in Canada of the serious side effects. That case was settled in November 2018, but was sealed by court order because the lawsuit was brought forth on behalf of his minor child.

Novartis now lists “cardiac and arterial vascular occlusive events” and “sudden deaths” in its important safety information section of its website.

Atherosclerosis is a hardening and narrowing of the arteries, which restricts blood flow. Atherosclerosis causes heart attacks, strokes and peripheral vascular disease, all of which are called cardiovascular disease. Therefore, the “cardiac and arterial vascular occlusive events” referred to on the Tasigna website are caused by atherosclerosis, which the medication allegedly initiates.

Other Tasigna side effects can include:

• Anemia
• Easy bruising and/or bleeding
• Hair loss
• Mouth sores
• Sore throat
• Painful urination
• Stomach pain
• Joint pain
• Rapid weight gain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Liver problems
• Kidney problems
• Irregular heartbeat