The leukemia drug Tasigna has been linked with atherosclerosis conditions that may, for some, lead to amputation or even a stroke. So far, several plaintiffs have chosen to file a Tasigna lawsuit against the drug’s manufacturer after suffering from a variety of complications.

Basics of Tasigna

Tasigna (also sold under the generic name nilotinib) is a treatment for leukemia specifically approved to treat chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia cancer. Tasigna is manufactured by Novartis, and was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2007.

Tasigna is part of a class of drugs known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Tasigna is now one of the most widely used cancer drugs available—in fact, in 2016 alone, Tasigna brought in $1.7 billion in sales. Unfortunately, despite its popularity, Tasigna has been associated with some severe complications.

Side Effects of Tasigna

More and more patients are claiming that they were not given adequate warning about the risks of Tasigna, including atherosclerosis. Essentially, when a patient suffers atherosclerosis, their artery walls thicken and plaque builds up, which limits essential blood flow and causes peripheral vascular disease.

Peripheral vascular disease, sometimes known as peripheral arterial disease (PAD), can involve symptoms including cramping, pain, or tiredness, as well as difficulty walking or climbing stairs. With rest, the symptoms of peripheral vascular disease often lessen, but physical activity once again sparks these symptoms.

The loss of blood circulation from peripheral vascular disease can become a serious risk, even leading to major cardiovascular issues. In extreme cases, when the artery becomes totally blocked from peripheral vascular disease, patients may suffer from gangrene or require limb amputation. A carotid artery affected by peripheral vascular disease may result in a stroke.

A post market review from the FDA noted that its findings “strongly suggest an association between nilotinib (Tasigna) and PAOD (peripheral arterial occlusive disease).” The FDA released its findings in 2013, and as a result, Novartis updated its Black Box warning label for Tasigna to include the risk of peripheral vascular disease.

In a recent Tasigna lawsuit, a Washington resident alleges that he suffered from a stroke after he was switched onto Tasigna. According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff’s use of Tasigna directly “caused him to develop rapidly progressing atherosclerosis in his carotid arteries,” resulting in the stroke.

The Tasigna lawsuit cites several studies that suggest that the risk of atherosclerosis related conditions is increased for those taking this leukemia medication in particular.

Novartis has noted that cases of cardiovascular events associated with Tasigna have included “heart disease-related events, peripheral arterial occlusive disease, and ischemic cerebrovascular events” reported by patients.

Filing a Tasigna Lawsuit

Some patients claim that Novartis was aware of the risk of Tasigna side effects, yet failed to warn the public and the medical community about these risks for a substantial period of time.

If you or someone you love has suffered from Tasigna side effects like peripheral vascular disease or related conditions, you may be able to file a Tasigna lawsuit against Novartis. Filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by these side effects, but it can help to alleviate the financial burden caused by medical expenses and lost wages.