Tasigna (nilotinib), a global leader in cancer drugs, has recently been found to cause serious and life-threatening side effects. Tasigna problems may present without warning and can include infections, tissue death, coronary artery disease, and stroke, which may result in limb amputation, cardiovascular problems, and death. While Canadian consumers were warned of the risk of Tasigna side effects in 2013, American patients and doctors are just learning about the risks associated with the drug.
In regards to Tasigna peripheral arterial disease and atherosclerosis, American patients are learning popular treatment methods are not necessarily safe. The drug has become a standard treatment used around the world for the treatment of leukemia. However, the prevalence of Tasigna may have more to do with how the drug was promoted than any particular advantages it offers for patients. In fact, Novartis settled a lawsuit with the U.S. Department of Justice in 2015, paying $390 billion to resolve allegations of Tasigna misbranding and the payment of illegal kickbacks to doctors for use of the drug. Tasigna is manufactured by Novartis International AG, a Swiss pharmaceutical company, and is used specifically to treat Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.
Recent studies show that Tasigna patients have an unacceptably high rate of atherosclerosis. Tasigna atherosclerosis is particularly dangerous because it develops precipitously, or very quickly and without warning. Without knowing to look for this condition, medical professionals are not well-equipped to respond. Life-threatening and irreversible health conditions and death have resulted from Tasigna atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis is a dangerous thickening of the arterial walls, caused by an increase in white blood cells. This causes a fibrofatty plaque to build up, essentially narrowing the channel through which blood can flow - a condition known as peripheral arterial disease, which can result in a range of serious side effects and complications.
In patients taking Tasigna peripheral arterial disease (PAD) can develop rapidly and without warning, causing severe and irreversible damage. This narrowing of the arterial passages can lead to infections, tissue death (requiring limb amputation), coronary artery disease, stroke, and death. Leukemia patients in the United States were never warned of the risk for Tasigna peripheral arterial disease or atherosclerosis. Intended to treat one chronic illness (leukemia) Tasigna introduces several significant risks to patients.
Evidence compiled for Tasigna lawsuits suggests Novartis officials have been aware of the risk of cardiovascular problems from Tasigna since at least 2011. Push by the Canadian health service to warn consumers, Novartis issued a Tasigna side effects warning in that country in 2013. No such warning was issued in the United States; on the contrary, the company launched marketing campaigns asserting false claims regarding the drug's benefits over other comparable treatments. Thousands of leukemia patients have been exposed to a significant and unnecessary risk as a result. Meanwhile, Tasigna garnered $1.7 billion in sales during 2016.
Patients who have suffered from Tasigna atherosclerosis, peripheral arterial disease, or another unanticipated side effect may be eligible for compensation through filing Tasigna lawsuits. If you or a loved one was prescribed Tasigna and suffered from unexpected side effects such as cardiovascular problems or limb amputation, you are eligible for a free, no-obligation case review with a Tasigna attorney. Contact these Tasigna lawyers today to learn about your legal rights.