Were you or someone you love diagnosed with atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) while taking the leukemia drug Tasigna? Several recent studies have suggested that Tasigna may be associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis, a dangerous hardening and narrowing of the arteries that can result in a range of life-threatening complications, including:
• Peripheral arterial disease
• Coronary artery disease
• Circulatory issues of the legs, arms, heart or brain
• Embolic occlusion
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Amputation
• Death
Tasigna lawsuits accusing Novartis of downplaying the risk of atherosclerosis are already pending in several U.S. courts. You may be able to take similar legal action if you or a loved one were diagnosed with atherosclerosis or a related condition following the initiation of Tasigna therapy.
The attorneys at Gilman Law LLP are committed to ensuring that the victims of dangerous drug side effects obtain the justice they deserve. Filing a Tasigna lawsuit may be the only way for you and your family to hold Novartis accountable and recover compensation for the medical bills and other damages related to your injuries.
CONTACT US NOW! Any Delay May Result in A Complete Bar to Your Tasigna Lawsuit Regardless of Its Merit!
What is Tasigna?
Tasigna (nilotinib) was approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in 2007 for treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia. Tasigna is marketed by Swiss drug-maker Novartis, which developed the medication to replace Gleevec, another leukemia drug that was set to lose patent protection in 2015.
Both Gleevec and Tasigna belong to a class of leukemia drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which target a protein called BCR-ABL that causes leukemia cells to reproduce and grow out of control. Neither Gleevec nor Tasigna cure chronic myeloid leukemia, so they need to be taken indefinitely.
Because Tasigna was so similar to Gleevec, the FDA did not subject it to the same type of testing that most new prescription drugs must undergo.
Tasigna and Atherosclerosis
The first study linking Tasigna to atherosclerosis was published in 2011 in the American Journal of Hematology, suggesting that 25% of those treated with the drug experienced vascular problems, while 16 developed peripheral artery disease.
A number of other studies that have appeared since then have produced similar findings. In 2013, Health Canada issued a public safety alert warning of the potential link between Tasigna and atherosclerosis.
“In patients taking TASIGNA, the following side effects related to atherosclerosis have been reported during clinical trials: peripheral arterial occlusive disease (hardening and narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the arms and legs), femoral artery stenosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries located in the upper thigh), coronary artery stenosis (narrowing or hardening of the arteries supplying the heart that causes angina (chest pain), carotid artery stenosis (narrowing or hardening of the carotid artery in the neck), and cerebrovascular accident (stroke),” the Health Canada alert stated. “A review of the Novartis global safety database search (between January 1st, 2005 and January 31, 2013) identified a total of 277 cases of atherosclerosis, of which 14 were Canadian cases.”
That same year, an FDA review strongly suggested “an association between nilotinib (Tasigna) and PAOD (peripheral arterial occlusive disease)”. However, it wasn’t until the agency announced its findings that a warning for Tasigna atherosclerosis was added to the drug’s label.
Legal Help for Victims of Tasigna Atherosclerosis
The attorneys at Gilman Law LLP are available now to provide free legal consultations to the victims of Tasigna atherosclerosis.
For a free, no-obligation review of your potential Tasigna lawsuit, please fill out our free consultation form or call us direct to speak with one of our attorneys at (888) 252-0048.
Tasigna Lawsuits Filed for Atherosclerosis, Related Complications and Death