The risk of atherosclerosis from Tasigna has been known in the medical research community for years, yet American consumers are just beginning to learn about this significant side effect. Clinical research first detected the link between Tasigna and atherosclerosis in 2011. Two years later, a warning for Tasigna atherosclerosis was quietly added to the drug’s warning label. Health Canada took the important step of issuing a Tasigna atherosclerosis warning, in conjunction with Novartis. American patients wonder why they were never similarly warned. Today, Americans who have suffered from complications of Tasigna atherosclerosis are filing lawsuits against Novartis to recover compensation for pain, suffering, and loss.
Tasigna (nilotinib) is a protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitor which blocks chemical enzymes in cancer cells in order to inhibit cell growth and division. A pharmaceutical drug approved to treat Philadelphia chromosome-positive myeloid leukemia in its chronic form, Tasigna is among the ten most prescribed cancer drugs in the world. Tasigna is a product of Novartis and was first approved by the FDA in 2007. Given in oral capsules, Tasigna has become one of the most widely-used cancer drugs in the world.
When given in recommended doses, Tasigna has been found to set off severe and rapid-onset atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis occurs when an excess of white blood cells and fibrofatty plaque accumulate in the arteries, causing a hazardous thickening of the body’s arterial walls known as peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
A patient who is suffering from peripheral arterial disease can develop life-threatening and irreversible complications. In this condition, blood cannot circulate freely to the limbs. If not detected and treatly rapidly peripheral arterial disease and atherosclerosis from Tasigna can result in infection and tissue death and the need for limb amputation. Other severe cardiovascular problems can also develop, and may result in death if Tasigna atherosclerosis is left unchecked. In short, while intended to treat one life-threatening condition, Tasigna can result in another.
While information on the link between Tasigna and atherosclerosis has been available in peer-reviewed medical journals since 2011, many Americans taking the drug are just learning about the danger. The Tasigna warning label was amended in 2013, adding Tasigna peripheral arterial disease and atherosclerosis as potential side effects. However, this change was made quietly; no warning statement was issued to draw attention to the new fine print. Over the border in Canada, Novartis released a Tasigna atherosclerosis warning in 2013, in conjunction with the Canadian health service. The Tasigna warning brought attention to the risk and rapid onset of the condition, warning physicians to respond quickly should symptoms appear. Novartis has continued to market Tasigna aggressively in the United States, garnering attention for misbranding and illegal marketing tactics. Thousands of Americans have been exposed to the risk of Tasigna atherosclerosis without adequate warning and have suffered life-threatening and permanent consequences as a result.
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