Novartis Takes Advantage of Tasigna's Catch 22

Only the most distressed and terminal cancer patients are given Tasigna, therefore the fact that they could develop atherosclerosis is merely an afterthought

Tuesday, October 30, 2018 - Tasigna anti-cancer medication may be very effective in combating CML, chronic myeloid leukemia, however, the side effects may be worse than the disease. Thousands of Tasigna patients are developing atherosclerosis-related conditions where the inner walls of the major arteries are rapidly compromised. Normal, healthy blood flow to the extremities of the body is dependant on the inner walls of the arteries being as smooth as glass, allowing the blood to flow freely. Tasigna chemotherapy is designed to kill cells and is so toxic that the inner walls of the arteries leading to the extremities, brain, and heart become rapidly chaffed and roughened making it difficult for the fatty portion of the blood to flow freely. When the inner walls of the arteries are compromised the fatty plaque accumulates and reduces blood flow. Tasigna patients are suffering from necrosis of the toes and feet, strokes and heart attacks. Moreover, it is difficult for a patient to tell the warning signs of atherosclerosis because they are similar to the side effects of chemotherapy, that is lethargy, extreme tiredness, chest pains, and shortness of breath. Because it is so difficult to differentiate between chemotherapy side effects and atherosclerosis side effects, Tasigna carries a "black box" warning, the most serious FDA warning of all designed to alert doctors that Tasigna patients could suffer sudden death from heart attack and stroke. In order to better catch atherosclerosis before it has progressed, oncologists are now required to screen their cancer patients for heart disease before they are given Tasigna. In addition, cancer patients must be given an electrocardiogram (ECG) before starting Tasigna treatments to serve as a baseline for heart-health comparisons. ECG's must be given at weekly and monthly intervals to seek to monitor a patient for Tasigna atherosclerosis in its early stages so that Tasigna treatments can be modified or discontinued outright.

When atherosclerosis is diagnosed, the treatment is usually coronary bypass surgery to re-route the blood to and from the heart. The positive results of bypass surgery are temporary however if the patient continues to take Tasigna. No Tasigna patient is immune from atherosclerosis. Most oncologists simply assume that Tasigna is safe because the drug is FDA approved. Liability is deferred to the federal government as an oncologist is not responsible for finding the side effects a drug may have. What the doctor is responsible for is to accurately and thoroughly communicate the known side effects of Tasigna to their patients. Even when they do explain the devastating side effects of atherosclerosis, it is often seen as a better alternative than not taking Tasigna and dying from cancer.

Tasigna caused the temporary, non-life threatening side effects of nausea, vomiting, lethargy, weakness, easy bruising, weight and hair loss. Tasigna patients are also warned that QT prolongation, an irregular heartbeat can occur leading to sudden death from a heart attack. Other known side effects of Tasigna include amputation, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular problems and Peripheral arterial disease in which leading national Tasigna attorneys are handling.

More Recent Tasigna Atherosclerosis Lawsuit News:

No-Cost, No-Obligation Tasigna Lawsuit Case Review If You or a Loved One Suffered from Tasigna Complications

OnderLaw, LLC is a St. Louis personal injury law firm handling serious injury and death claims across the country. Its mission is the pursuit of justice, no matter how complex the case or strenuous the effort. The Onder Law Firm has represented clients throughout the United States in pharmaceutical and medical device litigation such as Pradaxa, Lexapro and Yasmin/Yaz, where the firm's attorneys held significant leadership roles in the litigation, as well as Actos, DePuy, Risperdal and others. The Onder Law Firm has won more than $300 million in four talcum powder ovarian cancer lawsuits in St. Louis. Law firms throughout the nation often seek its experience and expertise on complex litigation.