Tasigna Atherosclerosis Lawsuit News

Peripheral Artery Disease Plagues Tasigna Patients

Tasigna patients relieved to have beaten cancer may now be faced with a death sentence from peripheral artery disease

Monday, August 27, 2018 - Highly toxic, anti-cancer chemotherapy drug Tasigna was hastily brought to market to replace the safe and effective Gleevec whose patent was soon to expire. Tasigna was marketed by Novartis sales representatives to specialty pharmacists who were illegally paid to refill Gleevec prescriptions with Tasigna without advising patients of the additional risks. One of those risks is developing peripheral artery disease (PAD). In addition to atherosclerosis, patients suffering from chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and being treated with Tasigna are now developing (PAD).

According to the Mayo Clinic website "Peripheral artery disease (also called peripheral arterial disease) is a common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to your limbs. When you develop peripheral artery disease (PAD), your extremities -- usually your legs -- don't receive enough blood flow to keep up with demand."

Studies are conducted in 2012 found that approximately 2% of Tasigna patients developed PAD and also show that there were significant improvements in the disease after Tasigna nilotinib treatments were halted. According to Nature.com "Rapid clinical improvement of peripheral artery occlusive disease symptoms after nilotinib discontinuation despite persisting vascular occlusion (blood clot)." These findings are consistent with the fact that atherosclerosis and PAD are both permanent and irreversible.

A typical PAD patient found in the study is a 64-year-old man who developed cancer from smoking and was treated with Tasigna. The patient developed numbness and aching in his thigh and tingling and aching in his toes and feet and was prescribed pain medication and an exercise regimen both of which had little effect. The patient also had pain in his legs and arms. Testing indicated a 90% blockage in the femur artery, the artery leading to the lower legs. Such a large blockage may lead to necrosis (tissue death) of the toes and feet where the only treatment is amputation. Tasigna's website now warns of this amputation risk. In addition, Tasigna patients that develop atherosclerosis or PAD can suffer paralysis from a stroke or sudden death from a heart attack. Anti-cancer chemotherapy drug Tasigna is a kinase (protein) inhibitor used to treat CML.

Tasigna carries a "Black Box" warning. Due to the drug causing an irregular lengthening of one's heartbeat called QT Prolongation. the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now requires Novartis to place a Black Boxed Warning on all Tasigna packaging alerting patients of the sudden death risks the drug carries. A boxed warning is the most serious required by the FDA to be placed on drugs that have the potential to cause serious injuries and death in addition to the everyday side effects of chemotherapy. Other potentially life-threatening consequences of taking Tasigna include decreased bone marrow activity, painful mouth sores, skin lesions, pancreatitis, liver function abnormalities, and electrolyte imbalances.

Because of Tasigna's propensity to cause atherosclerosis and peripheral artery disease, Novartis now warns oncologist to screen potential patients for pre-existing heart conditions and blood abnormalities. Patients heart functions should be monitored before during and after taking to Tasigna. Tasigna patients that develop PAD may wish to consult with a Tasigna PAD attorney to see if they qualify to file a claim against Novartis. Attorneys handling Tasigna lawsuit claims provides free, no obligation Tasigna lawsuit case review and will be happy to discuss your case in detail.

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Lawyers for Tasigna Atherosclerosis Lawsuits

Attorneys handling Tasigna lawsuits for leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and multiple myeloma offer free, no-obligation case review for individuals and families who believe they may have grounds to file a Tasigna lawsuit. Working on a contingency basis, these attorneys are committed to never charging legal fees unless they win compensation in your Tasigna lawsuit. The product liability litigators handling Roundup claims at the Onder Law Firm have a strong track record of success in representing families harmed by dangerous drugs and consumer products.