Cancer is a devastating group of diseases that involves the abnormal growth of cells. In 2020, experts estimated that roughly 18.1 people had cancer globally, with over 600,000 cancer deaths in the United States alone that same year. There are more than 100 different types of cancer, with varying degrees of severity and outcomes. Chronic myeloid leukemia is a rare form of blood cancer that originates in the bone marrow. Medical professionals may recommend chemotherapy, stem-cell transplants, or targeted drugs to treat chronic myeloid leukemia. However, many cancer patients have reported severe adverse health effects after taking the chemotherapy drug Tasigna. Cancer treatments should help patients heal and recover, but lawsuits allege that the drug worsens the health of cancer patients. If you developed injuries after taking Tasigna, reach out today to learn more about how a Tasigna lawsuit can benefit you.
Our law firm is currently handling lawsuits on behalf of individuals who suffered injuries after receiving Tasigna. Lawsuits against Tasigna manufacturers claim that the oral chemotherapy regimen can cause serious side effects, including death, as indicated in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Events Reporting Systems Public Dashboard.
The FDA approved the oral chemotherapy drug, Tasigna, in 2007. The multinational pharmaceutical company Novartis designed Tasigna to treat Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (PH+ CML). Philadelphia chromosomes are abnormal chromosomes in the bone marrow. Spontaneous chromosome mutations cause chronic myeloid leukemia, which usually affects older adults. This type of leukemia starts in the bone marrow and slowly progresses. Chronic myeloid leukemia does not often present signs or symptoms, so it is usually discovered during routine blood work. Tasigna works by blocking the cancer-growing proteins that create leukemia cancer cells. By blocking these signals, Tasigna improves blood counts and stops the cancer from spreading.
The FDA approved Tasigna in 2007 with a black box warning that addressed only the minor side effects of the medication. Following Tasigna’s FDA approval, more than a dozen studies have shown that Tasigna may cause atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular issues that increase the risk of stroke and death.
In a 2011 study, three of 24 patients developed progressive peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) while receiving Tasigna. These patients did not have PAOD prior to treatment with Tasigna. To remedy the arterial disease, the patients required angioplasty and multiple surgeries. In 2015, a report in the Journal of Clinical Oncology discussed cardiovascular events associated with Tasigna and expressed concerns concerning the long-term use of Tasigna. A warning regarding atherosclerosis was added to Tasigna’s product label, but the FDA did not officially release a warning concerning these complications.
The main complication of Tasigna is atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on the artery walls. This plaque is very dangerous because it restricts and even blocks blood flow in the arteries. While atherosclerosis is generally a progressive condition, patients taking Tasigna may experience severe and rapid deterioration of the arteries. Tasigna can cause other serious conditions, including:
Tasigna presents an increased risk of blocked arteries, irregular heart rhythms, and death. Several studies have shown that patients taking Tasigna developed atherosclerosis that rapidly progressed into serious medical complications. Patients have initiated lawsuits against Novartis, the manufacturer of Tasigna, for failing to provide adequate warnings about the risk of atherosclerosis, which causes long-term obstruction of the arteries. While Novartis has updated its labeling in Canada, the company has neglected to update Tasigna’s labeling in the U.S. to include the risk of atherosclerosis.
As of October 2023, over 37 Tasigna lawsuits are pending in multidistrict litigation (MDL) in Florida.
If you or a loved one developed health complications after taking Tasigna, you may recover compensation for any or all of the following:
Cancer patients need to divert all of their time and energy to their recovery. These individuals should not have to endure hazardous adverse health effects caused by the very drug that is supposed to help them. Lawsuits accuse Novartis of concealing necessary and relevant artery and cardiovascular health risks from cancer patients. We recognize that pursuing a lawsuit against a large company like Novartis may seem daunting, but you do not have to do this alone. Discuss your potential Tasigna lawsuit with one of our helpful and friendly attorneys today.
The Lake Law Firm was founded by Edward J. Lake, Esq., a personal injury lawyer for over 25 years. Our dedicated team of attorneys is committed to seeking justice on behalf of those who have suffered injury or death due to the negligence of others. Our experienced attorneys handle many different types of pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices, and other defective products. The lawyers in our firm have helped collect millions of dollars for their clients. The Lake Law Firm will advocate for you and your rights. Please contact us for a free confidential case evaluation at (888) 525-3529 or submit an inquiry on this page.
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