Serious Tasigna® Side Effects Lead To Lawsuits

Manufactured by Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company Novartis International AG, Tasigna is an oral therapy cancer drug used to treat patients with leukemia. The drug is extremely popular, having generated $4.7 billion in global sales in 2015 alone.

Despite its popularity and widespread use, the safety of Tasigna has been called into question by a number of lawsuits linking it to serious complications.

In addition, a clinical trial reported by the National Cancer Institute that found the drug caused adverse side effects in more than 98 percent of patients.

If you or someone you love suffered serious side effects or complications while taking Tasigna, you may be entitled to compensation. Here's what you need to know if you're considering filing a Tasigna dangerous drugs lawsuit.

About Tasigna

Tasigna (nilotinib) is a second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) drug prescribed to patients with Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), or to other cancer patients who are no longer seeing positive results from their current treatments.

CML is a malignant progressive cancer in which an abnormal Philadelphia chromosome produces too many white blood cells, preventing healthy cells from functioning properly. Tasigna works by inhibiting the protein that triggers the overproduction of white blood cells, and interfering with the growth and spread of cancer cells.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved Tasigna in October 2007 for the treatment of CML in adult patients resistant or intolerant to previous therapies that included Gleevec® (imatinib).

In June 2010, the FDA also approved Tasigna as a treatment for patients newly diagnosed with CML. Additionally, in December 2017, the FDA updated Tasigna's label to reflect that some CML patients may be able to stop treatment after a sustained response.

Tasigna may be popular with doctors, but the drug has faced more than its fair share of regulatory issues:

• In 2013, Novartis and Health Canada warned patients about the increased risk of developing serious complications while taking Tasigna; a similar warning wasn't issued in the United States.
• Also in 2013, Novartis faced misconduct charges in Japan after it was discovered the company failed to include 33 adverse event reports in clinical trial data.
• In 2015, Novartis International AG agreed to pay the U.S. Department of Justice $390 million to settle a federal lawsuit alleging that the company used a kickback scheme to get specialty pharmacies to push Tasigna prescriptions on Medicare and Medicaid patients.

Tasigna Complications Include Atherosclerosis

Tasigna is associated with a variety of side effects and complications. The most serious is atherosclerosis—a hardening of the arteries that affects arteries in the heart, brain, arms, legs, pelvis, and kidneys. Caused by a buildup of plaque, atherosclerosis can cause symptoms such as chest pain, confusion, fatigue, pain or weakness in the extremities, and shortness of breath.

It may also lead to other conditions such as:

• Poor circulation
• Infections
• Angina
• Carotid artery disease
• Coronary artery disease
• Peripheral artery disease
• Chronic kidney disease
• Amputation

Other Side Effects Associated With Tasigna

Tasigna has also been linked to a number of other side effects and complications, including:

• Headache
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Cough
• Itching
• Fever
• Skin rashes
• Liver damage
• Unexplained bruising or bleeding
• Pancreatitis
• Brain bleeds
• QT prolongation—a heart problem with symptoms like irregular heartbeat

Consult an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney

Did you or someone you love develop atherosclerosis or another serious complication while taking Tasigna as part of an aggressive cancer treatment regimen? If so, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Let the award-winning personal injury attorneys with McGartland Law Firm help you explore your legal rights and options. Contact McGartland Law Firm today to schedule an appointment for a free, no-obligation initial case consultation.