Tasigna Cancer Drug Lawyers Whittel & Melton

What is Tasigna?

Tasigna is a very popular cancer drug approved by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration to treat patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia, or Ph+ CML, reaching almost $1.8 million in sales from 2018. However, this drug, manufactured by Novartis, has been linked to alarming side effects, including stroke, blocked arteries, coronary artery disease, and even death.

Plaintiffs are filing an increasing number of lawsuits against Novartis, alleging that the company failed to inform users about possible side effects. If you or a loved one took Tasigna and developed heart or circulation problems, you can seek financial compensation for your suffering. We urge you to contact our Tasigna Cancer Drug Lawyers at Whittel & Melton today at 866-608-5529 or contact us online to learn more about how we may be able to help you.

Tasigna Created to Treat Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

Tasigna was approved by the FDA in 2007 to help cure Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML), which is a form of leukemia that develops in blood-forming cells of the bone marrow. The leukemia cells that develop divide and replicate faster than healthy cells and live longer building up in the bone marrow and pushing out healthy cells. They eventually split into the bloodstream and move on to various other parts of the body.

The American Cancer Society reports that CML can take years to cause any issues and that people can live for years after being diagnosed. CML is more difficult to treat than acute leukemia.

How Tasigna Treats CML

Tasigna is a medication that contains tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), which are designed to block tyrosine kinase proteins that stimulate the growth of cancer cells. This drug aims to slow the spread of leukemia cells, ultimately helping individuals diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) live longer.

Tasigna Linked to Cardiovascular Side Effects

The FDA received 11,532 reports of serious side effects involving Tasigna from 2007 to 2019. These included 3,100 deaths. Tasigna has been linked to Long QT Syndrome, a condition that affects heart rhythm. It can cause fast, irregular heartbeats. These episodes may lead to fainting, seizures, or death. Due to this risk, the FDA issued a black box warning for Tasigna. This is the highest level of warning the agency can give.

Tasigna is associated with myocardial ischemia, a condition in which blocked coronary arteries reduce blood flow to the heart. This can cause an irregular heartbeat and, in severe cases, may result in a heart attack.

Research has linked Tasigna to atherosclerosis. This disease causes plaque and fatty deposits to build up in the arteries. The buildup restricts blood flow. If left untreated, it can lead to serious health problems. These include coronary artery disease, blood clots, peripheral arterial disease, heart attacks, and strokes. Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of death in the United States.

The FDA also recognizes several other potential serious complications linked to Tasigna, including:

• Strokes
• Tumor Lysis Syndrome
• Low blood cell counts
• Decreased blood flow to the heart, lungs, or brain
• Pancreatitis
• Peripheral artery disease
• Limb amputation
• Tissue death

Lawsuits Against Novartis

Plaintiffs in Tasigna lawsuits are seeking monetary damages. They claim Novartis failed to adequately warn them about serious side effects, including atherosclerosis and Long QT Syndrome. Novartis, a Swiss-based company, allegedly learned about the risks in 2011. In 2013, the company issued a warning in Canada about Tasigna’s side effects. However, it did not provide the same warning in the United States. In the U.S., patients only learned about the dangers through their own experiences and complaints.

Novartis has faced legal issues related to Tasigna beyond failing to warn about side effects. Authorities accused the company of using illegal marketing tactics in the United States.

Filing a Lawsuit? Let Whittel & Melton Guide You Every Step of the Way

Every drug carries risks, so users should be informed about all potential risks when making important health decisions. Pharmaceutical companies that fail to inform users about all potential side effects put patients’ health at risk. Patients take these medications hoping to improve their conditions, not make them worse. This is a breach of trust that can ultimately result in death.

To learn more about how our Tasigna Cancer Drug Lawyers at Whittel & Melton may be able to help you file a Tasigna lawsuit, we strongly recommend that you call us today at 866-608-5529 or contact us online. We will help you understand your legal rights and evaluate whether you can recover financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.