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, there has been some shocking side effects linked to this drug that is manufactured by Novartis, including stroke, blocked arteries, coronary artery disease, and death.

Lawsuits have begun streaming in against Novartis, claiming that the company allegedly failed to relay the potential side effects to its users. If you or a loved one has used Tasigna and developed any heart or circulation problems, then you may very well be entitled to recover 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 drug that contains tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) that are targeted to block tyrosine kinase proteins, proteins that stimulate the growth of cancer cells. Tasigna is designed to slow down the spread of leukemia cells, which ultimately helps those diagnosed with CML live longer.

Tasigna Linked to Cardiovascular Side Effects

According to the FDA Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS) Public Dashboard, the FDA received 11,532 reports of serious side effects, including 3,100 deaths involving Tasigna from 2007-2019. Tasigna has been linked to Long QT Syndrome, which is a condition that affects heart rhythm – these fast irregular heart beats can cause fainting, seizures, and death. In regards to Long QT, the FDA issued a black box warning (the highest level of warning that can be issued) on Tasigna to inform users of this potential danger.

Tasigna has also been linked to myocardial ischemia, which is a blockage of coronary arteries that reduces blood flow to the heart. This can result in irregular heartbeat and if the block is severe enough it can lead to a heart attack.

Tasigna has also been linked to atherosclerosis, a condition that leads to plaque and fatty deposits building up on an artery’s interior wall, preventing blood from flowing freely. When left untreated, this can lead to coronary artery disease, blood clots, peripheral arterial disease, heart attacks, and strokes. Atherosclerosis, and all other types of heart disease, is currently the leading cause of death in the U.S.

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

Tasigna Lawsuits Against Novartis

Plaintiffs in Tasigna lawsuits are seeking monetary damages because they were not properly warned of the severe potential side effects of the drug, as we mentioned above, such as atherosclerosis and Long QT Syndrome. Novartis International AG of Switzerland allegedly became aware of the risks of Tasigna and atherosclerosis in 2011. The drug maker Novartis issued a Tasigna side effects warning in Canada in 2013, but did not do the same in the United States. Tasigna’s potential dangers were only uncovered in the U.S. through patients’ actual experiences and complaints.

Novartis has had legal troubles from Tasigna aside from failing to inform about potential side effects. The company was accused of engaging in illegal marketing tactics in the United States, including promoting the Tasigna for off-label uses, making false claims about its effectiveness, and providing doctors with incentives to prescribe the drug over others. Novartis paid $390 million to settle a lawsuit with the U.S. Department of Justice regarding these claims in 2015.

Our Tasigna Cancer Drug Lawyers at Whittel & Melton Want to Help You File a Tasigna Lawsuit

Every drug has its risks, but we believe that users have a right to be informed of all the risks involved when making a serious health decision. Drug makers that fail to warn users of all possible side effects jeopardize the health of sick patients who are taking their drugs with the hopes of getting better, not 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 to call us today at 866-608-5529 or contact us online. We can help you understand your legal rights and determine if you are eligible to recover financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.