What is Tasigna?
Approved by the FDA In 2007, Tasigna is a leukemia drug that belongs to the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) family. The drug works by targeting the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase enzyme, which causes the growth of blood cancer cells in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Tasigna is manufactured by Novartis International AG.
What’s the Problem?
Recent studies have found that serious side effects of Tasigna may include rapid-onset atherosclerosis, also known as coronary artery disease (CAD). Lawsuits filed by alleged victims state that Novartis knew or should have known about the risk of heart problems with Tasigna, and hold the company responsible for not conducting adequate medical studies or issuing a drug recall.
Tasigna Side Effects
Serious side effects of Tasigna may include:
- Atherosclerosis
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
- Coronary artery disease (CAD)
- Carotid artery disease
- Hardening / narrowing of the peripheral arteries
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Angina
- Other arterial diseases
- Limb amputations
- Blood disorders
- Blood clots
- Death
- And more
Wrongful Death Claim Links Arterial Disease to Tasigna
In March 2013, the family of a California man who died from atherosclerosis allegedly caused by Tasigna filed a lawsuit in California against Novartis AG, claiming the manufacturer failed to adequately warn doctors and patients in the U.S. about the drug’s potential to cause severe, potentially fatal side effects. The complaint was filed by the surviving family of Dainis Lauris, who contends that since at least 2011, Novartis has been aware of numerous reports indicating that Tasigna caused accelerated and irreversible atherosclerosis in patients taking the drug.
Health Canada Warns Leukemia Drug May Cause Atherosclerosis
Novartis, in conjunction with Health Canada, warned patients and doctors in April 2013 that taking Tasigna may increase the risk of atherosclerosis. This same warning was somehow never passed on to health regulators in the U.S., as the FDA, doctors, and patients alike failed to get the memo. It is believed that many thousands of people may have been affected as a result of this alleged negligence.
Symptoms of Atherosclerosis
- Chest pain or angina
- Pain in the leg, arm, and anywhere else that has a blocked artery
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- Muscle weakness in your legs from lack of circulation
Novartis Pays $390 Million to Resolve Kickback Allegations
In November 2015, Novartis agreed to pay $390 million to settle fraud allegations charging the company with paying illegal kickbacks to specialty pharmacies in exchange for promoting 2 medicines, one of which was Tasigna. Per the settlement contract, Novartis walked away from the deal admitting to no wrongdoing.
Why Our Law Firm Is Filing Individual Lawsuits Opposed to a Tasigna Class Action
Our lawyers have decided not to file a class action lawsuit in the Tasigna litigation, and are currently only accepting potential individual claims. We made this decision based on many examples of prior defective drug litigation, which in some cases may have resulted in quicker payouts; however, the amount plaintiffs are compensated is a fraction of what their case could potentially be worth. For this reason, we will only be filing individual Tasigna lawsuits, in order to maximize profits for injured parties and their loved ones.
Do I Have a Tasigna Lawsuit?
The Class Action Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Tasigna lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new atherosclerosis cases in all 50 states.
Free Case Evaluation: Again, if you or a loved one has been harmed by Tasigna, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a lawsuit and we can help.