Tasigna Lawsuits

Tasigna is a blockbuster cancer drug used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), which has been linked to serious side effects that can constrict and harden arteries, potentially increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, amputation and sudden death. 

STATUS OF TASIGNA LAWSUITS: Product liability lawyers previously investigated whether financial compensation was available through a Tasigna lawsuit for individuals who suffered injuries, including:

• Heart Attack
• Stroke
• Amputation
• Heart Disease
• Artery Disease
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Death

AboutLawsuits.com is no longer reviewing new claims involving Tasigna side effects. This page is maintained for informational purposes only.

Tasigna Lawsuits

MANUFACTURER: Novartis

OVERVIEW: Tasigna (nilotinib) belongs to a class of cancer drugs known as tyrosine-kinase inhibitors, which block certain enzymes from cancer cells, inhibiting their growth. It was approved by the FDA in 2007.

Tasigna is currently approved for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML) in newly diagnosed adults. It is also approved for the treatment of chronic phase and accelerated phase Ph+ CML in adults who are resistant or intolerant to prior therapy.

Annual sales of the drug now exceed $2.5 billion per year, yet some experts have questioned whether the risks associated with the medication are justified given the available of older medications, which are now available as generics at much less expense.

TASIGNA ARTERY PROBLEMS: In 2010, clinical investigators reportedly warned Novartis that Tasigna was linked to a growing number of atherosclerosis-related conditions in patients, leading to the narrowing and hardening of arteries delivering blood to the head, heart and limbs. These could result in severe or life threatening injuries or conditions, such as heart attack, stroke, the need for limb amputation and sudden death.

Canada’s drug regulatory agency, Health Canada, opened an investigation, and in 2013 Novartis issued a warning to Canadian doctors and patients about the risks of artery problems linked to Tasigna. However, there have been no similar warnings added to Tasigna labels or sent to doctors or patients in the U.S.

On August 10, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) consolidated all Tasigna lawsuits filed in federal courts nationwide before U.S. District Judge Roy Bale Dalton in the Middle District of Florida for pretrial proceedings as part of a multidistrict litigation (MDL).

As a result of the drug makers’ failure to adequately warn about the risks associated with their medication, Tasigna injury lawyers evaluated whether users were entitled to compensation through a product liability lawsuit.

Cases alleged that Novartis withheld important safety information from U.S. patients and the medical community about the risks of arterial hardening and narrowing that could result in significant injury or death.