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Tasigna Lawsuit

Tasigna Lawsuit

Tasigna is a leukemia drug that has been linked to hundreds of cases of atherosclerosis, a life-threatening artery disease. Lawsuits have been filed against Novartis for failing to warn patients about the risk.

What You Can Do & How We Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Tasigna induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with atherosclerosis, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

What is Tasigna?

Tasigna (nilotinib) is a drug that is used to treat leukemia. It works by blocking proteins that make cancer cells grow. It has been sold in the U.S. since 2007, when it was approved to treat Philadelphia chromosome-positive Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML).

What is the problem?

A possible side effect of Tasigna that is not currently on the label is atherosclerosis, a life-threatening disease that narrows the arteries. One of the first studies linking Tasigna with atherosclerosis was published in 2011. Evidence has increased substantially since then.

Tasigna Atherosclerosis Safety Warning

In April 2013, Novartis and Health Canada issued a Safety Warning after finding 277 cases of atherosclerosis in Tasigna patients from 2005 to 2013. They recommended closely monitoring patients for symptoms of artery disease. Even so, patients in the U.S. were never warned.

Tasigna Lawsuit

In March 2016, the family of a man from California who died of atherosclerosis after taking Tasigna filed a lawsuit against Novartis for failing to warn patients about the risk.

The man, Dennis Lauris, alleges that Novartis has known about the risk of atherosclerosis since at least 2011 and did not warn patients. According to the lawsuit:

“Novartis’s failure to warn United States doctors and patients of the serious risks of developing atherosclerosis-related conditions associated with Tasigna was intentional, and part of an aggressive marketing strategy to sell Tasigna over competing TKI drugs.”

The lawsuit was filed on March 22, 2016 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California — In RE: Lauris, et al. v. Novartis AG, et al.,Case No. 16-393.

What is Atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis is an artery disease. It is caused by fatty plaque build-up inside the arteries, which narrows the arteries and reduces the amount of oxygen-rich blood that the arteries can carry to the heart and other parts of the body.

Side Effects of Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis can occur in any artery in the body. It causes different complications depending on where it is located. The most common locations include the heart, brain, pelvis, legs, arms, or kidneys.

One of the most serious complications occurs when a blood clot or a piece of the fatty plaque deposit breaks off and gets carried in the bloodstream until it gets stuck. This can cause heart attack or stroke.

Complications of Atherosclerosis

  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Coronary heart disease
  • Chest pain
  • Carotid artery disease
  • Peripheral artery disease
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Gangrene (tissue death)
  • Limb amputation
  • Death

Novartis Pays $390 Million Tasigna Settlement

Novartis paid a $390 million settlement to the U.S. Department of Justice in 2015. The company was accused of engaging in an aggressive marketing campaign using false claims and omitting risk information to promote Tasigna over other leukemia treatments. Novartis also settled allegations that it paid illegal kickbacks.

Tasigna Recall

There has been no recall for Tasigna, despite warnings in Canada and several studies linking Tasigna with an increased risk of atherosclerosis. Because sales have reached $1.8 billion per year, Novartis is unlikely to recall Tasigna without FDA intervention.

Tasigna Class Action Lawsuit

Lawsuits have already been filed by the families of people who died of Tasigna side effects, but there is no class action lawsuit. Instead, lawyers are filing individual Tasigna lawsuits against Novartis. In the future, if a large number of lawsuits are filed, they may be centralized into a federal Multi-District Litigation (MDL) to maximize efficiency.

Do I have a Tasigna Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Tasigna induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with atherosclerosis, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

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