Colorado Truvada Attorneys

Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) – which includes Truvada – are a group of drugs used to treat the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These types of medications are also used by individuals who are at high risk of contracting the condition (i.e. serodiscordant couples).

The maker of the drug Truvada – Gilead Sciences Inc. – is now facing lawsuits by those who have used the HIV medication. Information has surfaced surrounding issues with the component, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), which is one of the key ingredients in Truvada.

These claims allege that the pharmaceutical giant knew of the dangers associated with TDF, failed to notify users and physicians, and also chose to withhold knowledge of a safer alternative in order to maintain profits.

If you or a loved one have suffered serious bone or kidney damages after taking Truvada, the Colorado Truvada lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm are ready to help you fight back against those who have done you harm. We are ready to be your voice.

Contact Onder Law Firm right now at (314) 310-7924 for a FREE legal consultation and to learn more about what you can do about your Truvada-related health complications.

What Makes Truvada Dangerous?

Truvada is a combination antiretroviral drug made up of several medicinal components which include emtricitabine (FTC) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). The drug was first accepted as an HIV treatment by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2004, and later as a pre-exposure prophylaxis in 2012.

The components work together to inhibit the activity of reverse transcriptase enzymes. It is these enzymes which the virus uses to replicate itself in healthy cells. By blocking this replication process, FTC and TDF essentially stop the growth of the virus.

The problem with Truvada is that studies have linked the use of TDF with loss of bone mineral density. Over time, bone demineralization can lead to an increased risk of bone fractures, breaks, and osteoporosis. As HIV-positive individuals already face an increased risk of bone loss density, they are potentially facing further damage by using the drug.

Additionally, the excessive amounts of TDF in Truvada can have a negative effect on users’ kidneys, ultimately causing chronic kidney disease and failure. It is believed that this also leads to additional bone loss. As the kidneys are no longer able to function at their best, they cannot help to return bone-building nutrients back into the bloodstream, thus contributing to the issue of bone loss.

Alongside Truvada, Gilead Sciences Inc. has developed several other TDF-based medications that can also lead to bone and/or kidney-related health issues. These drugs include:

• Atripla
• Complera
• Stribild
• Viread

Common side effects that can be experienced after taking Truvada include:

• Nausea
• Stomach pains
• Diarrhea
• Headaches
• Depression
• Trouble sleeping
• Itchiness

Symptoms of severe liver damage include:

• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Light-colored stools
• Dark-colored urine
• Yellow skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Stomach pain

Symptoms of bone demineralization/bone loss include:

• Fractures
• Persistent/ worsening bone pain
• Breaks
• Osteoporosis
• Osteopenia

Symptoms of chronic kidney disease include:

• Anemia
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Confusion
• Itchy skin
• Trouble urinating
• Kidney toxicity
• Renal damage
• Kidney failure

Patients have also reported a buildup of lactic acid in their blood. This condition is known as lactic acidosis and can include the following symptoms:

• Unusual muscle weakness
• Nausea
• Trouble breathing
• Abnormal heart rate
• Cold or blue hands and feet
• Vomiting
• Dizziness

The Colorado Truvada lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm are committed to helping right the wrongs done against the victims who used Truvada. To learn more about your ability to file a claim, contact us at (314) 310-7924.

Gilead Facing Legal Troubles

The pharmaceutical company now faces class action and personal injury lawsuits which allege that they marketed their TDF-based medications despite knowing that the drug was toxic while simultaneously withholding a safer alternative drug called TAF (tenofovir alafenamide). Gilead was aware that TAF was as effective as TDF and had a substantially lower risk of causing health issues but instead chose to stifle research on it.

Several studies have shown the effectiveness of TAF in comparison to TDF including two-double-blind clinical trials. In the study, 1,733 HIV-positive participants were split into groups with one group being treated with a TAF-based regimen while the other group underwent a TDF-based regimen.

After 48 weeks, it was uncovered that TAF users had, on average, fewer kidney-related injuries and decreases in bone mineral density. In the clinical trials, no participants who underwent the TAF-based regimen quit because of kidney-related injuries, while four individuals who were given TDF had to stop because of developing kidney function problems and inflammation.

In terms of bone loss, those who were provided TAF-based medications lost 2 percent of bone density in their spine while those taking TDF-based medications lost 3 percent. Users of TAF-based medications also saw about 1 percent loss of bone density in their hips while those taking TDF-based drugs saw 3 percent.

Despite research showing the negative effects of TDF-based drugs, the company continued to market and sell the product, all the while raking in billions of dollars in sales.

In May of 2018, two groundbreaking lawsuits were filed by HIV patients in California. The lawsuits claim that Gilead Sciences exhibited negligence and malicious marketing tactics in an effort to continue its market dominance.

Groups Potentially Most Affected by Truvada in Colorado

Certain groups are at high risk of contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and may be more inclined to start antiretroviral or pre-exposure prophylaxis drugs.

As per AIDSvu.org:

• The number of people living with HIV in Colorado in 2016 stood at 12,215.
• There were 440 new HIV diagnoses in 2017
• The rate of new diagnoses stood at 9 per 100,000 population in 2017.
• 118 lives were lost to HIV in 2016.

Counties with the highest rates of HIV in 2016 included:

• Denver County: 963 cases per 100k people.
• Crowley County: 358 cases per 100K people.
• Arapahoe County: 285 per 100K people.
• Fremont County: 284 cases per 100K people.

As per the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 4th Quarter, 2018 HIV Surveillance Report:

• Males accounted for 375 cases (89%) of new HIV diagnoses.
• Females accounted for 44 cases (11%) of new HIV diagnoses.
• Whites accounted for 185 cases (44%) of new HIV diagnoses.
• African Americans accounted for 63 (15%) of new HIV diagnoses.
• Hispanics accounted for 157 cases (37%) of new HIV diagnoses.
• The age demographic facing the high rates of HIV diagnoses was 20 to 29-year olds with 176 new HIV diagnoses in 2018.
• The second-largest age group affected by HIV was 30 to 39-year olds. This demographic accounted for 114 new HIV diagnoses (27%).

In terms of exposure categories:

• Male-male sex (MSM) was the highest exposure category, accounting for 264 (63%) new HIV diagnoses in 2018.
• Heterosexual contact accounted for 28 new HIV diagnoses (7%).
• Injection drug use accounted for 21 new diagnoses (5%).

Again, it is worth noting these populations as they are much more likely to be prescribed Truvada or be involved in a serodiscordant relationship with a partner taking Truvada.

Product Liability Lawsuits in Colorado

Product liability pertains to lawsuits which are filed when a product is considered to be ‘unreasonably dangerous’ or defective for a number of reasons. Manufacturers of defective drugs may be held liable for products which cause injury or even death to consumers.

There are three types of defects that can occur in the chain of manufacturing:

1. Defective design is one type of error in a product, which can lead to a manufacturer’s recall if a whole line of items was made with an “unreasonably dangerous” design.
2. A manufacturing defect occurs in the assembly of a product. The error occurs in the factory and may affect only a small portion of items which are otherwise reasonably safe.
3. Failure to warn defects include lack of adequate warning, failure to provide proper instructions on how to use, or even omission of information about the item which can make it potentially dangerous if used incorrectly.

The statute of limitations for product liability lawsuits in Colorado is two (2) years. The exception to this strict filing time frame is only if adverse health issues arise after the two-year mark.

Victims of defective products may be compensated for – but not limited to – the following damages resulting from their defective drug injury:

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Lost wages
• Disability
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of compensation
• Wrongful death

Many victims who have suffered bone damage, chronic kidney disease, liver failure, and lactic acidosis after taking Truvada are pursuing legal help. These individuals may be entitled to compensation for their damages.

HIV-susceptible groups trusted Truvada and poured their money into prescriptions for the sake of their health. Instead, they were deceived and prescribed a drug which could actually harm their health rather than protect it.

If you or someone you love has sustained serious health complications after taking Truvada to treat or prevent the spread of HIV, you should seek to file a defective drug claim. The Colorado Truvada lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm want to help you fight for your due justice and financial recovery.

Contact us today at (314) 310-7924 or online for a FREE legal consultation with our determined and skillful Colorado Truvada lawsuit attorneys. Know that we will stop at nothing to secure your deserved compensation.