Hawaii Truvada Lawsuit Attorneys

In 2017, 38,739 Americans were diagnosed with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). When left untreated, HIV gradually worsens and can greatly diminish health, ultimately worsening to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Although there is currently no cure for HIV, the introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART) drugs in the early 2000s have since helped to alleviate symptoms and slow the spread of the infection in individuals with the condition.

One such ART drug is Truvada, which consists of a combination of the drugs emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. These drugs are nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) that work to inhibit transcriptase, or the division and replication of HIV infected cells. Truvada diminishes the amount of detectable HIV in the blood.

Truvada has become one of the most popular drugs in its class. It is taken as a once-daily pill and is most effective when taken consistently. Unfortunately, patients taking the drug have suffered some health complications and have begun to take legal action against Gilead.

If you or a loved one has taken Truvada and since suffered bone or kidney issues, seek medical care and then contact an experienced defective drug lawyer.

The Hawaii Truvada lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm are prepared to review your case for FREE when you give us a call at (314) 310-7924.

Side Effects of Truvada

Truvada was created and is manufactured by Gilead Sciences, Inc. This company has gained recognition for its various antiretroviral therapy drugs. Truvada gained approval as an HIV treatment by the Food and Drug Administration in 2004.

The manufacturer does list some common side effects, as well as advises users about certain pre-existing conditions which may worsen with use of the drug.

Common side effects of Truvada include:

Dizziness
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Headache
Vomiting
Drowsiness
Interrupted sleep
Skin rash

Although Gilead did mention these side effects, the company failed to bring attention to more serious complications caused by the drug. These health conditions can be life-threatening if not treated in time.

Dangerous side effects caused by Truvada include diminished bone density and kidney complications. Beware of the following complications that can arise when taking the treatment:

Bone Density Loss

Osteoporosis
Diminished bone mineral
Osteopenia
Fractured Bones
Broken Bones
Tooth loss/ Decay
Hypophosphatemia (low phosphate levels)

Kidney Damage and Failure

Reduced kidney function
Chronic kidney disease
Acute kidney failure
Total renal failure
Fanconi Syndrome

If you or a loved one have a history of taking Truvada, be aware of the listed bone and kidney issues, as early detection and treatment are the best way to prevent any critical harm.

What Is the Problem with Truvada?

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) has been deemed potentially toxic when taken in excessive amounts. In order to be effective in preventing transcriptase in an HIV-infected person, high amounts of the ingredient were put into the Truvada formula.

Despite early clinical reports which reveal this potential danger, Gilead continued to market the drug as completely safe to use, with a few common side effects. In 2002, the FDA addressed the company for failing to acknowledge the risks associated with TDF.

Additionally, the pharmaceutical company is said to have been working on a safer alternative drug, tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), as early as 2001. It works similarly to TDF in preventing the replication of HIV but is as effective in lower doses.

Gilead suppressed knowledge of TAF for 15 years, meanwhile, TDF-based Truvada still had an active patent and was a huge source of profit for the company. The manufacturer did not want to risk the reputation of its highly trusted Truvada, so instead, they waited until 2015 to reveal a “new and improved” formula containing TAF.

Who Is Affected by Truvada?

Across the United States, it has been observed that certain demographics are more susceptible to becoming infected with HIV. Black men who have sex with men are the most at-risk group across the board.

Other members of the LGBT, and minorities such as Hispanics, are also at a disparity when it comes to HIV infection. A stigma surrounding sexually transmitted infections, lack of sexual education and sexual health resources all contribute to these trends.

To date, nearly 2,623 individuals living with HIV reside in Hawaii. A report has been conducted about the HIV diagnoses in the state from 2012 to 2016.

The following findings reveal information about HIV diagnoses amongst various groups in Hawaii:

Races

155 individuals (32 percent) were Caucasian
100 individuals (20.7 percent) were Asian
69 individuals (14.3 percent) were Hawaiin/ Pacific Islanders
38 individuals (7.9 percent) were African Americans
52 individuals (10.7 percent) were Hispanic
70 individuals (14.5 percent) were Unknown or Other

Sex

437 (90.3 percent) were male
47 (9.7 percent) were female

Age

58 (12 percent) were 25 years old and younger
284 (58.7 percent) were between 25 and 44 years old
137 (28.3 percent) were 45 years old and above

Risk

332 (68.8 percent) caused by male-with-male sex (MSM)
31(6.4 percent) caused by intravenous drug use (IDU)
22 (4.5 percent) the result of MSM and IDU
71 (14.7 percent) were heterosexual intercourse
28 (5.8 percent) were other

Stage

137 (28.3 percent) were Stage 3 – AIDS
347 (71.7 percent) were lesser stages of HIV

The information reveals that white men who have sex with men have been the primary group affected by HIV in Hawaii.

Individuals who are infected with HIV and those at-risk for developing HIV are most likely to be candidates for Truvada. Those that have been diagnosed with HIV and begin treatment with Truvada seek to improve their health and longevity, yet, instead, they may face the dangers of the drug.

Before beginning any antiretroviral therapy, all HIV-diagnosed persons should discuss the side effects and risks of the medication they are taking. Additionally, if you have been affected by TDF-related bone or kidney damage, seek the help of a trusted Truvada lawsuit attorney.

Gilead Faces Lawsuits

The Bay Area pharmaceutical company got away with profiting from dangerous drugs for quite some time, but as news broke of the links between Truvada and cases of bone and kidney injury, victims began to come forward with their claims.

Both personal injury and class-action lawsuits have been filed against Gilead. These lawsuits allege that Gilead is responsible for the health complications that patients have suffered. This is part of the company’s failure to warn about risks linked to the key ingredient, TDF.

The claims also address that Gilead did not take action to remedy a defective drug and that they even shelved a safer alternative for the medication for many years to protect the sales of the existing product. Due to this, thousands of patients suffered preventable bone loss and kidney failure.

The class-action lawsuit seeks compensation for all patients of Truvada in the State of California who faced danger because the pharma company tactically suppressed knowledge of a safer treatment.

Filing Your Truvada Lawsuit

The difference between a personal injury and a class-action lawsuit is that class-action claims seek to represent many victims who have been harmed by a particular entity in a similar way. Once the verdict is settled, plaintiffs are compensated for their injuries and losses accordingly.

If you have faced bone of kidney damage from TDF, complications can occur at a range of severities. No case is the same, which is why you should seek a personal injury claim with a lawyer who will provide individualized attention to your case.

Under product liability laws, victims are permitted a 2-year statute of limitations period to file their claim. There are three types of defects in which a victim may bring about a claim.

Types of product liability claims include:

Design Defect: There is some flaw in the design of the item which makes it unsafe to use for consumers. A whole batch of the same item’s design is likely defective.
Manufacturing Defect: An error occurs in the line of production. Usually only one or some of the items in production face a defect.
Failure to Warn: Also known as marketing defects, include instances where the manufacturer failed to provide instruction, advisory, or warning on an item which can make use of it potentially dangerous.

Gilead is responsible for manufacturing and marketing a defective drug and failing to notify the public of potential risks of TDF-based drugs. Additionally, the company engaged in unethical business by withholding a safe alternative that could have improved the health of many HIV-infected persons.

Hawaii Truvada Lawsuit Attorneys You Can Depend On

It can be very intimidating to face a pharmaceutical corporation alone. The good news is that you do NOT have to. Our trustworthy and dependable lawyers at Onder Law Firm know exactly how to get the results you need to begin healing.

We will develop the strongest claim possible in order to help you secure compensation for but not limited to:

Medical costs
Loss of income
Physical pain
Emotional suffering
Mental anguish
Loss of consortium
Loss of quality of life
Wrongful death damages

Know that support is available to you on your journey to recovery. Seeking to recover damages can assist in alleviating the financial burden which can occur after suffering harm from a defective pharmaceutical product.

Contact the hardworking Hawaii Truvada lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm at (314) 310-7924 NOW for your risk-free, no-cost initial case review.