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Missouri Truvada Lawsuit Attorneys

Truvada is a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drug manufactured by pharmaceutical giant Gilead Sciences Inc.

Thousands of Americans living with HIV use the drug in an effort to control the effects and spread of the virus. While the drug first appeared to be a lifesaver, its long term side effects have finally come to light, and it appears as if it is far from being the ideal treatment.

Gilead is now facing lawsuits from plaintiffs alleging that the company withheld vital information about the dangers of a key ingredient in the drug known as tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). This component has been linked to serious bone and kidney complications.

If you or someone you love has sustained bone and/or kidney complications as a result of using Truvada, seek the help of the dedicated Missouri Truvada lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm.

Call (314) 310-7924 right now to connect with our experienced and knowledgeable Missouri defective drug attorneys.

The Science Behind How Truvada Treats HIV

In 2004, the FDA first approved Truvada as a treatment for HIV. By 2012, Truvada was being marketed as an effective preventative measure for those at high risk of contracting the sexually transmitted infection. 

It is two active agents in Truvada which work to prevent the replication of HIV-infected cells. These two chemicals are embtricibrate (FTC) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF).

The reverse transcriptase enzyme inhibitors in the drug control and minimize the spread of HIV in those who are affected, as well as at-risk Americans, when used in combination with safer sex practices.

Recently, scientific evidence has begun to emerge concerning the link between TDF-based medications and bone and kidney health complications. Now, individuals who had a history of using Truvada have begun to come forward citing these same issues.

Other TDF-based medications that have been developed and marketed by Gilead Sciences include:

  • Atripla
  • Complera
  • Stribild
  • Viread

If you or a loved one have developed bone and/or kidney complications and have a history of taking Gilead Sciences TDF-based medications, including Truvada, you should seek the legal support of the Missouri Truvada lawsuit attorneys at Onder Law Firm

Contact us today at (314) 310-7924 for a FREE case evaluation.

Health Complications Related to the Use of TDF-Based Medication Truvada

The dangers of TDF lie in the excessive amounts needed to be taken in order to be effective at treating HIV cell replication. The following are symptoms that victims of Truvada may experience which signify deteriorating health caused by excess amounts of the toxic chemical in the body:

An overproduction of “serum creatinine” in the body can be an initial sign of chronic kidney disease. If this condition is not treated in a timely manner it can lead to the following kidney complications:

  • Decreased urination
  • Declining kidney function
  • Acute kidney Injury
  • Acute renal failure
  • Fanconi syndrome
  • Renal failure

Bone demineralization, or loss of bone minerals, is another significant indicator of declining health caused by TDF in the body. Bone mineral loss impacts the ability of the bones to repair or strengthen themselves, which, over time, can cause the following serious bone-related health issues:

  • Extreme bone discomfort
  • Decrease in bone mineral density
  • Osteoporosis (bone deterioration)
  • Osteopenia (bone loss)
  • Dental complications
  • Bone fractures/ breaks

These health complications can be much more severe if an individual has pre-existing bone or kidney conditions. An additional health complication commonly reported amongst TDF-product users is the excess production of lactic acid, or lactic acidosis, which results in symptoms that can include muscle aches, burning sensations, stomach cramps, difficulty breathing, and death.

About the Lawsuits Filed Against Gilead Sciences

Two men from California who suffered Truvada-related health complications filed a claim alleging that Gilead Sciences had conducted unethical business practices which included:

  1. Having knowledge of the dangers and health complications associated with TDF-based medications and withholding this information from both oversight agencies, users, and medical professionals.
  2. Withholding a safer alternative called tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) which works in the same enzyme inhibiting manner as TDF but requires significantly lower doses.

Frustratingly, the pharmaceutical company knowingly kept a dangerous medication on the market in order to maintain profit and market dominance. Given that their patent on TDF-based medications – including Truvada – was set to expire in 2015, Gilead set TAF aside for later introduction as the ‘improved version’ of the antiretroviral drug.

Their scheme allowed the company to generate billions in profit. Meanwhile, thousands of Americans that used Truvada were left to suffer serious injuries that could ultimately result in a loss of life. 

Class action lawsuits have emerged to hold Gilead Sciences accountable for their unethical actions.

If you or a loved one has suffered from Truvada-related injuries and want to seek justice for the damages you have endured, then contact the Missouri Truvada lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm at (314) 310-7924 for a FREE case evaluation. 

HIV Affected Groups Demographics in Missouri

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified Missouri as 1 of the 7 states with a “substantial rural burden” for HIV given that the state has a higher percentage of affected individuals in rural areas in comparison to other states.

From 2013 to 2016, the state experienced a 10 percent increase in the number of new cases of HIV diagnoses. Furthermore, 13 counties in Missouri were deemed by the CDC to be at risk of HIV or hepatitis C outbreak.

These counties include Bates, Cedar, St. Francois, Hickory, Wayne, Ozark, Wright, Iron, Madison, Reynolds, Ripley, Crawford, and Washington counties.

As per the CDC:

  • There were approximately 13,700 individuals living in Missouri with HIV in 2017.
  • Missouri had the 24th-highest rate of new HIV diagnoses in 2017 with 506 new cases diagnosed.
  • 14 percent of those infected with HIV – or approximately 1,800 people – are unaware of their status.

As per provisional data collected by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services:

  • There were 10,625 males living with HIV in Missouri in 2017.
  • There were 2,265 females living with HIV in the state in 2017.
  • The age groups most affected by HIV are individuals 45-years and older and account for 7,633 cases. Individuals between the ages of 25 to 44 accounted for 4,709.

In terms of race/ethnicity:

  • Whites accounted for 6,098 cases in 2017.
  • African Americans living with HIV totaled 5,930 cases.
  • Hispanics/Latinos accounted for 581 cases of those living with HIV in Missouri.

Additionally:

  • Men who have sex with men (MSM) accounted for 8,049 cases of individuals living with HIV in the State of Missouri in 2017.
  • Heterosexual contact was the second-highest transmission category with 1,907 cases.
  • Injection drug use accounted for 667 cases of individuals living with HIV in 2017. 

Populations of HIV infected individuals may have been prescribed Truvada as a preventative or control measure. As a result, they may have fallen victim to the dangers of TDF-based medications including bone demineralization, kidney failure, and/or lactic acidosis.

Missouri Product Liability Law

Pharmaceutical liability is the set of laws that affect manufacturers who have products that cause consumers harm or injury. The statute of limitations to file a claim against negligent manufacturers in the state of Missouri is five (5) years from when the injury occurs.

Victims of personal injury caused by defective products may bring about a civil claim on the grounds of strict liability, negligence, or the failure of the manufacturer to advise about potential dangers of the product (side effects).

The three types of defects that can occur in pharmaceutical liability are as follows:

  1. Design Defect- The manufacturer fails to design the drug or medical device in a way that is completely safe for its intended use. This generally affects every item in the product line.
  1. Manufacturing Defect- Rather than an error in design, this is an error made in the manufacturing process. Failure to use safe or proper materials, or failure to use proper quality controls during manufacturing are examples of manufacturing defect.
  1. Marketing Defect – This occurs when the manufacturer fails to make consumers aware of the intended use, related side effects, or potential dangers associated with the product.

The following are damages that victims of Gilead Sciences’ TDF-based products, such as Truvada, may be compensated for:

  • Medical Bills (past, present, and future)
  • Pain and Suffering
  • Lost Wages (past, present, and future)
  • Loss of Earning Capacity
  • Loss of Quality of Life
  • Loss of Consortium
  • Emotional Damages
  • Wrongful Death Damages

LGBT groups and racial minorities that trusted Gilead Sciences’ products to treat HIV are now suffering. If you took Truvada and face serious health complications such as bone and kidney issues, you may be a victim of the unethical pharmaceutical business practices of Gilead.

Contact the dedicated Missouri Truvada lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm to see if your case qualifies. Reach us at (314) 310-7924 for a FREE legal consultation.

Our team is ready to help you with your Truvada case Call (314) 310-7924

This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. Past results afford no guarantee of future results. Every case is different and must be judged on its own merits. Results include Co-lead counsel on Yaz MDL & co-liaison leadership role in Pradaxa MDL.

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