New Jersey Truvada Attorneys

Truvada is an antiretroviral drug used in the management of HIV. While the drug has seen a high level of success, its manufacturer, Gilead Science Inc., has recently begun to face lawsuits from users who have suffered serious damages from taking the medication.

The issue stems from the company’s use of a medicinal component known as tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). Studies have shown that TDF is correlated with bone density loss, which, in turn, is tied into kidney-related issues.

And Gilead Sciences Inc. has been fully aware of this for years. The company even went so far as to stifle an alternative form of the medication that would have been much safer for users.

But there is hope.

Our trustworthy New Jersey Truvada lawsuit lawyers at Onder Law Firm are ready to provide the quality legal counseling you need to hold this pharmaceutical company responsible. Contact us right now at (314) 310-7924 for a FREE, no-obligation consultation.

The Basics of Truvada and Its Dangers

Truvada is a once-a-day tablet that was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2004 for the management of HIV. In 2012, the FDA approved it as a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for people who do not have the virus but who are at high risk of infection, including those who are in a serodiscordant relationship.

What makes Truvada so effective is two medicinal components known as emtricitabine (FTC) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). These components are known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). NRTIs work by preventing a particular HIV enzyme from multiplying, thus reducing the amount of HIV-infected cells within the body.

The issue at hand is that studies have linked TDF with significant loss of bone mineral density. Over time, bone demineralization can lead to brittle bones and even osteoporosis. When coupled with a variety of other factors, including genetics and unhealthy lifestyle habits, the use of Truvada can lead to an increased risk of bone fractures or breaks.

As Truvada causes demineralization, the kidneys must filter out this excess of calcium and other minerals. This can be problematic for a user’s kidneys and ultimately lead to health-related complications including kidney disease.

Clinical studies showed that Gilead Science was fully aware of these dangers and yet ignored the warnings. To make matters worse, the company had been in the process of creating an alternative component known as tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF).

TAF-based medicines are just as effective as TDF-based medications but do not require such a large dose and thus do not pose the same risks to users.

About Truvada Bone-Related Injuries

Bones are made primarily from collagen protein, calcium phosphate, and calcium carbonate. Old bone is broken down in a process known as resorption, while new bone is created in a process known as formation.

Truvada affects these processes, leading to bone breaking down faster than it can be created. When this happens, bone loss begins to occur. Individuals affected by HIV already face an increased risk of bone loss. Research has shown that bone loss occurs at a higher rate in those with HIV in comparison to those without it.

Factors that can affect bone loss rate include:

Age
Gender
A lack of physical activity
Diet
Genetics
Unhealthy lifestyle habits (smoking & alcohol)
Other medical/health problems

While Truvada is one of the more recognized HIV Medications medications on the market, there are several additional drugs which are believed to cause similar effects. Individuals should take note of the following drugs which contain TDF:

Viread
Stribild
Atripla
Symfi Lo
Complera
CimDuo
Genvoya

If preventative measures are not taken, then bone-related health issues can arise, including:

Discomfort in extremities
Decreased bone mineral density
Osteoporosis
Bone loss or osteopenia
Bone fractures
Breaks

Oftentimes, users may not even be aware they are suffering from bone demineralization until they suffer an unexpected break or fracture. Areas that are prone to fractures or breaks include:

Hips
Wrists
Forearms
Ribs
Spinal vertebrae

If you have been taking Truvada, talk to your doctor immediately to learn more about what tests can be conducted to better understand whether or not you have been affected by bone mineral density loss and to what degree.

You should not have to suffer from bone-related health issues after taking Truvada. Contact the New Jersey Truvada lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm at (314) 310-7924 to schedule your FREE consultation.

Kidney Injuries Related to Truvada Use

While individuals with HIV already face an increased risk of chronic kidney disease and acute renal failure, research done at the San Francisco VA Medical Center (SFVAMC) and the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) revealed that the risk of developing kidney issues grew by 33 percent each year when exposed to TDF.

While bone demineralization is certainly a cause for concern, kidney disease can be catastrophic to a Truvada user’s quality of life. If kidney health issues are not resolved in time, they may ultimately lead to irreversible kidney failure.

When kidney damage caused by Truvada becomes significant, you may begin to suffer from chronic kidney disease (CKD). Sign and symptoms of CKD include:

Chest pain
Itching or numbness
Increased or decreased urination
Swelling in feet and ankles
Muscle cramps
Nausea
Shortness of breath
Weakness
Vomiting
Weight loss
Anemia
Bone disease
Cognitive issues

If renal function falls below 25 percent then other health issues can arise including increased risk of a heart attack or stroke. Kidney failure is the last stage of CKD and typically requires dialysis and/or a kidney transplant.

Death is a very real possibility if CKD and kidney failure are not properly treated.

Overview of HIV Statistics in New Jersey

The State of New Jersey Department of Health website provides valuable insight into the rates and reported numbers of HIV/AIDS cases within the state.

As per estimates reported as of December 31, 2017:

There were 37,411 persons in New Jersey living with HIV/AIDS.
The prevalence rate for the state was 418 cases per 100,000 population.

Counties in the State of New Jersey which saw the highest rates of HIV positive infection or AIDS as of December 31, 2017 included:

Essex County with a rate of 1,204 people with HIV/AIDS per 100,000 population.
Union County with a rate of 518 people with HIV/AIDS per 100,000 population.
Atlantic County with a rate of 505 people with HIV/AIDS per 100,000 population.
Passaic County with a rate of 484 people with HIV/AIDS per 100,000 population.
Mercer County with a rate of 414 people with HIV/AIDS per 100,000 population.
Cumberland County with a rate of 403 people with HIV/AIDS per 100,000 population.

The AIDSVu organization also provides statistics regarding HIV diagnoses and other categories that individuals living with the condition should be aware of:

There were 1,108 new HIV diagnoses in 2017.
The rate of new HIV diagnoses was 15 people per 100,000 population in 2017.
The HIV mortality rate stood at 9 deaths per 100,000 people in 2016.
There were a total of 646 deaths of people with HIV in 2016.

If you have been taking Truvada as a means to treat your HIV condition and have begun to suffer from bone or kidney-related issues, do NOT hesitate to contact the New Jersey Truvada lawsuit lawyers of Onder Law Firm for a FREE consultation.

Populations Most at Risk of HIV in New Jersey

There are a number of demographic groups who have been most affected by HIV/AIDs in New Jersey. These populations include:

African Americans

As of December 31, 2017, New Jersey ranked 6th among the 50 states in the number of African Americans living with HIV/AIDS.
African Americans account for 49.7 percent of living with HIV/AIDS in the state through 2017.
Nearly 60 percent of women living with HIV/AIDs in New Jersey were African American.
Nearly 45 percent of men living with HIV/AIDS in New Jersey were African American.

Gay and/or Bisexual Men

As of December 31, 2017, men who have sex with men (MSM) accounted for 21,091 HIV/AIDS diagnoses in New Jersey.
HIV infections reported amongst this demographic has steadily increased since 2008.
MSM accounted for 31 percent of all people living with HIV/AIDS in 2017 in New Jersey.
Essex County had the highest number of MSM living with HIV/AIDS in 2017.
Latinos
In 2015, Latinos made up 34 percent of annual new HIV/AIDS diagnoses.
Latinos face a rate 3.82 times greater than White non-Hispanics.
Latinos account for nearly 28 percent of individuals living with HIV/AIDS in New Jersey.
Hudson County has the highest number of Latinos living with HIV/AIDS among New Jersey’s 21 counties with 2,186 individuals affected by the condition.

Women

New Jersey has historically been affected by one of the highest proportions of HIV infections occurring in females. In 2014, women accounted for nearly 27 percent of new HIV/AIDS diagnoses in adults/adolescents in the state.
Women of color represent the majority of HIV infections; African Americans account for 57 percent and Hispanics at 30 percent.
Heterosexual contact appears to be the greatest risk factor for women (56 percent in 2016).
In 2016, forty-two percent of women living with HIV/AIDS were between 20 to 49 years old.

It is important to note these populations as they are likely to include individuals who have a higher likelihood of being prescribed or taking Truvada and thus being affected by its side effects.

Contact our New Jersey Truvada lawsuit lawyers at (314) 310-7924 to set up your FREE legal consultation.