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South Carolina Truvada Lawsuit Attorneys

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) weakens the body’s ability to fight off infections. When left untreated, the condition can progress to AIDS, which can greatly shorten an individual’s life expectancy.

The introduction of antiretroviral drugs in the early 2000s was a major development in alleviating the symptoms and progression of HIV in infected individuals.

In 2004, an antiretroviral prescription called Truvada, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an effective HIV treatment. Gilead Sciences created Truvada (and several other brand name antiviral treatments) which saw much success and profitability.

Truvada is a combination of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), including emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). It is meant to be taken once a day along with other NRTIs.

Unfortunately, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) has been shown to increase the risk of certain serious health complications. Such complications include bone demineralization and kidney failure, and worsened conditions in persons who already suffer from these issues.

Patients who have a history of using Truvada and other TDF-based drugs have begun to file legal claims over their injuries. The claims allege that Gilead Sciences knowingly mass-produced and sold this defective drug and even concealed their knowledge of a safer alternative drug.

If you or a loved one has been prescribed Truvada and since suffered bone loss or kidney damage, know that you may be entitled to compensation. For a FREE, no-hassle case review, contact the South Carolina Truvada lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm by calling (314) 310-7924 today.

The Dangers of Truvada

Prior to commencing antiretroviral therapy (ART), patients are advised to discuss pre-existing conditions and special health considerations with their physician. Like with any prescription drug, there are side effects and certain conditions that can increase the risks associated with these side effects.

While the drug had been trusted to be safe and effective in treating HIV for many years, Gilead Sciences has faced warnings by the FDA regarding the company’s claim that the drug is completely safe and does not cause kidney damage.

Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) work to block reverse transcriptase, this is the enzyme used by the virus during the replication process.

The TDF component in Truvada is effective (and potent) when consumed in higher dosages.

And this is where the dangers of Truvada use emerge.

High exposure to TDF has been discovered to be toxic. Taking this daily regimen has been determined to cause adverse health effects.

Clinical studies and personal cases have revealed that Truvada can cause bone and kidney damage. The following are dangerous conditions which can arise from TDF use:

  • Decreased kidney function
  • Renal damage
  • Kidney failure
  • Bone fractures
  • Broken bones
  • Osteopenia
  • Osteoporosis

If you have taken Truvada to treat your HIV infection and have experienced any of the conditions listed above, seek to pursue compensation for your injuries with the help of the experienced South Carolina Truvada lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm.

Do NOT let Gilead’s willful negligence go unpunished. You deserve to be treated with respect and care. Contact Onder Law Firm right now at (314) 310-7924 for a FREE case evaluation.

About Bone Demineralization and Kidney Damage

Truvada has been linked to kidney issues that can increase in severity if left untreated. The condition can range from kidney damage to total renal failure. Early detection can help to prevent the condition from becoming life-threatening.

Seek medical care if you begin to notice the following signs of kidney troubles:

  • Abnormal bleeding
  • Frequent bruising
  • Anemia
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Decreased appetite
  • Confusion
  • Muscle aches and cramps
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
  • Diarrhea
  • Trouble urinating
  • Dark-colored urine
  • Light-colored stools
  • Dehydration
  • Poor digestion
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Skin rash

Bone issues can also signify some trouble with the kidneys. Truvada patients have reported suffering bone demineralization, which can result in fractures and progress to osteopenia or osteoporosis.

See a doctor if you begin to experience the following symptoms of bone issues:

  • Unexplained back pain
  • Fractured or collapsed vertebra
  • “Rapid” loss of height
  • Stooped posture
  • Extreme bone pain
  • Bone fractures
  • Muscle weakness or pain

Past Truvada Lawsuits

Recent Truvada injury lawsuits were filed by two California residents who began experiencing injuries after being prescribed the TDF-based drug.

Not only did these individuals file personal injury claims but they also initiated a class-action lawsuit for other individuals who had suffered bone loss or kidney-related damages as a result of frequent use of Truvada. The class-action lawsuit aims to recover compensation for all who were prescribed Truvada. Such compensation serves to help alleviate financial damages that resulted from TDF-related injuries.

These lawsuits claim that Gilead Sciences was dishonest about the toxicity of TDF and also that the manufacturer withheld knowledge of a safer drug alternative known as tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF).

The company is alleged to have kept this better option essentially a secret to keep up sales on its TDF-based product. In doing so, physicians and patients were blindsided to the dangers of the drug, and thousands of HIV infected persons were placed in danger while Gilead profited billions from sales.

South Carolina HIV Demographics

There are approximately 1.1 million individuals with HIV living in America. 1 out of 7 HIV infected persons does not know they are infected. In 2016, there were nearly 40,000 new HIV diagnoses across the country.

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men acquire HIV at the highest rates amongst groups. They account for 26,000 new infections each year. 52 percent of all new HIV diagnosis in 2017 occurred in the South.

As per the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control:

  • As of December 2017, there were 19,749 residents living with a diagnosis of HIV (including AIDS) in South Carolina.
  • Men accounted for 13,494 cases.
  • Women accounted for 5,503 cases of individuals living with HIV in the state.
  • In terms of age groups most affected:
    • Individuals ages 50 and over accounted for 8,864 cases.
    • Individuals ages 40 to 49 accounted for 4,558 cases.
    • Individuals ages 30 to 39 accounted for 3,225 cases.
    • Individuals ages 20 to 29 accounted for 2,179 cases.
  • Of those living with HIV in South Carolina:
    • African-American men accounted for 47 percent of all cases.
      • African-American men who had sex with men accounted for 50 percent of diagnosed HIV/AIDS cases by population percentage of total cases in 2015/106.
    • African-American women accounted for 23 percent of all cases.
    • Men of White ethnicity/race accounted for 20 percent of all cases.
    • Women of White ethnicity/race accounted for 5 percent of all cases.
    • Hispanic/Latino men and women accounted for 5 percent of all individuals living with HIV in South Carolina.
  • For the two-year period of 2016 to 2017, 1,520 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in South Carolina.

The United States encourages susceptible groups to get tested regularly so that they may prevent or treat a new case of HIV and reduce life-threatening circumstances caused by the condition.

Filing Your Personal Truvada Lawsuit

Individuals who have been impacted by the toxicity of TDF should pursue damages through a product liability claim. A product liability claim can be brought against a drug manufacturer for a defective product.

In South Carolina, a product liability claim can be brought about under the following elements:

  1. Defect in Design: If a product has a flaw in its design, it can become unreasonably dangerous.
  2. Manufacturing Defect: Errors in the manufacturing of a product can make it dangerous to consumers.
  3. Failure to Warn: Proper instructions, ingredients, and disclosures should be provided for the safe use of a product.

South Carolina product liability claims can be brought under the basis of breach of warranty, negligence, or strict liability.

Because it is difficult for a single person to hold a large and powerful company liable, strict liability has made it easier for victims of defective products to secure damages. Under strict liability, all one must prove is that the product was defective, and as a result, caused them injury.

For a valid claim under strict liability, the following criteria must be met:

  1. The product has a defect which made it unreasonably dangerous to use.
  2. The victim was injured while using the product in its intended manner.
  3. The item is not far off from its original condition.

The statute of limitations, or timeframe to file a claim over a defective product injury, is three years from the date of the injury in South Carolina. Patients who have used Truvada and noticed symptoms of failing bone or kidney health should seek medical attention and then get in contact with a Truvada lawsuit attorney.

Serving Truvada Victims of South Carolina

HIV patients were seeking to get better, yet Gilead’s failure to disclose the dangers of TDF and withholding a safer treatment led to users suffering from dire health complications.

If you or a loved one has been hurt by Gilead and their defective drug, Truvada, you may seek to recover compensation for the injuries you have suffered.

Contact the South Carolina Truvada lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm at (314) 310-7924 for your zero-cost, zero-obligation case evaluation today.

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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