Orlando Truvada Lawsuit Attorneys

The Common and Serious Side Effects of Truvada

Truvada is a combination of the drugs emtricitabine (FTC) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). TDF is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) which reduces the replication of infected HIV cells. People living with HIV take this prescription once a day, and it is most effective when coupled with other HIV treatments.

At one point, more than 80 percent of HIV-diagnosed individuals who began viral suppression started their treatment on Gilead drugs like Truvada. It wasn’t long until individuals began experiencing mild side effects, something that Gilead informed the public about:

• Headaches
• Abdominal pain
• Weight loss
• Nausea
• Difficulty sleeping
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Depression
• Joint pain
• Skin rash

Unfortunately, TDF has also been discovered to cause severe health complications, and Gilead has taken to great lengths to conceal these much more harmful side effects in the past.

Truvada may exacerbate previous or cause new damage to the kidneys. Beware of signs of acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, renal damage and total kidney failure.

Symptoms of kidney complications can include:

• Anemia
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Sore muscles
• Diarrhea
• Itchy skin
• Difficulty sleeping
• Digestive issues
• Loss of appetite
• Confusion
• Seizures
• Abdominal pain
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• Difficulty urinating

Truvada and other TDF drugs worsen existing bone conditions and present new degeneration of the bones. Individuals taking such drugs may experience osteopenia and osteoporosis.

Symptoms of bone complications can include:

• Constant or worsening bone pain
• Bone demineralization
• Extreme bone pain
• Bone fractures
• Muscle weakness

If you experience any of the listed symptoms after taking Truvada, seek medical attention immediately. People living with HIV who are diagnosed with bone demineralization or kidney damage have the right to recover their losses.

Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Gilead

In May 2018, the first series of legal actions were taken against Gilead for Truvada-related injuries. People living with HIV and taking the drug began to link their history of Truvada use to the bone and kidney complications they were now experiencing.

A personal injury case was filed by two individuals in California. Their claims allege that they suffered serious bone and kidney injuries due to the fact that the company withheld a safer alternative of the drug in order to maintain soaring TDF sales.

A class-action lawsuit was also filed by two other California residents. This lawsuit alleges that Gilead misrepresented the safety of Truvada, marketing it as “harmless” despite having knowledge of the toxicity of the drug.

The class-action lawsuit seeks to represent victims of Gilead’s TDF drugs from October of 2001 up until now. Compensation was to be recovered for the injuries these individuals faced, albeit at a reduced amount that is usual in a class-action lawsuit.

The personal injury and the class-action case both address Gilead’s attempt to conceal the more serious side effects of Truvada and their attempt to withhold a safer drug called tenofovir alafenamide (TAF). Gilead is said to have participated in such negligent acts to avoid any conflict with the trusted Truvada name.

In failing to offer the public transparency, Gilead tricked thousands of individuals into thinking their health would improve while on the prescription. As a result, people living with HIV seeking alleviation from the infection’s symptoms were now faced with another set of painful side effects and symptoms.

Who is Most Affected By The Truvada Lawsuit?

Certain groups across America experience sexually transmitted disease and infection at higher rates than others. This is largely due to the lack of educational resources, poverty, and an overall stigma around STIs/STDs such demographics face.

LGBT individuals, specifically men who have sex with men (MSM), and racial minorities continue to be the groups most impacted by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In 2017, Black MSM, Hispanic MSM, and White MSM experienced the highest rates of HIV infection in the United States.

The number of total annual diagnoses has been on the rise in the central-most part of Florida since 2013. Out of all large cities in America, Orlando came in second for highest rates of new HIV cases.

Statistics for HIV diagnoses in Orlando for the year 2017 are as follows:

• In 2017, the city experienced 730 new cases of the infection.
• That same year, 12,735 people were living with HIV in Orlando.
• 38 percent of those living with HIV were Black.
• 3 percent were Hispanic.
• 9 percent were White.
• 5 percent of all those living with HIV were male.
• 190 individuals living with HIV died that same year.
• 45 percent of people diagnosed with AIDS were Black.

Healthcare professionals and advocates encourage individuals to get tested for HIV and begin antiretroviral treatment upon diagnosis. ART helps those infected to better manage symptoms and control the spread of the infection.

When not treated, HIV may progress to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is important to take action against this succession, as life expectancy is diminished to three years after an AIDS diagnosis.

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men are all more likely to begin ART. Consider quitting Truvada if health complications arise, or seek alternative treatment plans if you are to begin HIV treatment.

How Do I File A Truvada Lawsuit?

Individuals with similar cases against Gilead have been collectively represented in class-action lawsuits in other states. Your Truvada injury case, however, is unique and worthy of maximum compensation in an independent personal injury claim.

Drug manufacturers can be sued in a product liability claim under the following grounds:

1. Manufacturing defects: The manufacturer is liable for any injuries caused by a drug that was tainted or made unsafe in the manufacturing process. Usually, only one or some drugs out of a whole batch are dangerous.
2. Design defects: The manufacturer is liable for injuries caused by a drug that was created with dangerous side effects which were not corrected before manufacturing. The whole batch of drugs is likely to be dangerous.
3. Marketing defects (Failure to warn): The manufacturer may also be held accountable for withholding side effects, instructions, or other disclaimers which can inform consumers who are unaware of the dangers associated with Truvada. This also relates to the false efficacy of a product.

If you have been injured by TDF, suffering bone or kidney damage, know that you may take legal action under the company’s “failure to warn” and concealing an effective treatment.

With the help of well-versed Truvada lawsuit attorneys, you can pursue damages by establishing necessary evidence on a defective product. In the state of Florida, the statute of limitations to file a product liability claim is 4 years from the date of the incident which caused such injury.

As for those who have lost a loved one to a Truvada-related wrongful death, the statute of limitations to file is two years from the date your loved one perished.

Damages that may be pursued in a Truvada personal injury claim include the following:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Wrongful death
• Loss of companionship/ consortium
• Punitive damages

Remember that you should seek a doctor upon noticing TDF-induced symptoms and keep a record of treatment and medical costs. Act to file your claim quickly. Failing to file a product liability claim within the statute of limitations could be seen as forfeiture in the eyes of the civil court.

Orlando Truvada Lawsuit Attorneys Ready To Serve You

Individuals who have a history with Truvada and have thus faced bone demineralization or kidney damage need the help of knowledgeable and experienced attorneys to recover maximum compensation in a defective product claim.

A quality legal team will provide the following services to ensure your best recovery:

• Consistent and clear communication throughout the legal process.
• Diligent investigation and building of evidence to support your claim.
• Access to accident reconstruction specialists and medical field experts.
• Care and support during your difficult times.
• Increased chance of securing maximum compensation for your losses.

If you or someone you care for has been devastatingly affected by TDF drugs such as Truvada, you have every right to recuperate damages to help alleviate the financial effects of medical bills and related losses.

Receive a FREE case evaluation when you contact the Orlando Truvada lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm by calling (314) 310-7924 or contacting us online now.