Oklahoma Truvada Lawyers

The antiretroviral medication, Truvada, was developed by Gilead Sciences, Inc., and first approved as a once-daily tablet by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August of 2004. The drug was initially approved as a form of treatment for individuals with HIV-1.

For years the drug has held a dominant position in the HIV drug marketplace because of its effectiveness. In just 2018, Gilead Sciences earned over $3 billion in sales from the drug.

But this miracle drug is truly far from one.

Lawsuits against Gilead Sciences have developed recently, with users of Truvada claiming that the company’s product has left them suffering from serious bone loss issues and kidney-related damages. What first started in California has spread all across the nation, and now, Truvada users in every state are emerging with their own tales of pain and suffering.

The Oklahoma Truvada lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm are currently investigating claims by those who are dealing with health issues after using Truvada. Contact our trustworthy attorneys today at (314) 310-7924 for a FREE case evaluation. We will help to determine if you have a valid claim on your hands and can guide you through the entire legal process.

TDF Component in Truvada Linked to Bone and Kidney Damages

The issue with Truvada appears to stem from the excessive quantities of the component tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) found in the drug. A nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, TDF works by stopping the activity of the enzyme known as reverse transcriptase. It is this particular enzyme which HIV utilizes to replicate itself in healthy cells.

Unfortunately, large doses of TDF must be taken in order to be effective, and this is where issues arise. Studies have linked Truvada to bone loss and kidney damages, including one particular study which measured the effects of TDF on over 1,700 HIV positive individuals.

This study found quantifiable bone loss when compared to another component known as tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) – and this is where things begin to unravel for Gilead Sciences. To begin with, plaintiffs are arguing that Gilead Sciences was initially developing a TAF-based HIV drug alongside its TDF-based Truvada in the early 2000s.

TAF has been shown to be just as effective as TDF but without causing the same level of bone and kidney damages. Thus, it is believed the pharmaceutical giant was well aware of this safer alternative for YEARS and yet held back its development simply for the sake of profit. Furthermore, throughout the years, the FDA has warned the company multiple times about its failure to properly warn users about Truvada’s toxicity and was even warned about making claims that its product was non-toxic and had zero-risk of damaging kidneys.

Despite what research has shown, and Gilead’s numerous wrongdoings, the company continued to promote its product as completely safe, and raked in billions in the process – while the lives of innocent victims were broken.

About Bone-Related and Kidney-Related Health Issues Caused by Truvada

Individuals living in Oklahoma who have taken Truvada may have begun to suffer from several bone-related health issues caused by bone demineralization (bone loss). While it can be difficult to measure bone loss in its initial stages, there are certain signs and symptoms which suggest that you may need to seek medical attention to identify the issue at hand.

These symptoms of bone loss can include:

Unexplained back pain
Fractured or collapsed vertebra
“Rapid” loss of height
Stooped posture

If no steps are taken to remedy the situation, then Truvada users may begin to deal with:

Discomfort and pain in arms and legs
Osteopenia
Osteoporosis
Fracture or breaks after minor incidents
Dental health problems (loss of teeth)

Individuals with osteoporosis most commonly suffer from fractures to their spine, hips, wrists, or forearms.

Moreover, bone loss is not the only health problem that users may face. Because of the sheer amount of TDF in Truvada, users may end up dealing with kidney damage. As the kidneys can no longer work at full capacity, a whole host of problems can begin to arise, including further bone loss complications as bone-building minerals are no longer able to make their way into the bloodstream.

Sadly, Truvada users have noted the following kidney problems:

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Declining kidney function/decreased urination
Acute kidney injury
Acute renal failure
Kidney failure

If you have begun to note any of the following symptoms after using Truvada for some time, then it is in your best interest to seek out medical attention immediately:

Chest pain
Dry skin
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
Nosebleeds
Abdominal pain
Back pain
Fever

It is also worth noting that kidney failure greatly increases your risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke.

If you are dealing with bone loss or kidney-related health issues, know that there is a team of lawyers you can trust and depend on. Contact the Oklahoma Truvada lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm right now at (314) 310-7924 for a FREE case evaluation.

HIV in Oklahoma

Groups affected by Truvada are those who are most susceptible to contracting HIV.

Tulsacares.org has noted some important facts about HIV in Oklahoma, including:

An average of one person is diagnosed with HIV every day in Oklahoma.
An estimated 4,944 people are living with HIV/AIDS in the state.
African Americans, Hispanics, and American Indians face significantly higher rates of HIV infections in comparison to their White peers.
Three counties accounted for 70 percent of HIV/AIDS cases diagnosed in 2012: Oklahoma, Tulsa, and Cleveland.
Heterosexual contact was the most commonly reported risk factor for females (45.3 percent of all new diagnoses came through this transmission type).
Individuals between the ages of 40 to 59 years old accounted for 60.3 percent of all individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Oklahoma.

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

In 2015, there were an estimated 319 adults and adolescents who were diagnosed with HIV in Oklahoma.
That same year, the state ranked 27th among the 50 states in the number of HIV diagnoses.
Individuals who were of White race/ethnicity accounted for 47 percent of all individuals living with HIV in Oklahoma in 2015.
Individuals who were of Black race/ethnicity accounted for 23.8 percent of all individuals living with HIV in Oklahoma in 2015.
Hispanics/Latinos accounted for 13.2 percent of those living with HIV in Oklahoma in 2015.
Men who have sex with men (MSM) are, unfortunately, at the highest risk of contracting HIV. These individuals accounted for 67.4 percent of all cases in Oklahoma in 2015.

Additionally, as per the Oklahoma Policy Institute:

In 2012, Black males constituted a disproportionate amount of diagnosis despite accounting for only seven percent of the state’s population.
Black Oklahomans accounted for 25% of new diagnoses.
Males accounted for 81.7 percent of new HIV diagnoses.

What Compensation Can I Recover From a Roundup Lawsuit?

If you have suffered kidney injuries or bone loss as a result of taking Truvada, you may be able to hold Gilead accountable for the damages you have suffered. Our attorneys will carefully review your claim to ensure that we are able to secure all forms of compensation available to you.

Depending on the specifics of your claim, our Oklahoma Truvada lawsuit attorneys will seek to recover damages for but not limited to:

Past and future medical expenses
Past and future pain and suffering
Lost wages (past and future)
Loss of earning capacity
Loss of quality of life
Loss of consortium
Emotional damages
Wrongful death damages
Punitive damages

With our years of experience in representing clients that have been affected by defective drugs, we know what it takes to deliver the results you need to get your life back on track. Do not suffer in silence because of Gilead Sciences’ negative actions. Hope is just a phone call away when you contact Onder Law Firm.

How the Oklahoma Defective Drug Attorneys of Onder Law Firm Can Help

Our lawyers have finely-tuned their skills in order to provide the best legal counseling for you. Our team has helped to secure over $3 billion in settlements for our clients and we are dedicated to delivering dependable results for you.

We will work diligently to ensure the best in customer service because we truly care about each case we handle. We will be with you every step of the way so that you are NOT overwhelmed by the process and will provide an open line of communication so that we can answer your questions and alleviate any concerns that you may have.

Trust in our experienced Truvada lawsuit attorneys to:

Thoroughly investigate the link between Truvada and the injuries you have suffered.
Provide personalized attention and quality legal counseling.
Work alongside a team of medical, scientific, and other legal professionals to fully understand the relationship between Truvada and the bone or kidney damages you have suffered.
Help you secure the evidence you need to develop a strong claim.
Represent you in your dealings with insurance companies to ensure you are treated fairly.
Effectively represent you in court if necessary.

You have enough to handle in your life; leave the legal burden of your claim to our capable defective drug lawsuit attorneys.

If you live in Oklahoma, have taken Truvada to manage your HIV-1 condition, and have begun to suffer from bone loss or kidney-related health issues, do NOT hesitate to contact our attorneys immediately. Our Oklahoma Truvada lawsuit attorneys are ready to hear your story.

Contact Onder Law Firm today at (314) 310-7924 for a FREE case evaluation.