Atripla Lawsuit Attorney

In 2018, two lawsuits arose in California from plaintiffs alleging that they had suffered debilitating side effects as a result of taking the HIV medication, Atripla, which is manufactured by Gilead Sciences Inc.

One of the plaintiffs was diagnosed in 2013 with HIV and prescribed Atriplia which he continued to take until 2017. The other plaintiff was first prescribed Atripla in 2005 after being diagnosed with HIV and used the medication until 2015. The lawsuits claim that both individuals have suffered bone density complications as a result of using Atripla.

Since then, class action lawsuits have begun to spring up around the nation, including one in California on behalf of those “who were prescribed and ingested Viread, Truvada, and or Atripla from October 26, 2001, through the present.”

If you or a loved one are suffering health complications such as bone density loss, fractures, renal impairment, or kidney-related health issues, contact Onder Law Firm right now at (314) 310-7924 to learn about your legal options.

The Basics of Atripla

Atripla is an HIV medication made from three (3) different drugs: efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). Atripla can be used alone or in combination with other medications to help control the virus in individuals who have been affected.

The tenofovir and emtricitabine components in Atripla are known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and help to block reverse transcriptase – an enzyme HIV uses to replicate.

When used in conjunction with other healthy lifestyle behaviors, Atripla is meant to protect the health of users. However, recent lawsuits have brought the product’s safety under inspection.

If you or a loved one have taken Atripla and have begun to suffer from bone-related or kidney-related health issues, contact our Atripla lawsuit attorneys right now at (314) 310-7924 for a FREE case evaluation.

Side Effects Related to Atripla Use

Atripla has been associated with several common side effects and serious conditions. If any of the following side effects persist or worsen, it is in your best interest to seek out medical attention:

Dizziness
Trouble sleeping
Drowsiness
Tiredness
Headache
Diarrhea
Rash
Blisters
Fever
Skin discoloration

As individuals begin to take Atripla, their immune system may become overactive, and they may begin to suffer from:

Unexplained weight loss
Muscle aches/weakness
Severe headaches
Joint pain
Issues with vision
Signs of infections

Another cause for concern is that the combination of efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir can lead to serious psychological side effects including depression, thoughts of suicide, anxiety, increased hostility, confusion, and hallucinations.

Speak with your doctor right away if you begin to notice any changes in your body or with your mental health.

The Tenofovir in Atripla Can Increase the Risk of Bone Loss

The tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) component in Atripla has been linked to bone mineral loss. While our bones naturally break down in a process known as resorption, Atripla increases the speed at which this process occurs, and thus causes excessive bone loss that can lead to additional health complications for users.

If no preventative actions are taken to stop bone demineralization caused by Atripla, then users may begin to suffer from:

Discomfort and pain in arms and legs
Fractures and breaks
Osteopenia
Osteoporosis

Symptoms that an individual may be suffering from weakened bones (osteopenia) generally go unnoticed until a fracture or bone-injury takes place. On the other hand, there are several tell-tale signs associated with osteoporosis which should prompt you to seek out medical attention. While there are typically no signs in the early stages of bone loss, over time you may begin to notice:

Unexplained back pain
Fractured or collapsed vertebra
“Rapid” loss of height
Stooped posture
Suffering a fracture or break after a minor incident

It is worth noting that individuals who are HIV positive generally face an increased risk of bone density loss. The effects of the condition often results in bone loss occurring at a quicker rate than in those who are not infected. However, alongside the virus and HIV medications such as Atripla, several other factors can increase bone loss as well:

Age
Family history and genetics
Diet
Lifestyle habits (drinking alcohol and smoking increase bone loss)
Physical inactivity
Other medications such as steroids or antacids

Are you dealing with bone density loss, a fracture, break, or osteoporosis after taking Atripla? You may have the right to legal restitution. Contact Onder Law Firm today to fight back against Gilead Sciences Inc.

Other Serious Injuries Atripla Can Cause

Alongside bone-related injuries, the TDF component found in Atripla has also been correlated with causing kidney damage. For instance, a plaintiff in San Diego County took TDF-based medications for 10 years and was ultimately diagnosed with a rare kidney disorder known as Fanconi syndrome.

The issue with TDF-based medications is that they must be taken in large doses which can lead to irreparable damage to the kidneys. Over time, the components within Atripal, along with the bone demineralization, can lead to

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Declining Kidney Function/Decreased Urination
Acute Kidney Injury
Acute Renal Failure
Fanconi Syndrome
Kidney Failure

When damage to the kidneys becomes significant, you may begin to suffer the symptoms of chronic kidney disease, which include:

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

Of major concern to individuals who have begun to suffer from CKD as a result of taking Atripla is that the condition is generally progressive, in that it gets worse over time. The last stage of kidney disease is kidney failure. Symptoms of kidney failure include:

Abdominal pain
Back pain
Diarrhea
Fever
Nosebleeds
Rash
Vomiting

Common complications associated with kidney failure include anemia, bone disease, heart disease, high potassium, fluid buildup and an increased risk of having a stroke or heart attack. Dialysis is used to treat kidney failure.

You trust in Gilead Sciences Inc. to provide you a life-saving medicine, but they have instead jeopardized your well-being. Do not allow them to dismiss your pain and suffering. Contact Onder Law Firm at (314) 310-7924 to secure the justice and financial recovery you deserve.

Demographics Most Affected by HIV

There are approximately 1.1 million people in the United States living with HIV. Concerningly, 1 in 7 are unaware that they have contracted the virus. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were nearly 39,000 new HIV diagnoses in the U.S. in 2017.

In terms of demographic groups who are most affected by HIV and who would thus be candidates for Atripla treatment:

Gay and Bisexual Men

Gay and bisexual men are the demographic group most affected by HIV. According to the CDC, in 2017, gay and bisexual men accounted for 66 percent (25,748) of HIV diagnoses and 82 percent of diagnoses among males. It is estimated that nearly 64 percent of new HIV infection among MSM (men who have sex with men) are minority men including African-American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian/Pacific Islanders, and Native American/Hawaiian.

Ethnic Minorities

African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos are two subgroups at particular risk of contracting HIV. In 2017, African Americans accounted for 43 percent (16,694) of HIV diagnoses while making up 13 percent of the total population. Hispanics/Latinos accounted for 26 percent (9,908) of HIV diagnoses while making up 18 percent of the total U.S. population.

Heterosexuals

Heterosexuals make a major demographic group who are affected by HIV. In 2017, heterosexuals accounted for 24 percent of HIV diagnoses. That same year, heterosexual men accounted for 7 percent of HIV diagnoses while heterosexual women accounted for 16 percent of HIV diagnoses. Nearly 59 percent of these women were African American, while 86 percent of these cases were transmitted through heterosexual contact.

Women between the ages of 25 to 44 accounted for 50 percent of all new HIV diagnoses in 2017 as well.

Injection Drug Users

Individuals who inject drugs are at a significant risk of developing HIV. As per the CDC, men who injected drugs accounted for 4 percent of new diagnoses in 2017 while women accounted for 3 percent. In total, this demographic group accounted for 6 percent of HIV diagnoses.

Serodiscordant Couples

Couples in which one person is HIV-positive and the other is not are known as serodiscordant or mixed serostatus couples. Individuals in a serodiscordant relationship may choose to take Atripla in order to help reduce the risk of transmitting the virus from one partner to the other.

Contact our Atripla lawsuit attorneys today at (314) 310-7924 to set up your FREE legal consultation.

Compensation Onder Law Firm Can Help You Recover for Your Atripla Injuries

At Onder Law Firm, our Atripla lawsuit attorneys have a thorough understanding of how to help clients secure full and fair compensation for the damages they have suffered. We will thoroughly investigate your claim to help you secure compensation for:

Medical Bills (past, present, and future bills related to your Atripla injury)
Lost Wages (past, present, and future)
Pain and Suffering
Decreased Quality of Life
Loss of Consortium
Out-of-Pocket Expenses

You are not alone in your fight against the makers of Atripla. We have the skills and knowledge to get the job done right. Depend on Onder Law Firm during your time of need. Contact us today at (314) 310-7924 for your FREE, no-obligation consultation.