Denver Truvada Lawsuit Attorneys

The medical management of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) can include the use of antiretroviral drugs such as Truvada.

Truvada works by targeting the HIV enzyme known as reverse transcriptase. This particular enzyme converts RNA into DNA and helps in the replication of HIV. By targeting this particular stage of the HIV life-cycle, Truvada (when used in combination with other antiretroviral drugs) can prevent infections that can lead to death.

First approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2004, Truvada has since become one of the most recognized and frequently prescribed antiretroviral drugs. Gilead Sciences, Inc., manufactures the drug, which is made from a combination of the medicinal components, emtricitabine (FTC) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF).

While Truvada has been held in high esteem for years, unfortunately, users have begun to emerge with stories of how the drug caused them to suffer serious health issues including bone loss and kidney damages. If you or a loved one has suffered from any of the previously mentioned health conditions after using Truvada for antiretroviral therapy, know that you may be eligible to recover compensation.

Contact the Denver Truvada lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm right now at (314) 310-7924 for a FREE legal consultation.

Serious Side Effects of Truvada

Truvada is taken as a once-daily pill. Users should always discuss potential side effects, pre-existing conditions, and address any concerns with their physician prior to starting the treatment.

Of cause and concern is the TDF component in Truvada, which is found in a sizable quantity in the drug. TDF has been linked in several studies to bone demineralization (bone loss) and kidney failure.

In order to maintain their strength, bones must regenerate cells by use of minerals in the blood. TDF interrupts this reconstruction of bone strength which can ultimately lead to osteopenia that can then develop into osteoporosis. These conditions greatly increase the risk of users suffering from fractures, breaks, or even bone death.

Additionally, the exorbitant amount of TDF in a user’s bloodstream can be overwhelming for their kidneys. Truvada can overwork the kidneys, the body’s filtration system, and cause a user to suffer from chronic kidney disease. If the issue is not addressed, users may experience permanent renal damage or complete kidney failure which can only be treated with dialysis or an organ transplant.

It is also believed that kidney damage further contributes to bone loss in users. When kidneys are no longer able to function at full capacity, they become unable to restore vital bone-building nutrients and vitamins back into the user’s bloodstream, thus further harming the victim.

Whether you have begun to suffer from these health complications or have used Truvada frequently as part of your HIV treatment plan, you should seek medical attention immediately. Treatment for these life-threatening conditions is a must in order to preserve your health.

Groups Harmed By Truvada

When HIV goes untreated, it may progress to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). In this stage, the body’s immune system is very weak and cannot fight off any “opportunistic infections” thereafter.

The life expectancy after an AIDS diagnosis is typically three years without any antiretroviral treatment. After being diagnosed with HIV, it is important to seek help to avoid this fatal progression.

At one point, up to 80 percent of all HIV-diagnosed persons in the United States who had begun antiretroviral therapy (ART) had been prescribed HIV medications manufactured by Gilead, including TDF-based Truvada.

In the U.S., there are statistical trends for groups who acquire HIV at higher rates. Individuals in the LGBT population and racial minorities are, unfortunately, often at greater risk of HIV infection.

According to AIDSvu.org, in the City of Denver:

• In 2017, there were 10,180 individuals living with HIV in the city.
• 1 percent of those individuals living with HIV were of White race/ethnicity.
• 4 percent of individuals living in Denver were of Hispanic/ Latinx background.
• 3 percent of people living with HIV were of Black race/ethnicity.
• 6 percent of people living with HIV in Denver in 2017 were male.
• Females accounted for 11.4 percent of people living with HIV in 2017.
• There were 318 new HIV diagnoses in 2017.
• There were 42 HIV-related deaths.
• Males-to-male sexual contact accounted for 73.6 percent of male transmission.
• 3 percent of females contracted HIV through heterosexual contact.
• Males, and specifically men who have sex with men (MSM), tend to face the highest risk of developing HIV.

Legal Action Taken Against Gilead

Victims of the drug’s dangerous side effects claim that Gilead Sciences, Inc., had already developed a safer alternative drug years ago, yet kept this secret from the public until the patent on the profitable Truvada was set to expire.

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation, an L.A.-based non-profit organization, is the name behind a class action lawsuit in California. The goal is to hold the negligent company accountable for the medical expenses and other financial losses Gilead caused to Californian users.

Claims Allege Failure To Warn

Drug manufacturers have a legal and ethical duty to be transparent about the ingredients within the drug and side effects of using their product, while also providing adequate instructions on how to use the medication in order to reduce the likelihood of health complications arising.

Having full disclosure of the ingredients and use of the drug can allow physicians to make a better judgment on who to prescribe the drug to. Patients can also benefit by knowing what other medications they should avoid mixing or if an alternative treatment is better suited for them.

To the detriment of users, some manufacturers, such as Gilead Sciences, have chosen to be much more discreet about the side effects of their products in order to not scare away consumers – which could affect their profit. Instead, these malicious organization claim that their products are entirely safe, therefore endangering the lives of users.

Gilead Sciences Withheld Safer Treatment

At the time of the release of Truvada, TDF was a highly recognized HIV treatment. The company is said to have capitalized on the momentum of the drug’s popularity and overcharged patients for their version of its proprietary combination treatment.

Recently, it has been revealed that Gilead Sciences had been developing a drug based on the component, tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), since as early as 2001. Research revealed that TAF was as effective in treating HIV as TDF, and could be taken in much lower doses.

Instead of informing the public about TAF, the company took to discontinue their research on the drug in 2004 as Truvada was being released.

Years later, as the patent on Truvada was set to expire, coincidentally, Gilead brought forth research on TAF and shared it with the public to advertise the drug as a revolutionary drug treatment which was much more effective than Truvada. This included highlighting TAF’s efficacy and safety.

The hidden agenda of the drug manufacturer ultimately endangered the lives of thousands of patients, exposing them to the risk of serious bone and kidney issues.

What Damages Can Truvada Victims Recover?

Through a defective drug lawsuit, a victim of Truvada can seek to recover compensation for the financial losses caused by their physical injuries. Drug manufacturers are liable for any injuries their negligence has inflicted on patients.

Victims have the right to take legal action against Gilead Sciences and pursue the following damages:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Loss of work income (past and future)
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish/ emotional distress
• Loss of consortium for intimate relationships
• Wrongful death

If you have experienced bone demineralization or kidney failure after taking Truvada, compensation may be awaiting you.

Denver Truvada Lawsuit Attorneys Ready to Fight for You

Individuals with HIV already face serious health issues associated with their condition and are taking Truvada with the hope of avoiding any further causes of concern. Sadly, this isn’t always the case.

Gilead Sciences has had a duty to be honest and upfront about the risks associated with its product and yet has utterly failed in their attempt to do so. The company has even gone one step further by refraining from sharing a safer drug, if only for the sake of profit.

The results have caused users to suffer serious bone and kidney complications. But there is hope. You are not alone in your battle against Gilead Sciences. Depend on the Truvada lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm to defend your rights.

Contact the justice-seeking Denver Truvada lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm at (314) 310-7924 right now for a FREE, zero-obligation legal consultation.