Hartford Truvada Lawyers

Gilead Sciences’ antiretroviral medication, Truvada, was first approved by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in August of 2004. The drug is composed of several different components including two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs): emtricitabine (FTC) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF).

Since its appearance on the market, Truvada has become one of the most widely prescribed antiretroviral medications and has brought Gilead Sciences billions of dollars in sales.

But the drug – and Gilead Sciences itself – has come under heavy legal scrutiny. Users of the product are now filing lawsuits against the pharmaceutical giant for bone loss density and kidney-related damages.

If you or a loved one have taken Truvada and have suffered serious injuries as a result, consult the Hartford Truvada lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm right now. Contact our dependable lawyers right now at (314) 310-7924 to schedule a FREE case consultation.

About Truvada

Truvada is a once-daily pill taken in combination with other antiretroviral medications to help HIV-positive individuals manage their condition. The drug works primarily through the functioning of the two NRTIs, FTC and TDF.

These two components work by interfering with the activity of an enzyme known as reverse transcriptase. This particular enzyme assists in the formation of RNA from DNA in a process known as transcription. In cells affected by HIV, it allows the virus to replicate itself and further spread throughout the infected individual.

The two components essentially stop this replication process and thus minimizes the HIV viral load within the user. Although these two drugs in Truvada are effective, clinical research has shown that the TDF component can be highly toxic when taken in excess.

And this is where the issue begins.

The Truvada formula requires substantial amounts of TDF to effectively combat the virus. TDF’s high potency can lead to bone loss and kidney damage. One study, in particular, conducted by teams of researchers at the San Francisco VA Medical Center and the University of California San Francisco, found that individuals exposed to TDF saw a 33 percent risk increase each year for kidney damage.

Additionally, another study found that bone loss risk was lower after treatment with an alternative component known as tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) when compared to TDF.

Perhaps even more frustrating for users of Truvada is that Gilead Sciences had already developed a TAF-based HIV drug alongside its TDF-based Truvada in the early 2000s. This means the company had a safer alternative for years but simply withheld delivering it to consumers simply for the sake of growing its hold on the market and increasing company profits.

It should also be noted that Gilead Sciences has developed other TDF-based antiretroviral drugs which have also come under scrutiny, including:

Atripla
Complera
Stribild
Viread

If you live in Hartford and were prescribed Truvada to help you manage your condition but have since begun to suffer from bone and/or kidney damages, do not hesitate to contact the Truvada lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm for a FREE case consultation. We will give a voice to your suffering and work diligently to ensure you are compensated for the damages you have suffered.

About Truvada & Bone Loss Density

Individuals living with HIV already face low bone mineral density (BMD) and, unfortunately, the initiation of antiretroviral therapy can further decrease BMD by anywhere between 2 to 6 percent. Studies have also shown that the HIV-infected population also faces increased fracture rates.

While it can be a challenge to detect bone mineral density loss in its early stages, there are certain symptoms which may suggest that you need to seek medical attention immediately, including:

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

When bone demineralization becomes significant, then Truvada users may begin to deal with other serious bone-related health issues including:

Discomfort and pain in arms and legs
Osteopenia
Osteoporosis
Increased risks of fractures or breaks after minor incidents
Dental health complications (loss of teeth)
Other orthopedic complications

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

About Truvada & Kidney Damage

Bone loss is not the only health issue users of Truvada could potentially face. Another major cause for concern in kidney damage caused by the hefty amounts of TDF found in the drug. Over time, kidneys may be limited in their capacity to function properly and a host of problems can emerge, including:

Declining kidney function
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Acute kidney injuries
Acute renal failure
Fanconi’s Syndrome
Tubular dysfunction
High creatinine levels
Other nephritic complications
Death by renal failure

Signs and symptoms that you may be suffering from kidney damage caused by Truvada 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
Nosebleeds
Abdominal pain
Back pain
Fever

When kidney function lowers to 15-10 percent capacity, individuals face a greatly increased risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke. At this point, individuals will generally have to undergo dialysis and may even need an organ transplant to prevent death.

It should also be noted that kidney damage can lead to further bone loss. Because the kidneys are no longer able to function properly and deliver much-needed bone-building materials into the blood, then bones may suffer even more.

Please speak with your physician if you believe you are suffering from bone loss or kidney damage. Then contact the Hartford Truvada lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm at (314) 310-7924 for a FREE case evaluation.

Hartford HIV Statistics

As per AIDSvu.org:

There were approximately 2,983 people living with HIV in Hartford as per 2017 estimates.
Based on race/ethnicity:
- 7 percent of individuals living with HIV in Hartford MSA were Hispanic/Latinx
- 3 percent of individuals living with HIV in Hartford MSA were Black.
- 9 percent of individuals living with HIV in Hartford MSA were White.
Males accounted for 66. 6 percent of all individuals living with HIV.
Females accounted for 33.4 percent of all individuals living with HIV.
In 2017, there were 100 new diagnoses of HIV.
Of new diagnoses between 2013 to 2017:
- 6 percent were male.
- 4 percent were female.
- 1 percent were Black.
- 6 percent were Hispanic/Latinx.
- 3 percent were White.
In terms of transmission categories:
- 3 percent of males acquired HIV through male-to-male sexual contact.
- 6 percent of cases were acquired through heterosexual contact.
- 2 percent of cases occurred through injection drug use.
- 71 percent of females acquired HIV through heterosexual contact.
- 5 percent of females acquired HIV through injection drug use.
60 individuals lost their lives to HIV in 2017.

A History of Litigation and FDA Warnings

Gilead Sciences Inc. is no stranger to lawsuits and has faced numerous FDA warning over the last 30 years of operations. Some of the most significant findings against Gilead Sciences include:

2002: Gilead Sciences was warned by the FDA about making false claims about one of its antiretroviral drugs. The company was claiming that its product was non-toxic while clinical studies had already shown that users could face increased risks of kidney damage.
2003: The FDA once again warned Gilead Sciences about falsely marketing its products as being completely safe. Additionally, the company was reprimanded for marketing a drug for uses it had not received approval for.
2014: Gilead Sciences continued to falsely claim that Truvada was completely safe for users. The FDA forced the company to remove online material that boasted of this “safety.”
2017: A lawsuit was brought up against Gilead Sciences by two former employees who provided information that the company had been illegally sourcing ingredients from an unapproved vendor in China.
2019: Gilead Sciences was hit with a lawsuit in which it was accused of essentially bribing doctors, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers in order to increase prescription and sales of its HIV and hepatitis medications.
May 2019: In one of the latest lawsuits against the pharmaceutical company, claims have been made that Gilead Sciences worked in coordination with Bristol-Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, and other HIV drugmakers to create artificially high prices.

What Compensation Can I Recover From a Truvada Claim?

The physical, emotional, and financial damages associated with Truvada use are very real and can cause tremendous issues in the lives of those injured by the drug. 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.

Our attorneys, working in unison with a supporting team of researchers, medical professionals, and other legal professionals, will thoroughly review your claim in order to obtain full compensation for the injuries you have suffered.

Depending on the injuries you have suffered, our Hartford Truvada lawsuit attorneys will fight to obtain damage 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 (if applicable)
Punitive damages (if applicable)

If you live in Hartford, have taken Truvada to manage your HIV-1 condition, and have begun to suffer from bone loss and/or kidney-related health issues, do NOT hesitate to contact our attorneys immediately. Justice is just a phone call away.

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