Truvada Lawsuit Attorneys in Houston

The introduction of antiretroviral treatment drugs into the market has allowed individuals who are HIV-positive to once again regain some semblance of control over their health and well-being.

Gilead Sciences Inc. is one company that manufactures various antiretroviral treatment drugs, including Truvada. This product is meant to inhibit the spread of the virus in individuals who are already infected.

Unfortunately, a key ingredient in the drug has led to some Truvada users suffering grave health complications that include kidney damage and bone demineralization. Individuals who have taken Truvada as part of their health regimen and who have begun to suffer health issues as a result of using this treatment should seek legal consultation to better understand their legal options.

If you or a loved one had been affected by the dangerous side effects of Truvada, contact the Houston Truvada lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm today at (314) 310-7924 for a FREE, no-obligation consultation.

How Do Antiretroviral Drugs Work?

Some individuals who have contracted HIV use antiretroviral drugs such as Truvada to protect their own health (and potentially the health of others). When used regularly, antiretroviral treatment drugs (ARVs) can reduce the amount of detectable HIV in the blood.

Truvada is a combination of two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) called emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). These components help to stop the processes of the particular enzyme which aid in the replication of HIV-infected cells. However, the TDF component must be taken in excessive amounts to effective. It is this particular component which is drawing concern.

In 2004, the Food and Drug Administration approved Truvada as a for of HIV treatment when used in combination with other drugs. By 2012, Truvada PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) was approved as a preventative measure.

In order to reach maximum efficiency, Truvada should be taken routinely and in combination with safer sex practice.

What Is Going on with Truvada?

While Truvada first appeared to be a miracle drug of sorts, its true effects have begun to emerge – and users are facing serious lifelong health consequences.

Patients should beware of common side effects and adverse health conditions that have been linked to Truvada. Health complications that Truvada users have experienced include severe kidney damage and bone demineralization (bone loss).

Gilead Sciences Inc. has issued warnings about common side effects which users can experience when taking the drug, including:

Abdominal pain
Dizziness
Diarrhea
Depression
Fatigue
Headache
Liver problems
Nausea
Rash

While these symptoms should be closely monitored, there are some additional health issues that have come to light which are a major cause for concern for users of Truvada. The following serious adverse effects have been noted in individuals taking Truvada:

Kidney Injuries

Abnormal protein levels
Acute kidney injury
Chronic kidney disease
Fanconi’s syndrome
Excess creatine levels
Low kidney function
Tubular dysfunction
Renal failure

Symptoms of kidney issues can include:

Anemia
Bruising
Changes in skin color
Confusion
Difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Inability to urinate
Muscle cramps
Nausea
Swelling
Vomiting
Weakness

Bone Injuries

Bone fractures
Bone demineralization
Osteopenia
Osteoporosis

Symptoms of bone issues can include:

Bone fractures
Bone density loss
Bone mineral loss
Extreme discomfort
Muscle pain
Worsening bone pain

Those who begin to experience such symptoms should consult their physician immediately to determine whether they should discontinue the use of the pill. Please speak with your doctor before STOPPING Truvada use.

Individuals that have already suffered serious health complications linked to Truvada should take immediate legal action and pursue compensation from Gilead Sciences Inc. for their losses.

The Houston Truvada lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm want to help give your pain a voice. Contact us at (314) 310-7924 for your FREE case review today and to get on the path to financial recovery.

Important HIV Statistics in Houston

It is important to note the individuals who could be most affected by Truvada use. This includes the various demographic groups who are at a greater risk of contracting HIV.

Of all people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in the U.S., 44 percent of them live in southern states. The southern states also have the highest death rates in HIV diagnosed persons.

In Houston, Texas, the number of individuals who have been diagnosed with HIV exceeds 27,000. In 2017, there were 1,133 new cases of HIV. 416 HIV diagnosed individuals passed away that same year.

Statistics related to the racial demographics of individuals most affected by HIV in Harris County are as follows:

7 percent of people living with HIV in 2017 were Black.
5 percent of people living with HIV in 2017 were Hispanic.
8 percent of people living with HIV in 2017 were White.

This trend of Black and Hispanic groups being most affected by HIV in Houston aligns with national trends.

Other statistical groups which are adversely affected by HIV include:

In 2017, 1 out of 12 MSM (men who have sex with men) were diagnosed with HIV infection.
That rate of diagnosis amongst gay and bisexual men is proportionately 28 times the state average.
Black MSM are the most HIV affected group in Texas.
19 percent of all Black MSM have been diagnosed with HIV.
Black women make up more than 57 percent of all women diagnosed with HIV in Texas.
In the state, 1 in 159 black women are living with HIV.
The rate of HIV diagnoses in black women is 7.8 times higher than Hispanic women and 13.8 percent higher than White women in Texas.

If you or a loved one lived in the Houston area, have taken Truvada to treat your condition, and have suffered bone loss or kidney damage, do NOT hesitate to contact Onder Law Firm right now at (314) 310-7924 for your FREE case review.

Gilead Company Puts Profits Over Patients

Last year, Gilead Sciences Inc. made $3 billion off of their HIV treatment and prevention drug, Truvada. The company has received criticism over the pricing of their product, as it can cost a person as much as $2,000 per month.

For this unfair pricing, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation did raise legal concerns, but did not succeed in their claim against the company.

Aside from their medications being so expensive, the manufacturer has been reprimanded for misrepresentation of the efficacy of Truvada and failing to notify users of the risks associated with Truvada’s key ingredient, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). Truvada patients who have suffered health complications after using the treatment have come forward with lawsuits against the Gilead company.

Such lawsuits are based on allegations that Gilead withheld knowledge of a safer alternative to TDF called tenofovir alafenamide (TAF). There is said to be clinical trials for TAF as early as 2002, yet the drug was not released to the public until 2015 when the patent for TDF was set to expire.

Patients who were already vulnerable to serious and life-threatening HIV infection were unknowingly diminishing their health when they thought they were protecting it. Truvada users have suffered bone injuries and kidney damage due to excess tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in the body.

50 Truvada patients gathered to file a class-action lawsuit against Gilead before the California civil court over claims that the company profited off of sales of a dangerous product while withholding a safer and more effective treatment.

The company denied allegations that they could provide a safer alternative to consumers sooner than they did and motioned to dismiss the plaintiffs’ claims as per preemption of the law. U.S. District Judge Tigar was quick to disregard this motion, as no federal laws could protect Gilead’s efforts to withhold knowledge of a safer drug that had been developed.

The judge noted that the pharmaceutical company had enough time and the capacity to get the drug reviewed and approved by the Food and Drug Administration so that the dangerous drug could be replaced long before 2015.

Personal injury action lawsuits have been filed under similar reasons by two California residents as well. Plaintiff Michael Lujano claims that he entrusted the company with his health and yet the giant pharmaceutical company acted negligently in failing to provide truthful information surrounding the dangers of their product.

Filing Your Personal Injury Lawsuit with Trusted Houston Truvada Attorneys

Both class action lawsuits and personal injury lawsuits are being filed against Gilead Sciences Inc.

For personalized attention and a dedicated team of dependable attorneys, contact Onder Law Firm right now. We will work diligently to effectively pursue your defective drug claim against Gilead Sciences and help you to secure full financial recovery for the damages you have suffered.

Personal injury Truvada lawsuits are conducted under the basis of product liability including the following:

Strict Products Liability
Negligent Products Liability
Breach of Implied Warranty
Breach of Expressed Warranty

Patients who have been affected by Truvada can file a lawsuit to recover compensation for but not limited to:

Medical bills
Lost wages (past and future)
Loss of earnings
Pain and suffering

If you have suffered bone loss or kidney damages as a result of taking Truvada, allow Onder Law Firm to help you hold Gilead accountable.

Contact the Houston Truvada lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm right now at (314) 310-7924 for a FREE legal consultation. We will not rest until you get the justice and peace you deserve.