Seattle Truvada Lawsuit Attorney

Generally speaking, most people maintain faith that the pharmaceutical industry is working in the best interest, and in some instances that may be true. Since the early 2000s, people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have relied on Gilead Sciences Inc. for their innovative drug called Truvada.

The drug has moved mountains in terms of reducing the growth and spread of HIV within those affected by it, but recently, these same people taking this drug in good faith have begun to develop life-threatening bone and kidney conditions without any warning. Later, they would discover that Truvada was to blame, and that Gilead concealed the truth about it.

Now, many are coming forward with their horror stories caused by the hands of Gilead Sciences Inc., alleging that the company concealed detrimental side effects stemming from Truvada usage while withholding a safer alternative that was just as effective at reducing HIV.

If you or a loved one has taken Truvada over a long period of time and suffered bone or kidney-related injuries, you may be eligible for full compensation for your injuries. Contact the Seattle Truvada lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm at (314) 310-7924 to schedule your FREE, no-obligation legal consultation today.

What Is Truvada?

Truvada was created by Gilead Sciences Inc. to stop the growth of HIV-infected cells in people living with the virus. The drug is crafted with a combination of active ingredients like tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), emtricitabine (FTC) and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), all of which pull their weight to reduce the activity of an enzyme—called reverse transcriptase—within the human body that aids in HIV-infected cell replication.

Throughout the U.S., many Medicaid programs help cover the expensive costs—sometimes as much as $2,000 per month for those without insurance—for Truvada prescriptions in order to make it more accessible to those who truly need it.

For the most part, these programs have had some degree of success, decreasing the amount of new HIV diagnoses significantly, and more Americans living with HIV are referred to using medications such as Truvada to help them control the virus.

Unbeknownst to these individuals, however, is a nefarious secret kept close to Gilead’s vest. That is, until recently when word about the company knowing about the side effects their drugs can cause was made known, and Gilead still sold them anyway to maintain large profits.

The Research Behind Truvada

Recent studies show that the TDF within Truvada is linked to the development of debilitating side effects related to bone and kidney complications. Tenofovir DF increases the risk of individuals living with HIV to suffer from bone demineralization, a condition that drains bones of calcium and other important minerals used to strengthen it. In time, this could lead to osteoporosis, leaving users more susceptible to bone fractures.

Since excessive amounts of TDF is required to reduce activity in reverse transcriptase, it is left to the kidneys of the user to filter it out. Studies have shown that TDF can also cause an overproduction of serum creatinine, which is a strong indicator of the first signs of renal diseases and failure.

It is important to note, however, that Truvada isn’t the only TDF-based medication manufactured by Gilead. Other medications that also have had lawsuits filed involving the damage the cause to kidneys and bone are:

Atripla
Complera
Stribild
Viread

If you or a loved one who is living with HIV has suffered painful bone and kidney complications due to prolonged use of any of the medications above, the Seattle Truvada lawsuit lawyers of Onder Law Firm will fight tooth and nails for your right to seek compensation.

Common Symptoms and Side Effects Caused By Prolonged Truvada Use

Since Truvada and its other TDF-based medications can cause complications within a frequent user’s kidneys and bone, those that are living with HIV, are taking Truvada, and have preexisting bone and kidney conditions are most at risk. Consult with your primary care provider for a full understanding of these risks associated with Truvada usage.

Keep an eye on any of the following bone complications and their symptoms:

Bone fractures
Bone demineralization
Osteopenia
Osteoporosis

Symptoms include:

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

By the same token, you will want to remain vigilant for any kidney complications and symptoms should they arise:

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

Symptoms include:

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

Experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms and side effects while taking Truvada to control HIV should warrant a trip to the hospital immediately. Records taken there can help document what you suffer from, what you were treated with, and how much it cost, all relevant questions that can help your claim.

Recent Litigation Against the Pharmaceutical Titan

Not long ago, two men from California came forward to the civil court with their stories on how Gilead concealed information regarding the side effects from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in order to get the green light to start marketing their harmful TDF-based drugs.

Not only would the company conceal information from the FDA, they would also lie to the American people regarding these side effects in order to secure their patent on their TDF products. Not to be outdone by themselves, Gilead also shelved a safer alternative called tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) that was in development alongside TDF in 2001. This move secured $11 billion in Truvada sales annually.

As a result, these two gentlemen also filed a class action lawsuit against Gilead in an effort to recruit more that have fallen victim to their deceitful business practices. Staying true to form, Gilead has done what it can to try and have these claims dismissed.

While a class action lawsuit sends a resounding message of discontent to pharmaceutical companies in an effort to correct themselves of this kind of behavior, it does very little in getting you the full compensation you deserve.

Get every penny owed to you. File your product liability claim with the experienced Seattle Truvada lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm today by contacting us at (314) 310-7924.

How Onder Law Firm Can Better Serve You

In an effort to take back control of their lives from a virus that nearly took everything from them, people living with HIV now must face health complications for seeking treatment through no fault of their own.

The compassionate Seattle Truvada lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm hear their cries and welcome them to their law offices with open arms. There, we can help them fight for a fair settlement so long as the evidence brought forth proves that Gilead Sciences Inc. breached one of the following elements of product liability law:

Defective Design
Defective Manufacturing
Failure to Warn of Defect

Pursuing litigation with the help of our experienced product liability lawyers is the best option to take in order to get your fair and full compensation needed to aid in your proper recovery. As defective products tend to cause grievous injuries, victims to incur many different expenses. Our law firm can help them fight for redresses to cover the following:

Medical Bills (past, present, and future)
Pain and Suffering
Lost Wages (past, present, and future)
Loss of Earning Capacity
Loss of Quality of Life
Loss of Consortium
Emotional Damages
Wrongful Death Damages

Schedule your FREE legal consultation and learn more about your rights. Contact the Seattle Truvada Lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm at (314) 310-7924 now.

Overview of Seattle HIV Facts and Statistics

Some of the most affected people that suffer from bone and kidney complications from Truvada usage are the same people that live with the complications caused by HIV. On the other hand, people in high risk circumstances of contracting the virus take Truvada to prevent the spread are seldomly affected.

Therefore, it is important to identify the demographics most affected by HIV in order to spread caution about prolonged Truvada use and the complications it can cause.

Throughout the Seattle metropolitan area, around 8,616 individuals are living with HIV as of 2017. Of this demographic:

4 percent are African American.
8 percent are Hispanic/Latinx.
7 percent are Caucasian.
4 percent identify as male.
6 percent identify as female.

There were 291 new HIV diagnoses that same year, mostly Caucasian men. In fact, common forms of transmission in men include:

7 percent Male-to-Male Sexual Contact.
3 percent Male-to-Male Sexual Contact and Injection Drug Use.
7 percent Heterosexual Contact.
5 percent Injection Drug Use.

In women:

0 “Other” (e.g. non-reported or identified risk factors, blood transfusions, hemophilia, perinatal exposure, etc.)
2 percent Heterosexual Contact
8 percent Injection Drug Use

Sadly, around 73 lives were lost due to HIV complications in 2017. People living with HIV are among the strongest people that fight for their lives daily, only to be taken advantage of by Gilead Sciences Inc. and their ever-increasing need to put profits over people.

Hire a Seattle Truvada lawsuit attorney you can trust. Our experienced product liability attorneys have the skill and legal knowledge you need to win the restitution you need to recover. Call Onder Law Firm now at (314) 310-7924 to get started on your case.