Dozens of patients across the United States have taken legal action after sustaining bone and kidney injuries from taking the antiretroviral (AR) medication, Truvada. The drug’s active ingredient, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), has been known to cause kidney failure, bone loss, and lactic acidosis. These health conditions are severe and often life-threatening.
You deserve to recover compensation if you were injured after taking Truvada or other TDF medications.
The legal team at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers is ready to help you and your loved ones navigate the complex and technical needs required to successfully litigate a product liability claim.
If you suspect that Truvada played a role in your diagnosis and future outlook, contact a Truvada/tenofovir lawsuit lawyer for more information.
You have legal options when it comes to receiving compensation for your Truvada injuries. We will work to ensure that you understand the legal proceedings in front of you while providing legal counsel every step of the way.
You are truly not alone in your fight when you hire a Truvada/tenofovir lawsuit lawyer at our firm.
Individuals, who were injured after taking Truvada, have the option of filing a compensation claim under the class-action proceedings, or they can approach it by submitting a separate civil suit through the Florida civil court system.
Either choice carries legal implications and deadlines that affect your ability to receive compensation. Therefore, it is imperative that you speak with the legal team at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers as soon as possible to avoid missing critical details and deadlines.
If you believe TDF medications were responsible for your bone or kidney injuries, speaking with a Truvada/tenofovir lawsuit lawyer will offer you critical insight as to how to approach your claim for consultation. Contact Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers for a free, no-obligation consultation today by calling (855) 529-0269.
What Is Truvada?
Truvada is a prescription medication that is used to prevent HIV and AIDS. Since 2018, dozens of injured parties have taken legal action against Gilead Sciences, Inc. These plaintiffs allege that the biopharmaceutical company knew about the drug’s inherent health risks, including bone and kidney damage, and failed to educate patients properly.
Gilead Sciences is the named defendant in several personal injury lawsuits being filed by patients in the US. Truvada has been available to the public since 2004 and earned Gilead Sciences an estimated $3 billion in 2018.
Truvada has been clinically proven to be effective in preventing the cellular synthesis of HIV and AIDS by blocking the reverse transcriptase (RT) enzyme. The drug’s active ingredient, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), has been shown to cause bone and kidney damage for patients who take it long-term.
In 2012, Truvada was approved for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use by the FDA. While Gilead Sciences does not claim it is 100 percent effective, TDF drugs significantly lower a non-HIV positive person’s risk of contracting the disease. There have been several brands and formulations of TDF drugs aside from Truvada, including Viread, Atripla, Complera, and Stribild. They are all manufactured by Gilead Sciences.
Truvada and TDF drugs are often prescribed to individuals with a positive HIV or AIDS diagnosis. However, there are others who can benefit from its use, including non-positive sexual partners, drug users who share needles, and people who engage in high-risk sexual activity.
It is the only FDA-approved drug that can prevent the synthesis of HIV and AIDS. After the release of a 2009 study, patients began to connect the dots between their health conditions and Truvada. Since then, several parties who suffered injuries due to Truvada have filed legal actions.
Patients whose health was affected by Truvada and other TDF drugs can take legal action against Gilead Sciences. We recommend you speak with an attorney to determine your options.
What Are Other TDF Drugs?
Truvada is the most widely-used version of a class of antiretroviral (AR) drugs containing the active ingredient, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) manufactured by Gilead Sciences, Inc. The FDA approved it in 2004 to manage and prevent the synthesis of HIV and AIDS cells.
Truvada was the second generation of TDF drugs manufactured by Gilead Sciences. It was also the first drug to be approved for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use.
A certified class-action lawsuit stems from two patients in California who filed a petition in 2018 after sustaining bone and kidney damage related to the use of the prescription drug. The lawsuit further alleges that Gilead Sciences knew of its dangers and failed to educate patients adequately of its side effects.
The most significant injuries sustained by patients, who took Truvada, include bone loss, kidney damage, and lactic acidosis. Aside from Truvada, Gilead Sciences developed other TDF drugs before and after its 2004 release. Individuals harmed after taking other TDF drugs have legal options available and should address their questions with a Florida personal injury lawyer.
While Truvada was the most widely-sold version, there are other TDF medications that may have contributed to their losses, including:
- Viread: Viread was FDA-approved in 2001 and is the first generation of TDF medications used to prevent the synthesis of HIV and AIDS cells.
- Atripla: Atripla was FDA-approved in 2006 and is the third generation of TDF drugs. This iteration added the active ingredient efavirenz.
- Complera: Complera was FDA-approved in 2011 and is the fourth generation of TDF drugs. This version of the drug is a combination of the active ingredients, emtricitabine, rilpivirine, and tenofovir.
- Stribild: Stribild was FDA-approved in 2012 and was the fifth and final generation of TDF drugs manufactured by Gilead Sciences. This version of the medication is comprised of the active ingredients, cobicistat, elvitegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir.
Individuals harmed after taking Truvada and other TDF drugs are eligible to pursue legal compensation claims against Gilead Sciences. Patients can seek restitution through the current class-action lawsuit in California or by filing personal injury and product liability claims in Florida.
Both choices carry significant legal implications that should be discussed with a personal injury lawyer in Florida for more information. He or she can offer you legal counsel throughout the process and advise you as to the best course of action available.
What is the Difference Between TDF and TAF HIV drugs?
Truvada is a prescription drug used to stop the cellular synthesis of HIV and AIDS. Its active ingredient is tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). Gilead Sciences, Inc. manufactures Truvada, among other TDF drugs. Truvada was approved for prescription and sale in 2004.
Gilead Sciences has released several brands of antiretroviral drugs containing TDF. However, it developed a less toxic version known as tenofovir alafenamide (TAF). Understanding the difference between TDF and TAF HIV drugs is useful knowledge to individuals who sustained losses related to the use of Truvada.
TDFs were first released under the brand name Viread in 2001. Viread was approved to prevent the development of HIV, AIDS, and Hepatitis B and C. TDF prescription medications are classified as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). They work by blocking the enzyme, reverse transcriptase (RT), which is responsible for HIV cellular division.
Gilead Sciences, Inc. currently offers five brands of TDF drugs, including Viread, Truvada, Atripla, Complera, and Stribild. Health complications and side effects associated with long-term use of TDF drugs include severe bone and kidney problems, as well as lactic acidosis.
TAFs were first released under the brand name Genvoya in 2015 for the same health issues as TDFs. TAFs are also classified as an NRTI. The formula requires just a fraction of the tenofovir dose, which results in lower blood toxicity levels. According to a study published in Current Opinion in HIV and AIDS that discusses tenofovir and bone health, “TAF appears to be an improvement over TDF in terms of bone safety.”
Gilead Sciences, Inc. has developed additional formulations of TAF drugs since its inception under the brand names Genvoya, Odefsey, and Descovy. While common side effects occur with TAF, they are generally not considered to be significant or life-threatening.
Dozens of patients who took Truvada and sustained physical harm have joined under a class-action lawsuit in California against Gilead Sciences. Others have opted-out and are filing personal injury and product liability lawsuits against the maker in their state of residence. If you or a loved one experienced bone loss or kidney damage after taking Truvada, there are legal options available to pursue compensation for your losses. Consider discussing them with a personal injury lawyer for more information.
Truvada Lawsuit Against Gilead
A class-action lawsuit was filed in 2018 against Gilead Sciences, Inc. for their negligent role in the manufacturing and selling of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) drugs after knowing that the medication caused significant bone and kidney injuries to patients. The most widely-sold version of TDF drugs is Truvada.
Florida residents can obtain compensation for their injuries through the class-action proceedings. However, they can also opt-out of the California-based class action and pursue a remedy through the Florida civil court system.
If you or a loved sustained injuries from Truvada and other TDF drugs, you should discuss your case with a Florida personal injury lawyer to determine which option is right for you.
Gilead Sciences began developing TDF drugs in 2001 after manufacturing and selling its first-generation under the brand name, Viread. It was designed to prevent the development of the cells responsible for causing autoimmune disorders like HIV, AIDS, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
Truvada was the second iteration to receive FDA approval for this class of drugs in 2004. The biopharmaceutical company continued to create three more versions—Atripla, Complera, and Stribild—through 2012.
The class-action lawsuit against Gilead Sciences claims that the company knowingly and willfully understated the dangers of TDF drugs but continued to sell them for medical treatment anyway. Additional information has come to light after discovering that Gilead Sciences had developed a safer alternative using the active ingredient, tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), but chose to put people before profit by waiting until its existing TDF patents ran out.
The primary injuries that Truvada and other TDF drugs have caused include kidney failure, chronic kidney disease, osteopenia, osteoporosis, and lactic acidosis. These conditions are severe and are life-threatening when left untreated.
There have been several medical studies and journal publications that indicate that TDF medications, like Truvada, can cause kidney damage and bone loss. If you are concerned about your health after taking Truvada, you should visit with your primary care provider to confirm or rule out a suspected issue.
Affected individuals who reside in Florida have legal options available for filing a compensation claim. Whether you pursue it through the class-action lawsuit or the Florida civil court system, you will find it helpful to discuss the merits of your case with a Florida personal injury lawyer. He or she can provide legal insight and knowledge regarding your most viable option, under their counsel, when filing a claim.
What Are the Side Effects of Truvada?
The side effects of Truvada carry life-changing consequences for patients who took the tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) drug. While most side effects are not life-threatening, others can result in kidney problems, bone injuries, and lactic acidosis symptoms, which can impact a person for the rest of their lives or result in premature death.
Truvada’s manufacturer, Gilead Sciences, Inc., is at the center of a class-action lawsuit certified in California that has been ongoing since 2018. Injury victims are alleging that the company failed to warn them about the actual risk associated with its use.
There is compensation available for patients injured after taking Truvada. People who experienced health complications after taking the TDF drug should discuss their options with a Florida personal injury lawyer.
The side effects of Truvada range in severity. Common side effects include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach problems, pain, depression, and fatigue, among several others.
In addition to common side effects, people who took Truvada are also experiencing issues related to diminished kidney function. The most common kidney problems associated with the drug include acute renal failure, chronic kidney disease, renal tubular acidosis, and Fanconi syndrome.
Bone injuries are also observed in patients taking Truvada. The main bone injuries caused by Truvada typically include osteopenia and osteoporosis. These bone diseases often present in the form of unexplained broken bones and fractures. They can also be observed through x-ray imaging.
Lactic acidosis is a rare condition that occurs when the liver can no longer break down lactate enzymes. The result is an excess of lactic acid build up in the muscles. People often experience pain, nausea, bloating, and fatigue from lactic acidosis issues.
If you suspect that Truvada caused your health injuries, you should confirm your suspicions with a physician. He or she can manage your symptoms while providing a professional medical opinion as to what caused your health problems.
From a legal standpoint, there are opportunities available to Truvada injury patients who are seeking financial compensation related to their losses. Discussing your next steps with a Florida personal injury lawyer can assist you in understanding the best approach for your situation.
Time limits apply to filing a legal claim for restitution, which means that it is critical you discuss your case as soon as possible to avoid missing this critical deadline.
How Do I Know if I Have a Case Against Truvada?
The current litigation against Truvada’s manufacturers have been ongoing since 2018 and fall under the doctrine of a product liability claim. The lead plaintiff’s allegations claim that after taking Truvada and other tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) drugs, their injuries are a direct result of its use.
Patients who have a case that meets the criteria for a product liability claim can pursue compensation related to their injuries. However, the best way to know if you have a case against Truvada is by speaking directly with a Florida personal injury lawyer.
The elements of a product liability claim seek to prove that Gilead Sciences produced a product that was unsafe for human consumption. In general, a product liability claim involves an injury directly sustained to its victim after they unknowingly used a defective product. These elements can qualify a civil court petition as product liability.
The plaintiffs filing Truvada lawsuits are further stating that Gilead Sciences knew about the dangers of TDF drugs and did not perform its due diligence in warning and educating patients and physicians. Even further, Gilead Sciences had developed a safer alternative, that was just as effective, and withheld the product in favor of profit as its TDF patents ran out.
The class-action lawsuit against Gilead Sciences falls under the doctrine of product liability after patients sustained injuries using Truvada and other iterations of the TDF formula. Commonly, they have been experiencing kidney injuries, bone damage, and lactic acidosis.
While many symptoms are treatable, others carry a lifelong impact on the patient and can even be life-threatening. Symptoms of these injuries may also not present themselves until their end stages, which makes diagnosing them a challenge for primary care physicians and other medical providers.
Discussing your kidney and musculoskeletal health is critical in understanding if you have a case against Truvada. They can perform the clinical lab testing and analysis that is required for proving your claims associated with an injury.
There is financial compensation available if you and your physician suspect that Truvada and other TDF medications directly caused your health problems. You may be eligible for receiving restitution for your losses related to medical expenses, missed work, mental anguish, and more.
Speaking with a Florida personal injury lawyer can offer insight and legal counsel regarding the merits of your case. Time limits exist in filing a claim for compensation. Therefore, it is critical that you talk to someone soon instead of later.
What Are the Main Symptoms of Kidney Failure?
Kidney failure is one of the long-term side effects of taking Truvada and other tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) drugs. The kidneys are responsible for removing toxins from the blood and keeping the body healthy and balanced.
The main symptoms of kidney failure are severe and life-changing. Some patients even require a transplant or routine dialysis to increase their odds of survival. The health consequences have been so severe and impactful that patients, who took Truvada, are now coming forward and suing its manufacturer for causing their kidney failure.
The kidneys are located on both sides of your spine near the lower back. After filtering out toxins from your body, it sends the waste to your bladder, which you expel through urination. Kidney failure occurs when they are no longer able to function in this capacity. Common causes of kidney failure include physical trauma, disease, dehydration, and exposure to some medications.
The plaintiffs, who filed the class-action lawsuit against Truvada’s manufacturer, Gilead Sciences, Inc., are alleging that the company caused their kidney failure and failed to warn patients about the associated health consequences.
There are five types of kidney failure, including:
- Acute prerenal kidney failure
- Acute intrinsic kidney failure
- Chronic prerenal kidney failure
- Chronic intrinsic kidney failure
- Chronic post-renal kidney failure
The main symptoms of kidney failure may or may not be present. There are several instances in which the individual experiences no symptoms at all and do not discover them until the end-stages of the disease. At that point, a kidney transplant or regular dialysis may be required for your survival. However, from a medical standpoint, the main symptoms of kidney failure include decreased urine production, swelling, fatigue, and pain, among others.
If you are concerned that your kidney health has been compromised after taking Truvada, you should talk to your doctor as soon as possible. He or she can determine if lifestyle or physical factors may have contributed to your condition.
Fair compensation is available for people who took Truvada and other TDF medications. While the class-action lawsuit in California unfolds, there are other opportunities available to Florida residents affected by kidney failure after taking Truvada.
You can discuss the opportunities available to you by speaking with a Florida personal injury lawyer for more information. He or she can guide you through the legal process and help you pursue a financial settlement or award for your kidney failure injuries.
How Can Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers Help Me win a Truvada Settlement?
The legal team at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers is prepared to help you pursue compensation claims related to your Truvada injuries. We will help you file a claim for your losses using experienced legal counsel and trusted advice every step of the way.
You are not alone when you hire a Florida personal injury lawyer from our firm. Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation by calling (855) 529-0269 today.
It is our mission to go the extra mile when it comes to providing competent legal counsel and representation to all our clients. Our partners, attorneys, and support staff will treat you and your loved ones like family during every interaction.
In addition to compassionate and empathetic legal care, you will come to rely upon the decades of experience our team has acquired from successfully litigating personal injury, product liability, and medical malpractice cases. Building upon our knowledge is only the start of several benefits of hiring a Florida personal injury lawyer from our firm.
Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers have the resources and professional contacts that guarantee your peace of mind in knowing that you are receiving comprehensive and trusted legal counsel and exercising every possible option available to you or your loved one.
Product liability cases, like the Truvada lawsuits, require you to have intimate knowledge of civil procedure, negotiation tactics, and legal experience. Your top priority should be your health. Let Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers worry about the details of your case.
Since we take claims on contingency, you will not have to fund the necessary depositions, mediations, and expert testimonies that support and prove your case upfront. We will handle every aspect for you.
There is compensation available to cover your losses. You can pursue legal compensation for your injuries related to current and future medical costs, lost wages and work benefits, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment, wrongful death, and punitive damages. You can be confident that Gilead Sciences’ attorneys will vigorously defend against your allegations in an effort to not pay up. We will fight against them.
There are other forms of redress available that Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers can help you better understand. Whether you file a class-action claim or pursue civil court action in Florida, there are time limits that exist in filing your claim. Therefore, you should contact our firm for more information so that you do not miss this critical deadline.
We extend an invitation for you or your loved one to contact Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers for a free, no-obligation consultation. Contact our legal team at (855) 529-0269 to request your today.
How Much Can I Win in My Lawsuit Against Truvada?
Estimating the value of a product liability lawsuit, like the one against Truvada’s manufacturers, is challenging. The financial awards given in a civil or class-action lawsuit are established and negotiated throughout the course of legal proceedings. Therefore, the amount that you file in your initial petition may be higher or lower than the amount you receive.
Individuals who are participating in the class-action lawsuit are also limited by the total award being spread across the entire affected population. It is for this reason that Truvada injury victims may file a separate civil suit in their residential state.
The most direct way to understand where and how you should file for legal restitution can be accomplished by discussing the elements of your case with a Florida personal injury lawyer.
The financial awards that people win in a lawsuit are known as damages to the legal community. There are several forms of damages available for your losses, and the merits of your case will determine what you can receive and how much.
Three forms of damages are available to Florida patients injured by tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) drugs. The first type is economic damages and relates to your actual, measurable financial expenses such as medical care, prescription drugs, or time missed at work. Florida only limits your economic damages to medical necessity, which the courts will determine during your lawsuit.
The second type is non-economic damages. They are challenging to predict since they are meant to compensate you for your emotional losses, including the stress of physical pain. Florida does not limit the amount of economic damages you can receive.
Finally, the third type is punitive damages. They are designed to punish offending parties, like Gilead Sciences, for their grossly negligent role in causing your injuries. It is entirely possible that punitive damages can be awarded in the Truvada lawsuits, although the occurrence is rare. Florida limits punitive damage caps to three times the amount of economic damages or $500,000, whichever number is higher.
At this point, no financial awards have been made in the Truvada lawsuits yet, since the class-action case is ongoing. Individuals who pursued compensation claims within their residential state have not publicly released their financial damages awards, if any. The best way to understand the options available to you can be accomplished by speaking with a Florida personal injury lawyer.
What Is the Average Truvada Lawsuit Settlement?
Since there are no currently settled Truvada lawsuits, there is no hard data that can tell injury victims what the average Truvada lawsuit settlement may be. There is now a pending class-action lawsuit in California stemming from 2018 after allegations that Truvada’s manufacturer, Gilead Sciences, Inc., failed to adequately warn patients about the higher risks of kidney and bone damage sustained after taking its various brands of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) line of drugs.
The most widely-used iteration of TDF medicines is Truvada, which was FDA-approved for sale and consumption in 2004.
Financial compensation is available for Truvada injury victims. The best way to determine a potential award or settlement amount is by speaking with a Florida personal injury lawyer. He or she can analyze the details of your claim and recognize the various elements by which you can file for compensation.
The financial awards given to prevailing plaintiffs are called damages. Damages are meant to provide legal redress for victims who experienced financial, physical, and emotional losses from their injuries. Whether it is a Truvada injury claim or not, pinpointing an exact figure for any personal injury or product liability case is difficult since it is a figure that can only be determined after a decision is rendered through negotiations or civil trials.
However, you can still gain insight into the compensation process by understanding the types of damages available in most product liability claims.
Economic damages relate to your actual medical expenses and other financial losses, including lost wages, physical therapy, and travel to your medical appointments. There are no caps on economic damages in the State of Florida.
Non-economic damages are more difficult to estimate since they relate to your subjective losses and include things like pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment, and loss of companionship, for cases where a spouse lost his or her husband or wife. There are no caps on non-economic damages in the State of Florida.
Punitive damages are reserved for cases that exhibit elements deemed to be grossly negligent. They are designed to punish the offending parties. There is a damage cap of three times your economic damages or $500,000, whichever is greater.
Patients who sustained injuries after taking Truvada should discuss the damages available for their specific situation with a Florida personal injury lawyer. He or she can determine a figure for which you can reasonably ask, as well as ensure that you file your claim within Florida’s statute of limitations specific to personal injury and product liability claims.
Is there Currently a Truvada Class-Action Lawsuit?
There is currently a Truvada class-action lawsuit filed by patients who sustained physical harm after taking the drug Truvada. The lawsuit was filed against its manufacturer Gilead Sciences, Inc. The lead plaintiffs and their attorneys allege that Gilead Sciences failed to adequately warn and educate patients related to the inherent health risks associated with Truvada’s active ingredient, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF).
The lawsuit received a class-action certification in 2018 after two patients from California filed a civil court petition. Florida residents have an opportunity to pursue compensation under the class-action if a judge or jury rules in favor of the plaintiffs. They can also opt-out and seek damages in Florida under personal injury and product liability claims. Determining which option is best for you should be discussed with a Florida personal injury lawyer for more insight.
The class-action lawsuit states that the TDF formulation of Truvada resulted in their sustaining severe health complications, including kidney and bone damage. Even more, their allegations are also supported by Gilead Sciences’ actions in developing and withholding a safer prescription alternative that was just as effective.
Early-stage clinical trials indicated that tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) was safer and less toxic than its TDF predecessor. After discovering this information, Gilead Sciences deliberately halted research due to their TDF patent still being in place. This tactic essentially gave the biopharmaceutical company additional time to profit from TDF sales since they still had six years remaining on the patent at the time.
Patients taking Truvada believe they did not understand the genuine risks associated with long-term health consequences associated with taking TDF drugs. If you or your loved one experienced health complications after taking Truvada, there are options available for financial compensation. While many patients will pursue a claim for compensation if California civil courts rule in their favor, others will pursue personal injury and product liability claims in their residential state.
Both options carry significant implications that can be discussed with a Florida personal injury lawyer. He or she can review the details of your case and recommend the most advantageous course of action.
What To Do Before You File a Truvada Lawsuit
It can be confusing in knowing what to do before you file a Truvada lawsuit, since there are several options available. A case of this nature is highly complex and medically technical, which means that preparing beforehand can help you understand what to anticipate as the process unfolds.
First, you should understand why a class-action lawsuit was filed in the first place. Two California plaintiffs filed a class-action suit against Truvada’s manufacturer, Gilead Sciences, Inc., in 2018. They allege that their kidney and bone damages are directly related to taking the drug that contained an unsafe ingredient, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF).
Studies have shown that this medication can cause kidney damage and bone loss. The lawsuit further states that Gilead Sciences knew of its significant health implications and failed to warn the public of its dangers. Their claims are underscored after the biopharmaceutical company had developed a safer alternative at least a decade earlier, yet chose to put profit before people.
It is for these reasons that the certified class-action case falls under the doctrine of product liability law.
Your second step in knowing what to do before you file a Truvada lawsuit is visiting with your primary care physician to confirm or rule out a diagnosis related to kidney and bone damage. He or she can initiate the treatment of your health condition while maintaining records that support your injury claims in court.
After receiving a diagnosis, you are likely going to receive numerous statements, invoices, and bills related to your care. It is essential that you retain these documents in a safe place so that you can track your expenses. You can also share them during your first meeting with a Florida personal injury lawyer for his or her edification.
After hiring an attorney, he or she can take over the file management aspect of your case, although clients generally keep a copy of everything for their records as well.
The final thing you should know about what to do before you file a Truvada lawsuit is that speaking with a Florida personal injury lawyer is tremendously helpful. He or she will help you understand your legal options, existing time limits, and a proposed strategy for pursuing compensation related to your injuries.
Florida residents have the opportunity to receive compensation from the California class-action lawsuit or through the Florida civil court system. Both carry significant implications, and your attorney will help you understand which option makes the most sense for your situation.
The Statute of Limitations for Truvada Lawsuits
Gilead Sciences, Inc., is a California based biopharmaceutical company that has been named the defendant in a class-action lawsuit after allegations of bone and kidney injury came to light through two patients. After the 2018 filing, hundreds of Truvada injury victims have come forward and stated that tenofovir disoproxil fumarate drugs (TDF), like Truvada, are directly responsible for their health issues.
Florida residents who sustained injuries after taking TDF medications should understand that civil statutes place time limits on their ability to file a claim for compensation. Therefore, it is critical to talk about your case with a Florida personal injury lawyer to confirm whether you are within the statute of limitations for Truvada lawsuits.
A statute of limitations is the timeline under which you can legally file a claim against a negligent party. While most Truvada lawsuits will fall under the product liability statute of limitations, others should also be aware of medical malpractice time limits in matters involving negligent care on behalf of their medical providers.
Both types of lawsuits, product liability and medical malpractice, carry different statutes of limitation.
For a product liability claim, Florida places a four-year deadline that starts from the day of your injury. Matters involving wrongful death are limited to two years. For medical malpractice claims, Florida sets a two-year statute of limitations that begins from the date of your injury.
If you suspect that you missed the statute of limitations in either case, there are still options available for pursuing legal compensation related to your Truvada injuries. Under the statute of repose, the State of Florida allows injured parties to file a claim even if the initial statute of limitations has passed. A Florida personal injury lawyer can help you determine if you are eligible to file a claim against Gilead Sciences.
Individuals, whose health was affected after taking Truvada, can file a claim for compensation through the pending class-action lawsuit in California. They can also choose to opt-out and seek independent legal redress through the Florida civil court system.
Injured parties can request monetary damages for their medical expenses, lost wages, wrongful death, and pain and suffering losses. While there are additional forms available, questions regarding their potential should be addressed with a Florida personal injury lawyer. He or she can work with you in determining how to best proceed in a manner that makes sense for your specific situation and where you fall under the statute of limitations for Truvada lawsuits.
The Main Kidney Injuries Caused by Truvada
Gilead Sciences, Inc. has been developing tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) drugs since 2001 after receiving FDA approval. There have been five reformulations sold by the company include Viread, Truvada, Atripla, Complera, and Stribild, designed to prevent the cellular synthesis of autoimmune diseases, including HIV, AIDS, influenza, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C diseases.
Two patients from California filed a class-action lawsuit in 2018 against Gilead Sciences after discovering that their kidney problems and injuries stemmed from taking Truvada and other TDF drugs. The lead plaintiffs further allege that the biopharmaceutical company understood the risks and failed to warn patients.
Their claims are underscored by Gilead Sciences’ development and withholding of a safer formulation of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) called tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) for additional profit as the time clock ran out on their TDF patents.
TDF drugs like Truvada, are pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), meaning they are taken by people at risk for HIV to lower their chance of getting HIV. These drugs have proven to be effective in preventing the transmission and development of HIV and AIDS cells, but their benefits did not come without causing significant harm to patients being treated with the medication. Studies have shown a direct connection between patients who took Truvada and sustained kidney injuries after its use.
The main kidney injuries caused by tenofovir drugs may include:
- Acute renal failure (ARF)
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
- Renal tubular acidosis (RTA)
- Fanconi syndrome
When left untreated, these health conditions can result in patients requiring a kidney transplant or regularly-scheduled dialysis treatments to remove toxins in the blood. If the health of your kidneys concerns you after taking Truvada, you should address your concerns with your primary care physician.
There are specific populations that are more susceptible to these conditions than others who took TDF medications. Anyone older than age 50, African-Americans, underweight individuals, and abnormal blood cell counts, who took Truvada and have health concerns, should direct them toward their doctor as soon as possible, as well. He or she will help you gain a sense of your overall health and test for the main kidney injuries caused by Truvada.
Individuals, who suspect that their kidney problems are related to taking TDF drugs, have legal remedies available for compensation regarding their losses. Discussing the opportunities available, with a Florida personal injury lawyer, can shed insight and apply legal counsel to your specific situation. Time limits exist when filing a claim. Therefore, it is critical that you act now to avoid missing the time horizon.
The Main Bone Injuries Caused by Truvada
After taking Truvada and other tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) drugs, patients have been experiencing bone problems since the drug’s inception in 2004. Research demonstrates a direct correlation between their symptoms and TDF drugs, like Truvada. Two patients in California filed a 2018 certified class-action lawsuit against its maker, Gilead Sciences, Inc., to pursue financial compensation related to their losses.
The main bone injuries caused by Truvada include osteopenia and osteoporosis. Even though tenofovir disoproxil fumarate drugs are effective at treating and preventing the cellular division of HIV and AIDS, taking them did not come without paying a significant price.
The lead plaintiffs who filed the class-action suit claim that Gilead Sciences, Inc. was aware of Truvada’s damaging effect on patients and negligently failed to warn them about its significance. People taking it as a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drug were even more vulnerable since it was the only FDA-approved treatment that protected non-positive patients from contracting the diseases of HIV or AIDS.
If you suspect that Truvada or other TDF drugs caused your bone injuries, you should discuss your options with a Florida personal injury lawyer.
The main bone injuries caused by Truvada include:
- Osteopenia: Osteopenia is often a precursor to osteoporosis. It is a condition that causes mild or moderate bone mineral loss. The most common symptom of osteopenia is frequent and unexplained bone fractures.
- Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is an advanced form of bone disease that causes a person’s bones to become porous and brittle. Like osteopenia, osteoporosis is challenging to detect and often presents in the form of frequent bone fractures.
Bone density loss is a regular occurrence for aging individuals, but Truvada and TDF medications accelerated this process in patients who already have the condition or are otherwise healthy. It is prudent to speak with your primary care physician as soon as possible if you have concerns related to your bone health after taking Truvada.
Financial compensation may be available for patients who have experienced bone injury and monetary losses after taking Truvada or other TDF medications. Time limits exist on your ability to file a claim, therefore you should speak with a personal injury lawyer if you suspect that you or a loved one sustained bone injuries after Truvada or other TDF medications. He or she will ensure that you understand the opportunities for legal restitution available.
What You Need to Know About the Truvada Lawsuit
Gilead Sciences Inc. has been manufacturing the drug Truvada since 2004. It has been formulating various iterations since 2001 containing the active ingredient tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). Patients with a positive diagnosis of HIV, AIDS, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and influenza use TDF drugs to treat and prevent cell division.
Stemming from allegations that TDF drugs cause bone and kidney damage, two California patients filed a class-action lawsuit against Gilead Sciences Inc. in 2018. Florida residents who sustained injuries after taking Truvada have several legal options available to them to pursue a compensation claim against the manufacturer.
The two California patients filed the class-action lawsuit as a product liability tort claim in the State of California. Lead plaintiffs and other similarly situated are accusing Gilead Sciences Inc. of understanding the health risks of taking TDF drugs without warning patients of its serious consequences. They also claim that it had developed a safer alternative in the form of tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) but chose not to release the new formula to drive profits while the timeclock on their TDF patents ran out. Gilead Sciences Inc. wholly owns TDF patents through 2021.
The known side effects and risks from taking Truvada are severe and may be life-changing. The primary injuries of taking Truvada are associated with diminished kidney function, bone loss, and lactic acidosis. These injuries can result in chronic pain, kidney transplants, and routine dialysis. Injuries of this degree place a significant impact on the lives of patients.
Patients injured after taking Truvada can pursue legal compensation for the losses related to their injuries. Estimating an exact number is difficult since each case is unique. However, injured parties can file a claim for their medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages that Truvada and other TDF drugs have caused. In rare cases, civil court judges and jurors may assess punitive damages against defendants who acted with extreme negligence and reckless disregard for human life.
Time limits exist on your ability to file a product liability claim. Therefore, it is prudent that you speak with a Florida personal injury lawyer to ensure that your claim has not eclipsed the existing legal deadlines regarding your ability to file a claim.
How Can the Truvada Lawsuit Help Me?
Filing a lawsuit against Truvada’s manufacturer, Gilead Sciences, Inc., not only helps you receive compensation related to your losses, but it can further strengthen and protect public policy. There are several benefits and opportunities available when filing a product liability lawsuit against Gilead Sciences, Inc. for your injuries. The only way you can be sure is by discussing the details of your case with a personal injury lawyer.
The first benefit of filing a Truvada lawsuit lies within your ability to receive compensation for losses that were created by your injuries. Florida residents can seek restitution for their medical care, lost wages, mental anguish, or loss of life for surviving family members. There are additional opportunities for compensation in a Truvada suit, which means you should discuss your options with a Florida personal injury lawyer before accepting a settlement or offer.
There is another, big-picture benefit of filing a Truvada lawsuit against Gilead Sciences, Inc. It sends a message to negligent corporations that it is not okay to put profit over people. You have a right to safety, and the Truvada ruling can help promote awareness, hold responsible parties accountable, and become a catalyst for change.
It can also alert government authorities that illegal activity may be occurring as well. Most recently, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services filed a patent infringement claim against Gilead Sciences, Inc. in November 2019.
The benefits of the Truvada lawsuits have come to light, even before a final ruling.
If you suspect that you may have a Truvada lawsuit claim, the first step is to confirm your bone or kidney damage diagnosis. You should also consult with your primary care provider to find out the associated cause of your illness. They can perform the necessary lab work and tests to render a prognosis, as well.
The second step in receiving compensation for your losses is by speaking with a personal injury lawyer. They will provide you with practical legal counsel and advice while advocating on your behalf in court and during negotiation discussions.
Every state places a statute of limitations—or a time limit—on your ability to file a claim. As a result of the time limit, it is critical to discuss the details of your case as soon as possible. Missing the deadline can affect your ability to pursue compensation.
Is Truvada Prescription Considered Malpractice?
Truvada prescription is not considered malpractice. For something to be considered malpractice, the doctor or another medical professional must have taken some action that did not uphold the standard of care (i.e., what another medical professional in the same situation with similar training would have done). Countless doctors and medical professionals have prescribed Truvada to help lower their patients’ risk of contracting HIV.
People injured by Truvada are not going after their doctors for their injuries and losses. The dozens of plaintiffs currently taking legal action for Truvada-related injuries have sued the manufacturer, Gilead Sciences, Inc.
The lawsuits allege the following:
- Gilead Sciences, Inc. knew about the defect in its product.
- Gilead Sciences, Inc. failed to take action to rectify the defect or warn consumers.
- Gilead Sciences, Inc. created a new, safer medication but failed to release it for years, and instead waited until a year before the patent expired to release the safer product. This put lives at risk while the company made billions of dollars.
However, as more information comes out about the dangers of taking tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) medications—and the efficacy and safety of taking tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) drugs—doctors could face medical malpractice lawsuits for failing to prescribe TAF over TDF.
Regardless of whether you are filing a product liability or medical malpractice claim, both fall under the arm of personal injury law. An actionable personal injury claim involves someone owing you a duty of care, breaching that duty, and causing financial losses resulting from the subsequent injuries.
While this is a simplified definition of the elements of a personal injury claim, it helps you better understand the aspects of product liability and malpractice claims.
The elements of a product liability claim assert that a manufacturer created, developed, marketed, and sold a product that was unsafe for human use or consumption. Product liability also seeks to prove that the item in question did not meet ordinary customer expectations. The lawsuits pending against Gilead Sciences, Inc. fit the criteria of a product liability lawsuit.
Medical malpractice is different in that it involves the negligence on behalf of a licensed health care provider. Truvada consumption could spill over into medical malpractice for individuals who were at a higher risk of bone and kidney damage. This statement is especially true if the doctor understood the risk of prescribing Truvada but prescribed the drug anyway.
How Much Can I Get for Pain and Suffering in a Truvada Lawsuit?
Since 2018, patients injured by the prescription drug Truvada have been filing lawsuits against its maker, Gilead Sciences, Inc. The chief injury complaints are related to liver and kidney damage. Not only are individuals seeking compensation related to their medical expenses, but they are also filing claims for the pain and suffering associated with such significant health complications.
Damages are the monetary sums that civil courts award to prevailing parties in personal injury cases. There are two forms of pain and suffering damages available to patients injured by Truvada. They are known as physical and mental pain and suffering.
Physical pain and suffering damages are reserved for the discomfort you have experienced as a result of your injuries, while also factoring the future possibility of continued anguish.
Mental pain and suffering damages compensate you for the emotional trauma you have experienced, including emotional distress, loss of enjoyment, anxiety, depression, and more. Civil courts will consider the injury’s future impact on your mental health as well.
Calculating pain and suffering is a challenge since it is not a quantifiable form of loss, like economic damages. Economic damages are the losses related to your actual medical expenses that can be proven through invoices, receipts, and bills. For example, according to the CDC, sufferers of chronic kidney disease can spend $22,000 a year per person for treatment. Since there is no way to validate your pain and suffering damages using hard figures and numbers, civil courts must find other ways to measure them.
In general, your attorney will negotiate or argue for pain and suffering damages using several methodologies. How much you can get for pain and suffering in a Truvada lawsuit might depend on the multiplier method. While the multiplier method is not the only way to calculate pain and suffering damages, it is a frequently used strategy.
Your Florida personal injury lawyer may assign and negotiate a number based on the severity of your physical and mental pain and suffering. For example, the number could range between “one” and “five,” where one is the least amount of damage, and five is the most. This number is then multiplied by your total economic costs.
It is not unusual for some court venues and jurisdictions to limit pain and suffering damages that an injury victim can claim. There are currently no damages caps or limits on pain and suffering awards in Florida for product liability claims, like Truvada lawsuits.
Medication Options for HIV Prevention
While Truvada is the most widely sold version of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), there are other medication options for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention and treatment. Known as a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), this classification of antiretroviral (AR) medications prevent and block the synthesis of HIV cells from spreading throughout the body.
NRTIs, like Truvada, contain the active ingredient, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), which studies have shown to cause severe bone density loss, kidney damage, and liver injuries in the patients who take them. Studies have proven that they are an effective treatment option, but their efficacy does not come without health consequences for many individuals.
After the recent lawsuits filed against Truvada’s manufacturer, Gilead Sciences, Inc., attention shifted toward finding safer alternatives to current market offerings. There are more than six classifications of medication options for HIV prevention.
In addition to NRTIs, other antiretroviral therapies include:
- Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs)
- Protease inhibitors (PIs)
- Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs)
- Fusion inhibitors
- CCR5 Antagonists
In addition to isolated drug treatment options, doctors may prescribe a fixed-dose therapy option depending on the individual’s needs and current health. Fixed-dose therapies combine multiple classes and combinations of medication to strengthen and improve the effectiveness versus stand-alone treatments.
While TDF drugs, like Truvada, have been shown to cause significant bone, kidney, and liver problems, not all NRTIs are problematic. Gilead Sciences developed an alternative to traditional TDF medications classified as NRTIs as well that contained the active ingredient, tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), which studies prove to be safer and less toxic.
Common symptoms and injuries associated with taking TDF medications include nausea, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, muscle loss, heart disease, bone density loss, and kidney damage.
Patients who are taking any of the medication options for HIV prevention will be closely monitored and evaluated by their primary care physician. If you have not received a diagnosis and have concerns regarding your overall health, you should speak with your primary care provider (PCP) as soon as possible. Not only can he or she begin treating the condition, but he or she can provide a professional medical opinion as to what may have caused any medical disorders.
If you suspect that Truvada or other TDF drugs caused your diagnosis, there are civil redress options available for compensation. Speaking with a Florida personal injury lawyer can help you better understand what they are.
What Are the Symptoms of Bone Issues Associated with Truvada?
The most common complaint by patients, who took Truvada, is that the medication caused bone issues. In this regard, you may be concerned and wondering, what are the symptoms of bone issues associated with Truvada? Research and medical opinion indicate that the drug’s active ingredient, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), causes the symptoms of bone issues associated with Truvada. Sometimes, there are no symptoms of bone health problems at all until after a fracture occurs.
Symptoms of bone issues may result in a positive osteopenia or osteoporosis diagnosis. Both conditions involve bone density loss. Depending upon a person’s age, lifestyle, and current medical conditions, symptoms can be mild to severe.
Osteopenia is the precursor to osteoporosis. Doctors do not know to check for this disorder unless it is a medical care standard if you are at higher risk. There are typically no symptoms associated with osteopenia.
Osteoporosis is an advanced stage of bone density loss, where significant bone damage has occurred. In its later stages, patients may show signs of osteoporosis after sustaining unusual fractures or experiencing bone pain. Other symptoms of osteoporosis may include a stooped posture and decreased height due to bone compression.
If you are experiencing the symptoms of bone issues associated with Truvada, medical guidelines recommend that you speak with your primary care provider as soon as possible. He or she can offer a diagnosis, if any, and begin treating you immediately. He or she can also provide his or her professional medical opinion regarding its causes and future outlook.
While bone density loss is part of aging, other factors may have played a role in your diagnosis, including early menopause, low testosterone, smoking cigarettes, heavy alcohol consumption, family history, and certain medications, like Truvada. Truvada, and other TDF drugs like it, have been shown to cause other health conditions, such as kidney damage, liver damage, and the worsening of hepatitis B. When left untreated, these health issues can result in dialysis, organ transplant, or even death.
If you believe that Truvada caused your bone, kidney, or liver injuries, you have the right to pursue fair compensation for your financial, physical, and emotional losses. There is a limited time to file a claim, which means that you should discuss your options with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to avoid missing these critical deadlines. He or she can work with you and your loved ones in understanding how to file a claim and what to expect from the process, as well.
What Is Bone Density Loss?
Bone density loss is the result of certain health conditions that affect a person’s skeletal system, including osteopenia and osteoporosis. A common complaint among patients who took tenofovir fumarate (TDF) drugs, is that they caused bone density loss when other lifestyle and age factors could not have contributed to the diseases.
Bones stay healthy and strong by resorbing and creating new tissue. However, when the body begins absorbing old bone matter, that is when things get problematic. Causes of bone density loss include hormonal changes, aging, lifestyle factors—like vitamin deficiency, smoking, and alcohol consumption—kidney damage, and kidney failure.
Kidney damage renders the body unable to filter out bone matter waste. Instead, the waste is resorbed into the skeletal system. Individuals who are experiencing TDF-related bone density loss are filing lawsuits against Gilead Sciences, Inc., Truvada’s manufacturer, for its negligent role in failing to warn them of this occurrence.
There are two types of bone density loss conditions. The first condition, osteopenia, is often a precursor to osteoporosis. It is a mild form of bone density loss, and many patients do not realize they have it unless their doctor orders a test due to age and lifestyle factors. Otherwise, it may reveal itself after having fractured a bone that seems unusual considering the impact or is through x-rays and clinical laboratory tests.
Osteoporosis is an advanced stage of bone density loss that is so severe, the patient’s bones become porous and brittle, which results in frequent and unusual bone fractures. Other signs of osteoporosis include slouched posture and decreased height, due to compression.
Patients who have either of these conditions must seek care and treatment from a doctor or medical clinic. He or she may order medication and hormone therapy as part of your health plan to restore and regenerate new bone tissue. You can also request that he or she provides an opinion as to what contributed to your bone density loss, as well as your future prognosis.
If you suspect that TDF drugs, like Truvada, played a role in your bone density loss injury, you will find that it is helpful to discuss the options available to you for financial compensation with a Florida personal injury lawyer. He or she will aid you in fully considering how to proceed under his or her legal knowledge and experience.
Who Can File a Truvada Claim?
Anyone who has sustained injuries after taking Truvada is eligible to file a claim. Truvada is an antiretroviral (AR) drug that is used to prevent and treat cell division synthesis of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Research and studies prove that drugs containing the active ingredient tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) are responsible for causing bone, kidney, and liver injuries. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer is the best way to determine if you can file a Truvada claim and pursue financial compensation for your damages and losses.
In 2018, two California patients filed a class-action petition that implicated Truvada’s manufacturer, Gilead Sciences, Inc., in negligently selling the prescription medication after knowing about its severe consequences. The most common health complications include kidney, bone, and liver damage, which severely impact a person’s health and quality of life.
In rare cases, death may occur, which means that surviving family members can file a wrongful death claim in civil court.
Truvada is the most widely sold brand of TDF drugs. However, there are other brand formulations they sold, including Viread, Atripla, Complera, and Stribild. Patients who took any of these drugs and sustained an injury can file a claim for compensation related to their financial, physical, and emotional losses.
The health conditions that TDF drugs may cause are kidney failure, kidney damage, Fanconi syndrome, osteopenia, osteoporosis, and lactic acidosis. If you took TDF drugs and are concerned about your health, you should speak with your doctor as soon as possible. He or she can provide a diagnosis, treatment, causation, and prognosis as you work together to manage your health.
Your health should be your priority, not litigating a case against a multi-billion-dollar biopharmaceutical company.
You can evaluate your options for legal restitution through civil court by speak with a personal injury lawyer. He or she will help you with gathering medical evidence and keeping track of your out-of-pocket costs so that you can pursue compensation for them as the process unfolds.
If you lost a family member to Truvada medications, no amount of money can ever replace his or her life. However, you may find it helpful to receive the compensation that pays for medical expenses, funeral services, and loss of companionship. Filing a claim may also reinforce public policy by sending a message that it is never okay to endanger the lives of others in favor of profit.
What Is a TDF Drug?
Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) drugs are used in preventing the cellular synthesis of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The FDA approved TDF drugs for use in a treatment class of antiretroviral drugs known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). TDF drugs have been shown to cause severe health conditions like kidney failure, osteoporosis, and lactic acidosis.
The 2018 personal injury lawsuit in California alleges that TDF medications caused their injuries.
The only manufacturer of name brand TDF medications is Gilead Sciences, Inc. They are also the defendants named in the certified class-action complaint. Gilead Sciences developed five TDF drugs between 2001 and 2012, which include Viread, Truvada, Atripla, Complera, and Stribild.
As with most prescription drugs, there are common side effects associated with taking TDF drugs, including fatigue, high blood pressure, appetite loss, nausea, and many others. The most significant injuries related to TDF medications, like Truvada, are kidney damage and bone loss. While other, more rare injuries may occur, like lactic acidosis, these are the most common after taking TDF medications.
The more severe side effects of TDF drugs affect the health and performance of a person’s bones and kidneys. There are serious but rare side effects that can compromise your liver health as well.
Kidney damage can present itself as acute renal failure (ARF), tubular dysfunction, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and Fanconi syndrome. If these conditions are left untreated total renal failure can occur and result in a kidney transplant or life-long dialysis.
TDF drugs also affect bone cells. Brittle, porous bones can become a chronic condition, such as osteopenia and osteoporosis. Liver damage, although rare, can occur as a result of taking TDF drugs. It can present as a condition known as lactic acidosis, which renders the liver incapable of restoring your body’s pH balance, causing damage to your muscular system.
Individuals, who have confirmed a health diagnosis associated with TDF drug injuries, should speak with a personal injury lawyer for information related to compensation for their financial, physical, and emotional losses. Time is limited when filing a claim, which means that it is more advantageous to address your questions sooner than later. He or she can support you in fully understanding the remedies available if your health was impacted after taking a TDF drug.
What is PrEP?
A pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drug prevents the contraction of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from positive to non-positive patients who are at high risk of exposure. Manufactured by Gilead Sciences, Inc., Truvada is the first and only brand name PrEP drug approved by the FDA since its inception in 2004.
Active ingredients of PrEP are a combination of the compounds tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and emtricitabine. The prescription drug works by preventing the cell synthesis of HIV.
Although practicing safe sex is best, PrEP drugs have been shown to eliminate the risk of contraction in non-positive patients. Individuals not taking PrEP, but have had their mucous membranes come into contact with bodily fluids, are treated with a post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) instead of PrEP.
You can obtain a PrEP prescription by working with a medical health professional such as a doctor or hospital clinic. Individuals who are already HIV positive should not take PrEP since it may cause them to develop resistance toward the drug. This mistake can render long-term care more problematic when taking other medications.
Not all countries around the globe have access to PrEP in spite of world health organizations advocating that it should be readily and freely available to those who need it. Upon starting PrEP, your doctor may ask you to visit with him or her for a routine check-up every three months.
As with the use of most medications, there are common and severe side effects associated with the use of PrEP medications, like Truvada. Frequently, patients will experience nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. More severe injuries related to PrEP drugs include kidney failure, bone loss, and lactic acidosis.
These complications have resulted in a class-action lawsuit filed in California against Gilead Sciences, Inc. for failing to warn patients about the severe side effects. If you are concerned that PrEP use resulted in new or worsening health issues related to your bones, kidneys, or liver, you should speak to your doctor right away. He or she can administer the clinical work that is required to confirm or rule out suspicions.
However, the discovery of an injury related to your PrEP drug prescription containing TDF may be discussed with a personal injury lawyer for more information regarding compensation of your financial, physical, and emotional losses.
What Other Injuries Are Associated With Truvada?
In addition to bone and kidney injuries, Truvada and other medications containing tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) drugs include liver damage, lactic acidosis, and the worsening of hepatitis B. When left undiagnosed or untreated, they can result in dialysis or an organ transplant. Sometimes, the consequences can even be fatal.
The liver may sustain damage after taking Truvada. What causes TDF drugs to cause the condition is still unknown.
Symptoms of liver damage cause this vital organ to stop performing its regular functions, including detoxification and protein synthesis. While there may be no signs of liver damage present, there are some that are more common. Abdominal pain, nausea, fatigue, and jaundice are a few of them. There is a risk of developing cirrhosis, the development of scar tissue on the liver.
Complications associated with liver damage include edema, blood clotting issues, kidney failure, and other bodily infections. If they are present, it can make it more difficult for your doctor to provide effective treatment. Treatment options for liver damage may be immunoglobulin shots and lifestyle changes.
Lactic acidosis, the buildup of lactic acid in the muscles, is another injury associated with Truvada since the liver cannot properly filter and process this critical enzyme. The condition is rare, but it can carry severe repercussions for those experiencing it.
The most common symptoms associated with lactic acidosis include feeling disoriented, jaundice, breathing problems, increased heart rate, muscle pain, and weakness. Lactic acidosis causes may originate from shock, heart failure, sepsis, kidney damage, liver disease, and HIV treatments, like Truvada. The drugs prevent a person’s body from appropriately regulating acid lactate levels as expected.
Treatments for the condition typically involve the delivery of oxygen and blood circulation therapies, like dialysis. Serious complications that affect your doctor’s ability to treat lactic acidosis are irregular heartbeat, coma, shock, and organ failure.
Other injuries associated with Truvada include the worsening of hepatitis B symptoms, mainly if patients stop taking the drug. Symptoms of hepatitis B include abdominal pain, nausea, fatigue, and jaundice.
If you are concerned about your overall health and well-being after taking Truvada, you must talk with your primary care provider as soon as possible in case immediate treatment is necessary.
Patients who think Truvada caused their injuries will find it helpful to discuss their experience and medical history with a personal injury lawyer. He or she can address your concerns related to financial compensation for your injuries and losses.
Did the Drug Company Intentionally Delay Safer HIV Medicine?
Accusations against Gilead Sciences, Inc. include the intentional delay of safer HIV medications, according to the 2018 California class-action complaint filed by two plaintiffs injured after taking the drug, Truvada. While the drug company continued to brand and reformulate the active ingredient, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), mounting evidence has shown that they developed a safer and less toxic version of a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication as early as the year 2000. There is a heavy emphasis placed on this assertion, since the action appears willful, intentional, and negligent.
Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) has shown to be a safer alternative to the preceding list of medications. They are shown to cause less bone, kidney, and liver damage versus patients taking traditional TDFs.
According to a study in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, TDF drugs can cause greater bone density loss. These numbers reveal the dangers associated with Truvada and other drugs containing higher doses of tenofovir.
According to news reports and the class action lawsuit, Gilead Sciences allegedly intentionally delayed the release of TAF in favor of profit. The drug company held a patent on TDF until 2017, which means that no other company could enter the TDF market. Gilead Sciences’ 2017 annual financial report indicates that it earned more than $11 billion from operations that year.
One year before the patent was up, Gilead released its first TAF drug, Descovy. If they released the formulation earlier, then it would have dipped into their TDF sales. While the civil justice system will determine if the delay was intentional, several indicators appear to support the plaintiffs’ claims.
Some patients who took TDF drugs are experiencing severe and life-threatening side effects after taking them, including bone density loss, kidney damage, and liver damage. If you suspect that Truvada or another TDF drug caused you to experience injuries, the first step is speaking with your doctor to confirm or rule out a diagnosis. They can initiate treatment and provide an opinion as to what caused your symptoms.
You or your loved one can also speak with a personal injury lawyer to discuss the possibility of financial compensation for your losses. They can help you understand the options for civil restitution available and what you can expect throughout the claims process.
HIV 101—The Basics and Prevention
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a condition that prevents the immune system from being able to fight illness, thereby weakening it over the long run. It is possible for HIV to reach its end stages in the form of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). However, the advancements of modern medicine have generally been successful in preventing the disease from reaching this level, which is in stark contrast to the past.
HIV is contracted through contact of the virus to mucous membranes located in the vagina, penis, rectum, and mouth. Contrary to widespread beliefs, you cannot contract HIV from kissing, hugging, sharing toilets, or shaking hands. Fluids that transfer HIV from a positive person to a non-positive person are blood, seminal fluid, vaginal fluid, rectal fluid, and breast milk. Women who are pregnant or are breastfeeding can transmit the virus to the unborn fetus or nursing baby.
HIV symptoms are dependent upon the stage at which the virus has progressed. Acute HIV is the first stage and exhibits signs that look like influenza. The second stage is chronic HIV and resembles stage one, except that it has lasted for around ten years. Symptomatic HIV is chronic HIV that has progressed to a level where severe symptoms are present, including weight loss, fever, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. The final stage of HIV is its progression to AIDS, which includes symptoms of night sweats, fever, lesions, weight loss, and rashes.
Learning about HIV 101—the basics and prevention—is the most effective method for preventing the spread and contraction of HIV and AIDS. A cure for these conditions does not currently exist. You can prevent its transmission by practicing safe sex, communicating with sexual partners, not sharing needles, and take a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drug. Individuals who are HIV or AIDS positive should work with a primary care physician to manage their symptoms and health.
Gilead Sciences, Inc. developed a PrEP drug for non-HIV positive patients who are at a higher risk of exposure to the virus. While the drug is clinically proven to be effective in preventing its transfer from one person to another, it has been shown to cause severe health complications, including kidney damage and bone loss, among others. If you suspect that PrEp drugs like Truvada were responsible for your health complications, you should speak with a personal injury lawyer to help you understand your legal options.
Who Is Affected by Truvada?
Anyone who took Truvada or other tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) drugs and suffered from resulting injuries can file a claim for compensation. If you or your loved one were affected by Truvada, compensation is available for your losses through civil restitution.
The Truvada lawsuits are highly technical and complex, which makes having a Florida personal injury lawyer represent you throughout the process critical. Your health should be your top focus, not trying to establish and prove the elements of a product liability personal injury lawsuit.
While money does not make up for your losses entirely, it can help you pay for expenses and injuries related to:
- Medical bills
- Therapy
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
- And possibly more
Pursuing a claim also reinforces public policy by sending a message to corporations who chose to put profit before people. Perhaps, they and others will think about their choices the next time they release a new medication.
You do not have to fight a multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical company on your own. The legal team at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers will work diligently toward receiving fair and equitable compensation for your financial, physical, and emotional losses.
It is essential that you talk to a Florida personal injury lawyer sooner rather than later since state and federal time limits exist on personal injury claims, such as Florida statute §95.11. Deadlines vary according to the details of your case, and a legal professional can review your history and determine the most advantageous time to file your claim.
Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers have represented injured patients for decades. We have the knowledge and training that you need to fight for your rights in and out of court. Our compassionate Florida personal injury lawyers will treat you and your loved ones like family and ensure you understand the claims process throughout the entire time you work with us.
We offer our caring legal services on a contingency fee basis, which means that you do not have to pay an upfront retainer if you decide to work with us. We genuinely do not collect any fees unless we win your case.
If you were affected by Truvada, you can learn more about your options by discussing the details of your case with our team. Contact our legal team to request your free, no-obligation consultation today by calling (855) 529-0269.