Who Is Behind Truvada Lawsuit?

Who Is Behind Truvada Lawsuit?

Truvada is a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) prescribed to treat and decrease the risk of contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through sexual contact. The drug has recently been cited for causing bone damage and kidney failure in its consumers. The people behind Truvada lawsuits are patients who took the drug to protect their health whose health was damaged in a different way.

If you or someone you love suffered harm connected to your use of Truvada, you could be eligible to join other injured plaintiffs seeking financial compensation. The manufacturer of Truvada, Gilead Sciences, Inc., is being held liable for its failure to warn consumers about the potential bone and kidney damage. You can join these plaintiffs in seeking compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.

Who Can File a Truvada Lawsuit?

If you took Truvada to protect yourself from HIV and were later diagnosed with kidney failure or osteoporosis, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the drug’s manufacturer. However, you must  establish a correlation between the drug and the disease. You can also file a lawsuit if a loved one lost their life due to a Truvada-related illness, and you are the decedent’s:

• Spouse
• Parent
• Child

Under those circumstances, you could be eligible to seek compensation by filing a wrongful death lawsuit. Other relatives may also qualify. The attorneys in our network offer no-cost, no-obligation reviews that will prove your eligibility to join others in pursuit of recoverable damages.

People Who Filed Lawsuits

Many plaintiffs have filed and are continuing to file lawsuits alleging that Truvada use harmed their health. The lawsuit complaint was filed against Gilead Sciences, Inc., in 2018. At that time:

• Michael Lujano filed his lawsuit after being diagnosed with bone disease of the spine, neck, and hip. He had taken Truvada for five years.
• Jonathan C. Gary also filed his lawsuit in 2018 after being diagnosed with a kidney disorder and bone disease after taking Truvada for 10 years.

These initial lawsuits were filed in California in May 2018. The manufacturer attempted unsuccessfully to dismiss their lawsuits, but they were upheld and allowed to proceed on all legal points except strict liability. Christopher Pierot, Devin Martinez, and Ricardo Wohler also have pending Truvada lawsuits as of 2021.

Who Takes Truvada?

Sexually active patients who might have an increased risk of contracting HIV take Truvada to protect themselves from the disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) research and Truvada’s prescription information cite its use for:

• Treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• Treating Hepatitis B
• Preventing HIV

The individuals who opt to take Truvada must also undergo HIV testing once every three months. They also must be HIV-negative and have a minimum body weight of 77 pounds.

Only a physician can prescribe Truvada. You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing and inform them of any other medications (sold over the counter or prescribed) to guard against potential medication interactions.

Who Manufactures Truvada?

As the drug’s manufacturer, Gilead Sciences, Inc., is the company behind ongoing Truvada lawsuits. The medication’s active ingredients are emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. Gilead Sciences, Inc., spent more than 1 billion dollars researching and developing Truvada with an eye toward defeating the spread of AIDS.

The company now faces lawsuits from angry and ill consumers who discovered the drug was damaging their health in other ways. These Truvada users are filing individual, class action, and mass tort lawsuits to recover medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

Truvada Lawsuit – Legal Claims for Bone Loss & Kidney Failure

When your doctor prescribes a medication, you expect it to do what its label promises. It can be stressful and disheartening to find out it put your health in jeopardy instead. The legal claims people are making regarding Truvada are two-fold, according to Bloomberg. It asserts that:

• Truvada seriously damages the kidneys and bones.
• Gilead Sciences, Inc., withheld information on a similar drug that does not have these potentially life-threatening side effects.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation cites these reasons in its pending lawsuit. It is alleged that the safer medication was withheld to increase Truvada’s profits, thereby putting unsuspecting consumers and their health at risk.

What Are the Health Risks Associated with Truvada?

According to Stanford Health Care, Truvada use could result in the following minor side effects:

• Rash
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Appetite loss

Its research also cites more serious health risks associated with Truvada, including:

• A dangerous increase in kidney enzymes that can lead to kidney damage and failure
• A dangerous decrease in bone density that can lead to osteopenia or osteoporosis
• Dangerously high amounts of lactic acid that can lead to fatty liver and other liver disorders

Regular health screenings can help protect you. If you suffer any of these serious health challenges, attorneys in our network can help you find your place in a qualifying Truvada lawsuit.

Decreased Bone Density and Osteoporosis

Strong, healthy bones support your spine, which, in turn, is your body’s foundation. Bone density is the measure of your bone’s mass. Low bone density can lead to a condition called osteopenia. Osteoporosis can quickly follow osteopenia, causing weakened and brittle bones.

If you took Truvada and notice the following symptoms of poor bone health, talk to your health care provider without delay:

• New back pain
• Losing height
• Stooping over

Bones that break or fracture easily are also cause for immediate concern. Consider having your bone density tested to protect and preserve your health as much as possible. You should also consider consulting one of our network’s Mass Tort Lawsuit lawyers to ensure you know the steps involved in seeking compensation from Truvada’s manufacturer.

Kidney Damage and Renal Failure

Your kidneys are two organs toward the back of your body that clean your blood and filter water and waste out of your body by producing urine. Kidneys that do not function properly can damage your health and shorten your lifespan. In some cases, kidney failure might be treatable depending on its cause. Treatment options include:

• Medications
• Dialysis
• Transplant

Healthy kidneys support a healthy body. If your kidneys are damaged, or you have been diagnosed with kidney disease or failure related to your Truvada use, the lawyer who represents you will help you establish the link and build a case for monetary compensation.

Symptoms of Kidney Failure

Kidney failure could lead to long-term dialysis and decrease your life expectancy. According to Mayo Clinic research, you should alert your doctor if you experience the following symptoms of kidney failure:

• Less frequent urination
• Swollen legs and ankles
• Shortness of breath
• Confusion and exhaustion
• Unusual chest pain
• Seizures or coma in severe cases

Be especially vigilant about reporting any symptoms of kidney failure if you have taken Truvada. Kidney failure that can be connected to the drug could entitle you to compensation from Gilead Sciences, Inc. If someone you love did not survive kidney disease or failure that was caused by Truvada, you could also be eligible for compensation.

Lactic Acidosis

According to MedLine Plus, lactic acidosis is the result of a high level of lactic acid in the blood. These high levels cannot be metabolized and lead to insufficient oxygen supply to tissues and organs. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include nausea and vomiting. You may also experience weakness.

In addition to these signs, Healthline also recommends seeking medical attention if your notice these unusual symptoms:

• Fruity-smelling breath
• Unusual confusion
• Jaundiced skin and eyes
• Difficulty breathing

Inform your doctor of any symptoms and have your blood levels checked regularly to keep track of your lactate and electrolyte because lactic acidosis can lead to potentially fatal kidney failure. A lactic acidosis diagnosis related to your Truvada use could mean you can seek compensation from Gilead Sciences, Inc., for your injury-related monetary damages.

What Is the Current State of the Truvada Litigation?

As of early 2022, no Truvada cases have reached the trial or settlement phase. Many are being combined into a single multidistrict litigation (MDL) case. This allows a federal court to conduct procedures and make rulings on hearings and motions.

Understanding who is behind Truvada lawsuits and your role in them can help you understand the next steps you should take if you are considering seeking financial compensation for your damaged health. You could recover damages for your:

• Current and future healthcare
• Current and future lost wages
• Ongoing pain and suffering
• Mental and emotional trauma

You might also be able to recover wrongful death damages if you are seeking compensation after the Truvada-related demise of a loved one. Finally, you might be able to recover additional damages – called punitive damages – if the dependent’s failure to warn you of its product’s damages are deemed intentional or intentionally egregious.

Failure to Warn and Defective Design Claims

When a manufacturer makes a product available to the public, it must provide proper warnings about any inherent dangers of using the product.

This failure to alert or warn consumers could make the company liable for financial damages. When a product is used for its intended purpose and you are injured, the manufacturer can be held responsible for any financial expenses and losses you suffer.

The lawsuits being filed against Gilead Sciences, Inc., allege that the company did not warn consumers and that it intentionally blocked the sale of another effective medication that might be safer for consumers to use.

The Dangers of Taking Truvada

Stanford Health Care’s research indicates that long-term Truvada use can pose several dangers to consumer health. Very rarely, consumers report a short-lived change in the color of their skin that can be alarming. Taking Truvada can also lead to significant, possibly life-threatening, dangers including:

• Brittle bones
• Kidney damage
• Liver damage

Seek immediate medical attention if you take Truvada and notice any subsequent signs and symptoms that might indicate either. Getting immediate medical care can ensure you receive an accurate diagnosis and medical care that can increase your chances of improving your health and reaching maximum medical improvement (MMI) status.

Do I Have Grounds for a Truvada Lawsuit?

On your own, proving the link between your Truvada consumption and how the medication’s active ingredients harmed your health can be complex. You have grounds for a Truvada lawsuit if:

• You took Truvada and can prove it damaged your health.
• You are the surviving family member of an injured Truvada consumer.

The legal team that represents you will read and review your medical records and consult medical experts to establish the link that entitles you to compensation. Your lawyer may also request a complete medical and prescription history.

Truvada Lawsuits: No Fees Unless We Collect for You

You do not have to wait to start or join a Truvada lawsuit. The attorneys in our network represent injured plaintiffs on a contingency fee basis. That means you can start preparing your lawsuit with no up-front or out-of-pocket costs to you. By working on a contingency agreement, the mass tort lawyer who represents you will:

• Review your potential case for free
• Absorb the costs of preparing and filing your lawsuit
• Receive their fee only when you win a settlement or verdict

The law firm you work with will be upfront and transparent when explaining the percentage of your award that constitutes their fee. They will also make sure you understand the potential timeline of your case and each step in the settlement process.

Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation

If you were prescribed Truvada and subsequently suffered from kidney failure or bone loss, Truvada’s manufacturer could be responsible for compensating you for your resulting expenses and losses. Find out who is behind Truvada lawsuits and how you can qualify to join them. Fill out our contact form for help with your case, or call 1.844.448.6787 for a free consultation.