Atripla is an anti-HIV drug manufactured by Gilead that contains an older version of tenofovir (TDF). It has been linked to a higher risk of bone loss, osteoporosis, tooth decay, kidney injury, and other severe side effects.
Need a Texas Atripla Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with bone loss, dental problems, or kidney damage after taking Atripla, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
HIV Drug Lawsuits
Lawsuits have been filed against Gilead by people who accuse the drug-maker of intentionally failing to warn about severe kidney, tooth, and bone side effects of a high-dose version of tenofovir in its HIV drugs.
The lawsuits claim that Gilead knew about the risks in 2001, and quickly developed and tested a lower-dose version of tenofovir with a lower risk of side effects. Instead of immediately releasing the safer drug, Gilead continued to sell the older drug to maximize profits.
What is Atripla?
Gilead’s anti-HIV medication Atripla® combines 3 drugs in one pill — efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). These drugs do not cure HIV, but they prevent HIV viruses from multiplying. This helps reduce the total amount of the virus in the body.
Kidney Injuries Linked to Atripla
- Chronic kidney disease
- Declining kidney function
- Acute kidney injury
- Acute renal failure
- Fanconi syndrome
- Kidney failure
Bone Injuries Linked to Atripla
- Osteoporosis
- Decreased bone mineral density
- Osteopenia
- Bone fractures
- Dental problems
- Tooth decay
- Tooth loss
- Low phosphate levels (hypophosphatemia)
HIV Drug Lawsuit Filed in California
In May 2018, the Los Angeles Times reported that 2 men who were harmed by side effects of Gilead’s HIV drugs filed a lawsuit accusing Gilead of failing to warn about kidney, tooth, and bone side effects, as well as delaying a safer version of the medications to continue profiting off its monopoly.
Instead of continuing to develop the safer alternative, the lawsuit claims, the Foster City company decided to hide tenofovir’s risks while earning billions of dollars as it became one of the world’s most prescribed medicines for HIV.
What is the Problem?
Gilead allegedly kept a safer version of the medication in its laboratories while patients with HIV suffered for up to a decade of “additional accumulated kidney and bone toxicity.”
Gilead now recommends that doctors to switch HIV patients to the new medication to reduce side effects to their kidneys, teeth, and bones.
Who Filed the Lawsuit?
The lawsuit was filed by Michael Lujano, a man from Los Angeles who took Gilead’s older HIV drugs from 2004 to 2015. In 2016, he was diagnosed with bone loss and osteoporosis of the spine, neck and hip.
The lawsuit was also filed by Jonathan C. Gary, a man from San Diego who took Gilead’s older HIV drugs from 2001 to 2011. He was diagnosed with a rare kidney disorder known as Fanconi syndrome in 2010. In 2017, he was diagnosed with osteopenia and osteoporosis.
Need an Atripla Lawyer in Texas?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our Texas Atripla lawyers for a free lawsuit review.