The HIV medication Juluca (dolutegravir) has been linked to an increased risk of brain and spinal birth defects, such as spina bifida.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Juluca induced injury cases in all 50 states. If your child or somebody you know was born with brain or spinal cord birth defects from Juluca, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
What is the problem?
A study of HIV-positive pregnant women in Botswana found a higher risk of having a baby with brain or spinal cord birth defects, such as spina bifida, among mothers who used the anti-HIV medication dolutegravir just before they got pregnant or early in pregnancy.
Dolutegravir is an ingredient in Triumeq, Tivicay, and Juluca.
What is Juluca?
Juluca® is an anti-retroviral medication for the treatment of HIV-1 (human immunodeficiency virus type 1). Juluca combines dolutegravir and rilpivirine into one pill taken daily. These two drugs work in different ways to prevent HIV from multiplying, which helps reduce the amount of HIV in the body.
FDA Warning for Juluca Birth Defects
In May 2018, the FDA published a Safety Communication to warn pregnant women about the risk of birth defects from taking Juluca in early pregnancy.
The FDA is recommending that pregnant women switch to another HIV medication.
“Neural tube defects happen early in pregnancy, before many women even know they are pregnant. For this reason, women of childbearing age should talk to their health care professional about other non-dolutegravir-containing antiretroviral medicines.”
Neural Tube Birth Defects
Neural tube birth defects occur in the brain, spine, or spinal cord. They develop during the first month of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows she is pregnant.
For example, spina bifida is the most common neural tube birth defect. It occurs when the spinal column does not close completely. The baby is usually born with nerve damage that causes paralysis of the legs.
Types of Brain & Spinal Birth Defects
- Spina bifida
- Meningocele
- Myelomeningocele
- Anencephaly
- Encephalocele
- Iniencephaly
Do I have a Juluca Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Juluca induced injury cases in all 50 states. If your child or somebody you know was born with brain or spinal cord birth defects from Juluca, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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