Truvada | Pharmaceutical Injury

Truvada Attorney

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Investigating kidney failure and bone density loss allegedly linked to Truvada

Truvada PrEP with TDF is approved to treat HIV-negative adults and protect them from contracting the virus. Injured plaintiffs have filed lawsuits against Gilead Sciences, claiming they have been harmed by Truvada, an HIV medication allegedly linked to dangerous side effects and complications.

Truvada (tenofovir disproxil), one of the most prescribed medicines for HIV, and plaintiffs have claimed it has been associated with kidney failure, bone density loss, and other injuries by patients throughout the country. Attorneys representing injured HIV patients are investigating if Gilead may have intentionally delayed the development of a safer drug in order to continue profiting while patients risked kidney failure.

The class action lawsuit alleges Gilead knew as far back as 2000 that the company’s research department had developed a less dangerous and less toxic HIV medicine that better limited the risk of kidney failure and bone density loss. But the company failed to develop the safer medication, according to attorneys, and Gilead may have concealed tenofovir’s risks.

Complaints say HIV patients risk suffering from kidney failure, lactic acidosis and bone toxicity, as well as other side effects and complications.

Joe Lyon is an experienced drug injury attorney representing plaintiffs in pharmaceutical class actions and engaging large drug companies in injury settlements.

Truvada for PrEP

PrEP, or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, can be used to protect patients before contact with HIV-1. Truvada, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October 2001. Gilead sold the drug under the brand name Viread, then later Atripla, Truvada, Stribild and Complera.

For individuals taking Truvada with TDF to treat HIV, they must take the drug in combination with other HIV medicines like NRTIs for a complete treatment regimen.

Lawsuits allege Gilead knew their drug—in high dosages—could cause kidney damage and bone loss as early as 2001. But the drug labeling failed to alert patients of the potential risks.

According to attorneys, Gilead developed a different version of the medicine called tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) that was arguably less toxic and more effective. But studies of the drug’s effectiveness were not disclosed for several years, perhaps because it was more profitable to keep selling the inferior drug.

Not until 2015 did the FDA approve TAF in a drug called Genvoya, as well as Odefsey and Descovy. Meanwhile plaintiffs involved in the Truvada lawsuits have developed osteopenia and osteoporosis, and Fanconi syndrome, a rare kidney disorder.

Now Gilead Sciences faces lawsuits and allegations of a failure to warn patients of serious side effects like osteoporosis, lactic acidosis, dental issues and kidney failure after taking the antiretrovirals. Other side effects of Truvada with TDF include abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, headache, dizziness, depression, muscular pain, skin problems and sleep issues.

Truvada Injury Lawsuits

Class action lawsuits have been filed by thousands of HIV patients and PrEP users, and plaintiffs argue that Gilead ought to create a fund for those victims of TDF-related drug injury. Attorneys and consumer protection advocates are seeking resolution and compensation for those injured. Gilead marketed and sold less effective drugs for almost 15 years.

Gilead disputes the allegations that the company failed to warn patients. The company has stated that in the past it has included warnings about side effects for patients with a history of kidney or bone loss related ailments. Plaintiffs say Gilead violated Strict Products Liability and Failure to warn, Gross Negligence, and Breach of Express and Implied Warranty laws.