Gilead Science, Inc. may have been aware Truvada, its HIV drug containing tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), could cause serious side effects but withheld a safer version of the drug until the patent for its TDF drug expired.
Gilead is now facing numerous lawsuits filed in the state of California, where the company is headquartered, by patients who have suffered severe side effects that have led to financial, physical, and mental distress.
If you or a loved one have taken Truvada, or any of Gilead TDF drugs, and have been diagnosed with kidney problems and/or bone density loss by a physician or healthcare provider, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Murphy & Prachthauser today to learn more about your legal rights and options, and continue reading below to learn more.
Truvada and Other TDF Drugs For HIV Treatment
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Gilead’s TDF drug Truvada belongs to a class of antiretroviral medications used to treat the HIV virus and help prevent or reduce the risk of contracting HIV, which doctors refer to as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
Other TDF drugs distributed by Gilead for the prevention and treatment of HIV include:
- Viread
- Atripla
- Complera
- Stribild
These TDF medications work by blocking the pathways viruses use to spread infections, inhibiting the HIV-1 virus from replicating in a person’s body. This process ultimately reduces the transmission rate while strengthening the immune system, making it beneficial for HIV prevention and necessary for HIV treatment.
Truvada and TDF Drug Side Effects: Kidney Problems and Bone Density Loss
Individuals taking Truvada or one of Gilead’s other TDF drugs allegedly have an increased risk of developing kidneyissues and experiencing bone density loss. Side effects reported by patients include:
- Kidney failure
- Chronic kidney disease
- Acute kidney injury (AKI) or acute renal failure (ARF)
- Fanconi failure
- Osteoporosis
- Osteopenia
These health conditions can be extremely life-altering and disheartening, with many of them leading to lifelong medical attention. For example, if a patient is diagnosed with kidney failure, they may need a kidney transplant or dialysis to help filter waste from their blood, which can be emotionally, physically, and financially draining.
Other symptoms associated with the kidney and bone loss problems linked to Truvada include:
- Bone fractures
- Chronic pain
- Extreme fatigue and weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Fluid retention and swelling
- Seizures or coma in severe cases
Truvada Lawsuits Against Gilead Sciences
The same year Truvada was FDA-approved (2001), Gilead began the development of a less toxic alternative known as tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF). Based on a document submitted in a patent application, the company continued to keep the TDF drug on the market for nearly a decade, despite the availability of a safer TAF alternative.
Plaintiffs who claim they suffered avoidable side effects are suing the drug manufacturer for product liability and negligence grounds, stating that Gilead:
- Withheld the safer TAF product from the market until the TDF patent expired, at which point the company could apply for a new patent for a better medication.
- Placed company profits before the safety of consumers and the general public.
- Failed to inform the public of the dangers of TDF and continued to sell the drug despite developing a safer and stronger alternative drug.
Pursuing legal action with the aid of an experienced drug injury lawyer can not only raise safety standards for the medical community, but it can also provide you with a settlement amount that can help cover:
- Medical treatments and expenses needed due to drug side effects
- Lost wages and earnings resulting from lost time due to drug side effects
- Punitive damages intended to punish Gilead for putting profit over customer safety
- Costs associated with the emotional and physical pain the drug may have caused
What Should Patients Do If They Have Experienced Kidney Problems and Bone Loss with Truvada?
If you have taken Truvada or any other TDF drug and are experiencing kidney and bone density problems, you should first go to your doctor and get the help you need. After getting adequate medical care, contact your local, trusted personal injury attorney to discuss your options for filing a lawsuit.
Why You Need An Experienced Drug Injury Lawyer
An experienced defective drug injury lawyer knows how to manage complicated negligence cases and class-action lawsuits with expertise. The drug injury and litigation experts at Murphy & Prachthauser can discuss your concerns and help ensure you have the resources and information you need to make an informed, educated decision about your legal options.
If you or a loved one has taken a Gilead TDF drug and have been diagnosed with lifelong kidney or bone loss problems, please complete a 2-minute free online case evaluation or contact Murphy & Prachthauser directly.
Murphy & Prachthauser cares about your safety and wellbeing, which is why you will never be charged to discuss any potential case you may have. We have been helping our Wisconsin neighbors for over 40 years, with offices in Downtown Milwaukee, Southside Milwaukee, Waukesha, Mequon, and West Bend. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us today!