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Truvada

Truvada Lawsuit

Individuals who were treated with Truvada and suffered from kidney disease and bone density loss may be eligible to pursue a claim and seek financial compensation.

Truvada is a prescription, antiviral medication used for HIV treatment. The drug is also prescribed to high-risk individuals as part of pre-exposure prophylaxis to reduce acquiring HIV infection. It works by interfering with an enzyme used by HIV-infected cells to reproduce, thus slowing down and stopping the production of new viruses. In 2018, lawsuits were filed against Truvada manufacturer Gilead Sciences, alleging that the company delayed releasing a safer HIV medication to boost Truvada’s profits. It also alleges that the company knew about the dangerous side effects of using Truvada but failed to warn consumers.

If you or a loved one were treated with Truvada and developed kidney injuries or bone density loss, contact Maxwell Law Group today. We can answer your questions and review your case for free.

For help understanding your options if you’ve been injured by Truvada, reach out to our firm or call (844) 525-7155.

What is Truvada?

Truvada (generic name: emtricitabine/tenofovir) is an antiviral medication used to treat and prevent HIV and AIDS. It is part of the pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for uninfected individuals who are at risk for HIV infection. It is also used as part of antiretroviral combination therapy for HIV-positive patients.

Truvada received FDA approval in 2004 as a treatment for HIV infection, and later in 2012 as part of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in combination with safe sex practices, to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV infection.

Truvada is manufactured by Gilead Sciences and is patented in the United States until 2020. It is available as a generic drug in other countries.

Truvada Quick Facts

Z

USES

Antiviral medication used to treat and prevent HIV and AIDS

s

SIDE EFFECTS

Kidney injuries and bone density loss



FDA APPROVAL

2004



MANUFACTURER

Gilead Science

How Does Truvada Work?

Truvada is a combination of two drugs: Tenofovir and Emtricitabine. Tenofovir belongs to a drug class called nucleotide analogues while Emtricitabine is classified under nucleoside analogues. Both of these drugs interfere with an enzyme called reverse transcriptase, which is used by HIV-infected cells to make new viruses. Since the virus cannot replicate and infect other healthy cells, the infection slows down or stops.

Risks and Warnings

One of Truvada’s dangerous side effects includes kidney problems, including kidney injury and failure. It can also cause bone problems such as decreased bone density leading to osteoporosis and fractures.

Truvada can also cause severe liver problems and lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis occurs as a result of excessive lactic acid in the blood. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • abdominal pain
  • diarrhea
  • unexpected tiredness
  • unexpected muscle pain
  • feeling cold especially in the arms and legs
  • feeling dizzy or light-headed

Truvada also has a black box warning regarding the acute exacerbation of Hepatitis B during use.

truvada side effect

The time you have to pursue a claim is limited. Do not wait to reach out to our firm or call (844) 525-7155 to see if you have a case.

Injuries from Truvada

A study in 2016 showed that while Truvada may be safe for most people, individuals who have risk factors for kidney problems may develop mild or moderate kidney impairment after using Truvada. Risk factors include age and increased exposure to PrEP.  

In 2015, a report presented in the 15th European AIDS Conference and the 17th International Workshop on Co-morbidities and Adverse Drug Reactions in HIV showed that a decline in bone mineral density had been observed in men who take Truvada. Patients who had higher blood Tenofovir levels showed spine bone loss of about -0.5% at week 24 and about -1.5% at week 48. In contrast, participants with undetectable Tenofovir blood levels had no change in bone density.

Truvada Lawsuits

The first Truvada lawsuits were filed in 2018 in California, alleging that manufacturer Gilead Sciences failed to warn consumers about Truvada’s dangerous side effects involving the kidneys and bone density among people who did not have a history of kidney or bone-related problems.

Furthermore, the lawsuits claim that the company stopped the development of a safer medication called Tenofovir Alafenamide (TAF), which required lesser doses and did not have the same risks are Truvada.

Gilead Sciences continued to market and profit from Truvada until its patent expired in 2015.

To date, more than 1,000 Truvada lawsuits have been filed against Gilead Sciences in state and federal courts.

How Maxwell Law Group Can Help

If you or a loved one were treated with Truvada and suffered from kidney problems or bone density loss, Maxwell Law Group can help get you the compensation you deserve. Call (844) 525-7155 or fill out the form below and we’ll investigate your case at no cost to you.

Truvada Lawsuit Infographics

Truvada Quick Facts infograph [UPDATED]
Truvada lawsuit timeline

You Deserve to be Compensated

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We're On Your Side

Our attorneys are always ready to speak with you about your personal situation. Every day we help people in situations similar to yours. Our team can guide you each step of the way and make sure you get the financial compensation you deserve.

While our physical offices are in Utah and Washington DC, we offer our services nationwide. We'd be honored to discuss your case with you free of charge.

Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, don't wait to take action. Contact us today.

To speak with us directly, call (844) 525-7155. We want to hear about your situation and help you through this difficult time.

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