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 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.

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.

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.