HIV is a virus that affects the body’s ability to fight infections, leaving patients more vulnerable to other diseases. The virus can progress into the chronic and deadly syndrome known as AIDS. Sadly, people with HIV/AIDS have faced discrimination, and misconceptions persist in our society today. In addition to the health risks and societal prejudice, there is no cure for HIV patients. Luckily, scientists have made leaps and bounds in terms of HIV treatment. However, patients claim that the HIV treatment Truvada has caused severe adverse health effects. Lawsuits allege that Truvada further jeopardized the already fragile health of HIV patients. Contact The Lake Law Firm to learn more about how a Truvada lawsuit can help you.
Our law firm is currently handling lawsuits on behalf of individuals who have taken Truvada to treat the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Patients report that Truvada may cause medical complications, including kidney failure, bone fractures, and lactic acidosis. If you developed an injury or illness after taking Truvada, reach out to one of our Truvada lawyers today to discuss your potential claim.
Gilead Sciences Inc., a biopharmaceutical company in California, introduced the innovative antiviral drug Truvada in 2004. Truvada is a prescription medication used to treat and prevent HIV-1, a virus that attacks the body’s immune cells. Since the immune cells help the body combat infections, people with HIV are at an increased risk of infections and diseases. Truvada prevents HIV cells from multiplying in the body, thus lowering the HIV viral load in the body and strengthening the patient’s immune system. Doctors prescribe Truvada in combination with other therapies as part of an HIV treatment regimen. While Truvada does not kill or cure the virus, the drug does stop further progression of the disorder.
Additionally, doctors may also recommend Truvada as a preventative medication to inhibit HIV in high-risk populations.
In 2004, the FDA approved Truvada for the treatment of HIV-1 in combination with other antiretroviral drugs. Eight years later, the agency also approved the use of Truvada to reduce the risk of HIV-negative people contracting HIV-1. The agency advised that safer sex practices should be used in combination with Truvada. Then the FDA expanded this approval for preventative use with safer sex practices to adolescents weighing at least 77 pounds in 2018.
According to the FDA, there were 11,381 adverse event reports from 2005 to September 30, 2019, concerning Truvada. Of those reports, 8,982 pertained to serious injuries, while 718 reported deaths. Truvada has a black box warning to alert patients about the risk of exacerbation of hepatitis B following treatment. The most recent labeling also cautions patients that Truvada can lead to worsening renal impairment and a decrease in bone mineral density. Despite these health concerns, neither the FDA nor Gilead Sciences Inc. has initiated a recall of Truvada.
Truvada blocks the enzyme that HIV uses to replicate itself in the body. In order to stop HIV from reproducing, doctors prescribe Truvada in high doses since it is not easily absorbed by the body. Yet, many studies have linked the active ingredient in Truvada, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), to kidney and bone damage. Research suggests that the high doses required for Truvada to be effective may cause catastrophic damage to the bones and kidneys of patients.
In 2012, a study of over 10,000 patients found that TDF is associated with significant kidney damage and chronic kidney disease. Also, another study conducted in 2018 suggested that TDF led to a loss of bone mineral density in HIV patients.
Research indicates that Truvada may cause serious health conditions. Kidney damage and bone loss are among the most commonly reported hazards linked to Truvada. Kidney injuries associated with the drug include:
Meanwhile, bone injuries claimed in Truvada lawsuits include:
In addition, Truvada may cause lactic acidosis, a condition in which lactate accumulates in the blood due to the failure of the kidneys to function properly.
Lawsuits against Gilead Sciences, Inc. claim the company knew of the kidney and bone risks associated with TDF as early as 2001. Despite this clinical data, Gilead promoted Truvada as a safe and effective drug. These lawsuits allege that Gilead Science, Inc. continued to market Truvada even though the company researched a safer alternative drug even before the release of Truvada in 2004. This alternative drug (TAF) posed no toxic threat to the kidneys and bones and was better absorbed by the body. Yet, the lawsuits assert that Gilead withheld TAF so that it could continue to profit from Truvada sales since the company still had years left on its patent. Lawsuits claim that once the TDF patent neared expiration in 2010, Gilead suddenly announced the discovery of a new revolutionary HIV drug, TAF.
In May 2018, the AIDS Health Foundation filed a class-action lawsuit against Gilead Sciences, Inc. The company sought to dismiss the claims in these lawsuits, but a judge ruled that most personal injury claims against Gilead may proceed. The first big Truvada lawsuit set for a bellwether trial will be in California on January 24, 2024.
If you or a loved one has been injured by Truvada, you may recover compensation for any or all of the following:
Plaintiffs accuse Gilead Sciences Inc. of choosing profits over the well-being of consumers. The company allegedly continued to distribute Truvada even though it already manufactured the superior and less toxic drug TAF. Rather than release the safer alternative, lawsuits argue that Gilead purposely withheld the drug so the company could continue generating billions from Truvada. Thousands have developed life-long injuries amid Gilead’s supposed money-making scheme. One of our Truvada lawyers can help you pursue a lawsuit to recover damages caused by the toxic drug.
The Lake Law Firm was founded by Edward J. Lake, Esq., a personal injury lawyer for over 25 years. Our dedicated team of attorneys is committed to seeking justice on behalf of those who have suffered injury or death due to the negligence of others. Our experienced attorneys handle many different types of pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices, and other defective products. The lawyers in our firm have helped collect millions of dollars for their clients. The Lake Law Firm will advocate for you and your rights. Please contact us for a free confidential case evaluation at (888) 525-3529 or submit an inquiry on this page.
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