Truvada is one of the most popular TDF drugs prescribed to prevent HIV and AIDS. It contains tenofovir which is an antiviral medicine that prevents HIV from multiplying in the body and causing AIDS. This drug does not cure people, it is just a preventative drug.
The FDA approved Gilead’s first TDF medication for HIV prevention in 2001, though they already knew from tests that there was a better and safer drug (TAF) than TDF in 2000. Truvada became the first medication available to consumers for HIV prevention with other TDF-based drugs following in 2012. Nearly 10 years after TDF had been on the market, the patent was nearing its end and Gilead finally got their shelved drug TAF approved by the FDA in 2014 and on the market by 2015.
There is currently around 1 million people in the US living with AIDS and another 1.2 million at risk for HIV. It is important to take preventative action for this virus, however, there are approximately 2-6% of people that are taking TDF medications and are experiencing complications.
Serious side effects that can arise after taking Truvada that include severe kidney and bone problems. Below is a list of possible adverse health effects.
- Kidney damage
- Chronic or worsening kidney disease
- Kidney failure
- Fanconi Syndrome
- Bone mineral density loss
- Bone weakening and fractures
- Broken bones
- Osteopenia
- Osteomalacia
- Osteoporosis
With the drug putting a lot of stress and strain on kidneys, it causes symptoms such as weakness, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty breathing for people who have taken Truvada and developed kidney problems.
Truvada Lawsuits
According to a recent article by US Recall News published on July 8th, 2019, the mass tort lawsuits against Gilead claim that they knew that TDF carried significant risks over other drugs and that they were negligent in putting people at risk for severe health conditions for around 10 years.
The dangers and side effects of Truvada have been known to consumers through warnings on the drug labels, however, the company neglected to release a drug that they knew was safer in order to prolong their patent for Truvada and maximize their profit. This is the basis for the many lawsuits that have been arising in regards to accusations of design defect and negligence.
To quality for a TDF drug lawsuit, you need to have proof that you have taken a TDF drug such as Truvada and suffered a kidney or bone related health effect.
If you have taken Truvada and believe that you may be eligible to participate in a Truvada lawsuit, please contact the McEwen Law Firm right away.
