Truvada is a brand name drug of a version of TDF, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, or TDF. The drug is used for the treatment of HIV infection and chronic Hepatitis B infections. A combination of two medicines, emtricitabine and tenofovirit, Truvada has been used for ten years as part of a drug regimen that suppresses HIV in people already positive for HIV infection. In 2012, Truvada, also known as ‘Truvada for Prep’ became the first drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in helping to prevent HIV-negative people from getting infected through sexual intercourse.
HIV is a virus spread through contact with certain body fluids that attacks the body’s immune system, specifically T-cells, or CD4 cells. Our t-cells help the body fight off infection and over time, HIV destroys so many of these vital cells and the resulting damage to the immune system makes it harder to fight opportunistic infections and diseases.
Use of TDF has caused severe blood lactate and an enlarged liver in patients. Many patients have alleged serious medical damage due to their use of Truvada, including acute renal failure, bone fractures, chronic kidney disease and declining kidney function, Fanconi Syndrome, kidney tubular disfunction, osteopenia, and osteoporosis.
Gilead Sciences Inc. manufactures Truvada, which is one of five different TDF brand name drugs in the U.S. including Atripla, Complera, Stribild, and Viread. A generic version of TDF is also available in the U.S.
TDF is one of the most commonly prescribed anti-retroviral (ARVs) drugs and a recommended component of most HIV treatment regimens, however TDF presents several health and safety concerns. All ARVs formulated with TDF have warnings for new-onset or worsening renal impairment as a side effect of use.
There is substantial evidence that Gilead withheld TAF, a safer alternative version of these tenofovir drugs for more than a decade until the company’s original patents on TDF medication expired. The company knew that its TDF drugs caused serious side effects but prioritized profits over patient safety. By 2001-02, Gilead delayed research documenting that TAF was far less toxic than TDF and withheld its release of TAF because sales of the more toxic TDF were booming.
More than 25,000 people with HIV have been diagnosed with serious side effects after taking TDF-based ARV medication, including kidney disease and bone density loss. Scientific studies have confirmed that TDF drugs cause a 40% increase in the risk of bone fractures and nearly 6,000 bone breaks have been linked to TDF nationwide.
The FDA in 2002 issued Gilead a warning letter regarding its TDF marketing practices, specifically stating that their sales representatives had violated the law by giving doctors and patients false and misleading information regarding TDF’s side effects. According to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Gilead salespeople falsely stated that TDF had ‘no toxicities’ and that it was both ‘benign’ and ‘extremely safe.’
You might have a legal claim if you were prescribed TDF under the brand names Truvada, Atripla, Complera, Stribild, or Viread. To advance a legal claim you should have documented, consistent duration of use after 2001 in pharmacy and medical records, and no prior history of bone disorders, kidney/liver damage, and hypertension. Potential clients should have a medical diagnosis of renal damage, declining kidney damage, bone fractures or osteoporosis. The Dunken Law Approach is hyper client-focused: with our high-touch client concierge platform you’ll receive regular litigation updates, customized content to explain the mass tort process and proactive communication. Speak to one of our knowledgeable mass tort lawyers from The Dunken Law Firm, and receive a free legal consultation. Use the form on this page to get started.