Truvada HIV/AIDS Drug Kidney and Bone Damage Lawsuit

If you or a loved one were prescribed and took a TDF drug commonly prescribed for HIV/AIDS treatment and then suffered kidney or bone damage, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the Kishish Law Group today for your free and confidential case evaluation by completing our contact form or calling us toll free at 1 (888) 609-4664.

Patients who take TDF drugs are suing Gilead Sciences, Inc., alleging that the pharmaceutical and biosciences company failed to warn about the dangers of their popular HIV/AIDS drugs. Patients accuse Gilead of knowing that their drugs could potentially cause kidney and bone damage and failing to inform the public of that danger.

The Kishish Law Group can help you join the lawsuits against Gilead. Joining this lawsuit may help you pay for medical bills, lost wages, and other costs associated with your suffering. Your participation in this lawsuit can also send a message to the big pharmaceutical companies that they should fully test their drugs to make sure that they are safe before marketing them.

What are TDF drugs?

TDF drugs are drugs commonly prescribed for HIV/AIDS treatment. TDF, short for tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, is part of a class of antiretroviral drugs called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors that slow the progression of HIV. These drugs stop the virus from multiplying and can help those afflicted with the disease live longer, healthier lives. Doctors may also prescribe TDF drugs for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of sexually-acquired HIV and for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus infections.

The American biotechnology company Gilead Sciences, Inc. markets TDF drugs. These drugs are sold under five names, including some formulations that combine multiple antiretroviral drugs into a single dose:

Truvada
Viread
Complera
Stirbild
Atripla

What side effects have people reported?

Patients prescribed TDF drugs have reported kidney damage and osteoporosis after taking the drugs. Studies have suggested that TDF drugs may build up in the kidneys and damage the delicate kidney tubules. Over time, this damage may affect the pH balance of the body and lead to loss of bone density.

According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of kidney damage may include:

Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
Fatigue and weakness
Problems with sleeping
Changes in urination
Swelling of the feet or ankles
Muscle twitches and cramps
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
High blood pressure

The Mayo Clinic notes that kidney disease may progress slowly and that signs and symptoms may not be observable until serious damage has occurred. Thus, it is important to see a doctor if you begin to experience symptoms of kidney disease. Do not quit taking your medication without first consulting a medical professional.

What is the TDF drug lawsuit about?

Patients allege that Gilead Sciences knew that their TDF drugs could harm people but withheld a safer version from the market in order to maximize profits. Two lawsuits filed in California accuse Gilead of continuing to promote and market TDF while knowing of its dangerous and potentially fatal side effects.

Plaintiffs in these lawsuits say that in 2004 Gilead intentionally failed to pursue research into tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) to protect its profits on the TDF drugs despite knowing that TAF would be safer. The lawsuits allege that Gilead wanted to maximize its profits on TDF while the company retained an exclusive right to sell the drug. Once its patent on TDF was near expiration, the lawsuits say that Gilead began to develop TAF in earnest.

After several years of promoting the allegedly unsafe TDF drugs, Gilead finally brought TAF to market. To convince doctors to switch to the new drugs, Gilead told doctors that TAF was safer than TDF. In support of its position, Gilead said that the TAF drugs reduced the risk of kidney and bone damage—the same ailments the plaintiffs in these suits now suffer from.

Plaintiffs that took TDF drugs while Gilead allegedly withheld a safer drug seek to recover compensatory damages for their injuries and suffering. Further, plaintiffs seek to impose punitive damages for Gilead's conduct.

Do I have a claim in the HIV/AIDS drug lawsuit?

Contacting a lawyer is the best way to determine whether you have a claim in the HIV/AIDS drug kidney and bone damage lawsuit. The experienced lawyers and staff at the Kishish Law Group can explain your options and help you make an informed choice about your legal path forward. Our lawyers will listen to your story and assist you in securing your maximum available recovery for your injuries. If you or a loved one were prescribed and took a TDF drug and suffered kidney or bone damage, you may be able to recover costs associated with those injuries. Contact the Kishish Law Group today for your case evaluation by completing our contact form or by calling us toll free at 1 (888) 609-4664.

Last Modified: Aug 04, 2020

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Truvada Kidney and Bone Damage Lawsuit

What are TDF drugs?

What side effects have people reported?

What is the TDF drug lawsuit about?

Do I have a claim in the HIV/AIDS drug lawsuit?

Speak with a PrEP/TDF Lawyer

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