Truvada

In May of 2018, several lawsuits were filed against the manufacturer of Truvada, Gilead Sciences, Inc., over the marketing of the drug Truvada, alleging the medication causes permanent damage to kidney and bones. The lawsuit also alleges that Gilead suppressed a similar medication that achieved the same results but was far less toxic.

Truvada is a medication Human prescribed to treat Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV. In 2012, it became the very first drug approved by the FDA to be taken as a preventative measure in order to decrease the risk of HIV infection in those who are at higher risk for contracting the virus—more specifically, those who are likely to engage in sexual activity with those who are already infected with HIV. The drug is also prescribed to those who have HIV to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus to others.

Patient’s taking Truvada have an increased risk of developing kidney failure or other serious renal conditions. Where individuals with HIV are already prone to kidney conditions, those taking Truvada had a higher instance of kidney disease. In fact, a 2012 study found that patients taking Truvada had a 33% higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease.

A different study conducted in 2011 found that patients taking Truvada suffered more bone fractures than the untreated population. The study probed and found that those taking the drug suffered bone mineral density deterioration.

The lawsuits now pending allege one of Truvada’s active ingredients, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TFD) is the cause of the problems associated with the drug. The substance is highly toxic when administered in high does over a significant period of time. The lawsuits specifically allege the drug can causes an increased risk of bone density loss, bone fractures, renal impairment and kidney failure.