Our firm is investigating serious injuries caused by the HIV drug Truvada. Manufactured by Gilead Sciences, a long-time leader in HIV treatments, Truvada is an anti-retroval drug that combines tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (“TDF”) with Emtricitabine (Emtriva/Coviracil). Over 80% of HIV sufferers take some form of “TDF” as part of their regular HIV treatment or prevention regimen.
The problem? Gilead had developed an alternative, safer HIV drug formulation than Truvada as early as 2001 known as tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (“TAF”), but intentionally delayed releasing it despite knowing it had a lower risk of causing injuries than Truvada! “TAF” drugs (Genvoya, Odefsey, Descovy, Biktarvy, Symtuza & Vemlidy) only require about 1/10th the dosage “TDF’s” do, which means less chances of kidney or bone injury since less of the drug is being introduced into the body and absorbed into the users kidneys and bones. Nonetheless, the safer “TAF” formulation sat on a shelf somewhere, unavailable to HIV sufferers. Gilead only released the safer “TAF” drug when their patent on Truvada expired in 2017!
Why? Until the patent expired Gilead had a monopoly on HIV treatment and prevention with Truvada, generating revenue of around $10 billion a year – $18 billion in 2015 alone.
The result? HIV patients have unnecessarily suffered kidney and bone. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has sent warning letters to Gilead, rebuking them for falsely promoting Truvada as ‘nontoxic’ and intentionally downplaying its side effects to prescribing physicians; going so far as to represent the drug was extremely safe and had no toxicities. More than 650 Truvada-related deaths have been reported to the FDA since the drug was release in 2004.
Gilead is finally facing accountability. The company recently announced that three senior executives were leaving the company: Gregg Alton, Chief Patient Officer, John McHutchison, M.D., Chief Scientific Officer, and Katie Watson, Executive VP (Human Resources).
We are examining cases involving the following Truvada-related kidney and bone injuries:
- Kidney Impairment, Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and/or Acute Renal Failure (ARF)
- Fanconi Syndrome
- Renal Tubular Dysfunction
- Ostoepenia, Osteomalacia or Osteoporosis (decreased bone density)
- Bone Fractures
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with any of these ailments after taking Truvada, contact us online or call us at 1-866-252-3535.
Do not stop taking any medication without consulting your healthcare provider.