HIV PREP Drugs linked to Kidney Failure

Truvada and other antiretroviral drugs containing the ingredient Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF) increase the risk of bone density loss, renal impairment, fracture, and kidney failure

What are TDF HIV drugs?

Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate, or TDF, is the active ingredient in HIV drugs like Truvada to prevent people who are HIV-positive from developing AIDS and to prevent people who are not HIV-positive from contracting HIV — This use is known as pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEp.

TDF can be found in the following brands:

• Truvada

• Stribild

• Viread

• Complera

• Genvoya and

• Atripla

Was there an alternative for PREP?

The short answer is — Yes.

A safer version of Tenofovir, Tenofovir Alafenamide Fumarate or TAF, does not pose the sake risk for kidney damage and bone density loss but the drug maker, Gilead Sciences, Inc., resumed with using Truvada containing TDF — delaying TAF research to prolong it’s TDF containing drugs’ place in the market for HIV prevention drugs.

When Gilead first introduced TDF drug, Viread, into the market in 2001, the patent on the drug had just begun. So they made the decision to continue pushing TDF Drugs although TAF Drugs were a safer option. By doing this, Gilead was able to maximize their profit selling TDF Drugs for as long as possible before switching to TAF Drugs.

Now, Gilead Sciences, Inc., is being accused of increasing millions of peoples’ risk for developing serious or permanent injuries. Gilead is being accused of downplaying Truvada and TDF containing drugs’ side effects and making false claims regarding its safety.

TDF side effects

Truvada and other antiretroviral drugs containing TDF increase the risk of bone density loss, fracture, renal impairment, and kidney failure. Unfortunately since the drug is also used to treat HIV-positive people, those people were forced to suffer one or more of the following side effects”

• Nausea

• Abdominal Pain

• Stomach Pain

• Weight Loss

• Diarrhea

• Liver Problems

• Headache

• Dizziness

• Depression

• Muscle Pain

• Skin rashes

• Kidney Damage

• Renal Failure

• Lactic Acidosis

• Bone Density Loss — can lead to Osteoporosis

Gilead Sciences Inc., Responsible

Gilead did not announce TAF Drugs until 2010 — nearly 10 years after TDF Drugs were introduced and TAF Drugs were discovered. Gilead asked patients to switch from TDF drugs to their new TAF drugs but the damage was already done for some.

Lawsuits against Gilead claim they failed to warn doctors and patients on the dangerous side effects associated with TDF HIV Drugs and that they neglected their obligation to release the safe TAF HIV Drugs to the market.

Did you take TDF containing drugs and experience side effects?

People who take TDF-based HIV prevention drugs like Truvada may be eligible for compensation for the losses they sustained through no fault of their own. This includes:

• Medical expenses accrued

• Lost wages

• Pain and suffering

If you have taken TDF Drugs and believe you have developed osteoporosis or kidney problems, you should talk to a doctor to receive appropriate diagnosis and care. You should then consider talking to a lawyer. The experienced lawyers at Ron Austin Law have a proven record of getting results for victims of defective drugs. You can consult with someone today if you or a loved one has suffered from taking TDF Drugs for HIV management or prevention. Contact us today at 800-282-4199 or email us at info@ronaustinlaw.com.