Truvada Lawsuit: A Comprehensive Guide (2024)

What is the Truvada Lawsuit?

With more than 1 million people in the United States living with HIV, according to statistics provided by AIDSVU, there is always an ongoing search for an HIV cure. For decades, medications like Truvada have been a beacon of hope for people with HIV. After all, having an oral drug that can treat and prevent the potentially deadly virus can be quite promising.

The History of Truvada

Truvada is manufactured and sold by Gilead Sciences, which is one of the leading biopharmaceutical companies that develop antiviral drugs used to treat influence, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, and even COVID-19. Truvada, which was first released in 2004, is an oral prescription medicine that combines two HIV medications:

• tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF).

• emtricitabine (FTC).

The combination of these two medications treats HIV by blocking an enzyme that prevents the infection from multiplying and reduces the risk of contracting HIV in the first place. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Truvada as an HIV treatment in February 2004, according to the FDA’s website. In 2012, the drug was approved by the FDA for prevention of HIV.

How Does Truvada Work?

HIV cells cannot grow and multiply in the human body if they do not have a specific enzyme called HIV-1-Protease. When tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), an active ingredient in Truvada, is absorbed by HIV cells, it blocks the ability of these cells to use HIV-1-Protease to replicate in the body. This essentially stops HIV from multiplying and progressing to an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Truvada Side Effects

TDF, which blocks the replication of HIV cells in the human body, has been linked to a number of side effects that vary in severity from minor to life-threatening. A 2020 study published in the National Library of Medicine showed that the use of TDF, which is found in Truvada, can cause a great decrease in bone mineral density in patients. Other studies have also linked the use of HIV medications that contain TDF with an increased risk of kidney problems, including:

• Acute kidney injury (AKI)

• Chronic kidney disease (CKD)

• End-stage renal disease (ESRD)

• Kidney or renal failure

• Renal insufficiency or impairment

• Fanconi syndrome

Who Can File a Truvada Lawsuit?

You may be eligible to sue Gilead Sciences for the side effects experienced due to the use of Truvada if you can prove that the manufacturer was negligent or breached the drug’s warranty. Plaintiffs in a typical Truvada lawsuit claim that Gilead Sciences was aware or should have been aware that the active ingredient in the medication – TDF – was toxic in the recommended dosage and increased the risk of suffering permanent and potentially life-threatening damage to the bones and/or kidneys.

Do I Have a Viable Lawsuit Against Gilead Sciences?

At this point, it remains unclear how judges and juries in a Truvada class action lawsuit would rule or what Truvada lawsuit settlement amounts would be available to the plaintiffs if they succeed. While Gilead Sciences warned consumers of the possible risk of kidney problems and loss of bone density, the manufacturer included them in the long list of side effects instead of identifying them as likely dangers. Many plaintiffs allege that Gilead Sciences deliberately minimized what it knew to be significant risks.

Truvada Lawsuit Eligibility & Requirements

For many, the unfolding of this legal battle raises a pressing question: "Do I qualify to be part of this lawsuit?" Understanding the criteria and the steps involved is essential for those who believe they might have been adversely affected by Truvada.

Criteria for Eligibility:

Usage of Truvada or Related Medications

One of the primary qualifiers is having taken Truvada or other HIV medications containing Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), such as Viread, Atripla, Complera, or Stribild.

Medical Complications

If after taking the medication, you or a loved one experienced severe side effects like kidney issues, bone density reduction, fractures, or other related health problems, you might be eligible.

Timing

The duration between the consumption of the drug and the onset of side effects can be crucial in establishing a direct link between the medication and the adverse effects.

Medical Records

Having medical documentation that validates the injuries or health issues and correlates them with the consumption of Truvada can strengthen a potential claim.

Non-Disclosure

If you were not adequately informed about the potential risks associated with Truvada or were unaware of the alleged safer alternatives, this could play a role in your eligibility.

If you were diagnosed with any of these conditions after taking Truvada, you may be entitled to financial compensation by pursuing an individual Truvada lawsuit against Gilead Sciences or joining an existing Truvada class action lawsuit. ConsumerShield can provide you with the guidance you need to understand your legal rights and options for Truvada litigation.