TDF drugs can cause serious harm when taken for HIV or hepatitis B

Kidneys and Bones HIV Drug Side Effects: Who Affects It?

The lawsuits against Gilead Sciences say the pharmaceutical company delayed the release of a safer HIV/hepatitis B drug to prolong its profits from TDF drugs like Truvada. In doing so, Gilead allegedly subjected patients to serious harm, including bone damage and kidney injury such as:

• Acute kidney injury
• Bone fractures
• Loss of bone mineral density
• Chronic kidney disease
• End-stage renal disease
• Fanconi syndrome
• Kidney failure
• Osteoporosis
• Renal failure/damage
• Tooth loss

Gilead sells several TDF drugs including Viread, Truvada, Atripla, Complera and Stribild. (A TDF drug is an antiviral drug made from tenofovir disoproxil fumarate.) Patients who have taken these drugs and subsequently develop kidney problems or bone lesions may be able to take legal action. A TDF drug lawsuit may be able to help recover compensation for medical expenses, permanent disability, loss of earning capacity, and more.

Truvada, TDF drugs: overview

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is a drug used to treat HIV and hepatitis B. TDF can also be used to prevent HIV or hepatitis B infections in high-risk individuals.

TDF drugs are almost always used in combination with other drugs. The drugs are sold under various brand names, including:

• Viread (TDF)
• Truvada (TDF/emtricitabine)
• Atripla (TDF/efavirenz/emtricitabine)
• Complera (TDF/emtricitabine/rilpivirine)
• Stribild (TDF/elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine)

According to HIV.gov, TDF drugs are associated with serious and potentially life-threatening side effects including lactic acidosis (the build-up of lactic acid in the blood), liver problems and kidney failure. These drugs can also cause immune system changes and bone problems such as:

• Acute kidney injury
• Bone fractures
• Loss of bone mineral density
• Chronic kidney disease
• End-stage renal disease
• Fanconi syndrome
• Kidney failure
• Osteoporosis
• Renal failure/damage
• Tooth loss

While these side effects are serious and potentially life-threatening, many HIV and hepatitis B patients have had no choice but to take these medications to control their viral infections. The side effects of the drug TDF can be considered the lesser of two evils when you compare kidney and bone problems with the life-threatening symptoms of HIV and hepatitis B.

Unfortunately, according to recent allegations, makers of TDF drugs such as Gilead Sciences may have intentionally delayed the development of safer and more effective treatments for HIV and hepatitis B to prolong their patent profits.

TDF vs. TAF lawsuits

Second lawsuits against Gilead Sciences, the pharmaceutical company, which made billions selling Viread, Truvada, Atripla, Complera and Stribild, knew the TDF drugs were toxic to patients’ kidneys and bones. Despite this knowledge, Gilead reportedly declined to research a safer alternative, tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF).

Unlike TDF, TAF is effective at much lower doses, reducing the risk of serious side effects, such as bone damage and kidney problems. Plaintiffs in the Truvada lawsuit say Gilead knew TAF was safer and more effective than TDF, but shelved research on the drug to prolong profits from TDF’s patent.

Gilead intentionally rejected a safer alternative design of TDF drugs that it knew were dangerously toxic to patients’ kidneys and bones, without adequately warning of the risks and safer use of the flawed drugs, just to make more money, lawsuit claims TF extension.

Plaintiffs in one cause they claim to have suffered severe consequences due to Gilead’s greed. One plaintiff allegedly suffered bone demineralization after taking TDF drugs, which ultimately led to him needing a hip replacement. Another plaintiff suffered bone damage and kidney failure from TDF drugs.

Participate in an HIV drug injury lawsuit investigation

Patients who have taken Gileads TDF drugs and subsequently develop kidney problems or bone injuries may be able to file a lawsuit and recover compensation for medical expenses, permanent disability, loss of earning capacity, and more.

Gilead sells several TDF drugs including:

• Viread (TDF)
• Truvada (TDF/emtricitabine)
• Atripla (TDF/efavirenz/emtricitabine)
• Complera (TDF/emtricitabine/rilpivirine)
• Stribild (TDF/elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine)

If you or a loved one has developed kidney or bone problems after taking any of the TDF drugs listed above, you may qualify to participate in this Truvada side effects survey.