On this page we will look at who qualifies to file a Truvada lawsuit. We will summarize the basic eligibility criteria that our firm is applying to screen potential Truvada lawsuits; and we will describe the relevant injuries being alleged in the Truvada cases.
What Are the Truvada Lawsuits About?
Truvada is a prescription drug used for the treatment and prevention of HIV. It helps to control the HIV virus and prevent it from being transmitted to partners. The active ingredient in Truvada is tenofovir disoproxil fumarate or “TDF” which was developed by Truvada’s manufacturer, Gilead Pharmaceuticals.
When Truvada was first released in the U.S., it contained a very soft warning about potential health effects of the drug. Fairly soon, however, it started to become apparent that the health impacts of Truvada were far more common and substantially more damaging than Gilead originally indicated. Use of Truvada proved to be very harmful to both the kidneys and the bones.
Gilead was well aware of these issues, and before Truvada was even approved by the FDA it had already started developing a newer, safer alternative. In fact, not long after Truvada was released on the market, Gilead had finished development of a new drug that had the same benefits as Truvada but with less harmful health impacts. Instead of immediately releasing this new drug, however, Gilead intentionally delayed its release until the patent on Truvada was about to run out.
About 6 years ago, individuals who took Truvada and suffered bone or kidney damage began filing Truvada lawsuits against Gilead. The Truvada lawsuits allege that Gilead’s initial warnings for Truvada were entirely inadequate because they grossly undersold the level of harm the drug posed to patients. The Truvada lawsuits also assert claims against Gilead for deliberately slow walking the release of the newer, safer alternative drug which put profit ahead of patient safety.
Who is Eligible to File a Truvada Lawsuit?
In order to be eligible to file a Truvada lawsuit and participate in any global settlement, potential claimants need to meet certain requirements. The basic eligibility requirements our firm uses are as follows:
6 Months Use of Truvada: All prospective Truvada plaintiffs must start by establishing that that used Truvada (as prescribed) on regular basis for a period of at least 6 months. Keep in mind that this is the minimum use period and individuals with longer use times will have stronger claims.
Qualifying Injury: To qualify for a Truvada lawsuit, potential plaintiffs must show that at some point AFTER their 6 months of using Truvada, they suffered one of the 2 qualifying injuries: (1) kidney damage, or (2) bone damage from loss of bone density.
Injuries Associated With Truvada
There are basically 2 types of injuries that are associated with use of Truvada: (1) kidney damage; and (2) loss of bone density. Each of these is discussed below.
Kidney Damage from Truvada
There is a wealth of scientific evidence showing that using Truvada causes damage to the kidneys. In fact, Gilead admitted that this was a potential side effect in the original warning label for Truvada. The problem is that the extent of kidney damage caused by Truvada went well beyond what Gilead disclosed. There are essentially 3 different kidney injuries associated with Truvada.
Acute Kidney Failure
Acute kidney failure, also known as acute kidney injury (AKI), is a sudden and rapid decline in kidney function. This condition can occur over a few hours or days and is characterized by a sudden inability of the kidneys to effectively filter waste products and excess fluids from the blood. As a result, these waste products and fluids can build up in the body, leading to various complications.
The symptoms of acute kidney failure can include decreased urine output, swelling (particularly in the legs and ankles), fatigue, shortness of breath, confusion, and nausea. Diagnosis is typically based on blood and urine tests that assess kidney function.
Acute kidney failure is typically reversible if detected and treated promptly. In severe cases, dialysis may be necessary to help the kidneys perform their function until they recover.
Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a long-term condition characterized by the gradual loss of kidney function over time. The kidneys play a crucial role in filtering waste and excess fluids from the blood, regulating electrolyte balance, and producing hormones that contribute to the regulation of blood pressure and the production of red blood cells. In CKD, the kidneys become progressively damaged, leading to a decline in their ability to perform these essential functions.
CKD is typically classified into five stages, with Stage 1 being the mildest and Stage 5 representing the most severe form. The classification is based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which measures how well the kidneys are filtering waste from the blood.
In the early stages of CKD, individuals may not experience noticeable symptoms. As the condition progresses, symptoms may include fatigue, weakness, swelling (edema), changes in urination patterns, difficulty concentrating, and anemia.
Chronic kidney disease can lead to various complications, such as cardiovascular disease, anemia, bone disorders, and electrolyte imbalances. In severe cases, CKD may progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), where the kidneys are no longer able to function adequately to sustain life.
Fanconi Syndrome
Fanconi syndrome is a rare disorder that affects the kidneys’ ability to reabsorb certain substances into the bloodstream, leading to their excessive excretion in the urine. These substances include electrolytes (such as sodium, potassium, and phosphate), amino acids, glucose, and bicarbonate.
Fanconi syndrome primarily involves dysfunction of the renal tubules, which are structures in the kidneys responsible for reabsorbing various substances from the urine back into the bloodstream. Chronic Fanconi syndrome can contribute to bone problems, including rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults, due to impaired phosphate reabsorption. This is a particular concern for individuals using Truvada because it also reduces bone density.
Loss of Bone Density
In addition to kidney damage, bone damage from loss of bone mineral density is the other major injury associated with Truvada. Studies have shown that prolonged use of Truvada can accelerate a decline in bone density (a symptom often associated with HIV). This sudden loss of bone density from Truvada can lead to a variety of complications such as an increased risk of bone fractures.
Bone density loss from Truvada can also lead to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a medical condition characterized by weakened bones, making them more prone to fractures and breaks. It occurs when the density and quality of bone are reduced. Bones naturally go through a continuous process of remodeling—old bone tissue is broken down, and new bone tissue is formed. In osteoporosis, this balance is disrupted, leading to a net loss of bone mass.
Contact Us About Truvada Lawsuits
If you think you have a Truvada lawsuit, contact our lawyers today for a free case review. Call us at 888-310-3020 or contact us online.