Gilead Company Inc, a biopharmaceutical company, has been faced with hundreds of lawsuits over its anti-HIV drug Truvada, filed by users alleging the company failed to warn the public of the potential toxicity and severe side effects of the medication.
Truvada is an antiretroviral medication intended to treat viruses like HIV. The medication is a pill taken daily to help prevent HIV from developing into AIDS. Truvada can also be used for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), the practice of using antiretroviral drugs to help HIV-negative users reduce their risk of getting HIV-1 through sex.
Truvada was first introduced into the U.S. market in 2001. Although the product was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Gilead has since received warnings from the FDA about its failure to properly inform users of possible health risks and negative side effects. These may include:
- Kidney failure — Research shows that HIV patients who use Truvada have a higher risk of kidney failure, which may in turn cause heart attacks and other conditions.
- Osteoporosis — Truvada has also been shown to increase the risk of osteoporosis, a loss of bone density that increases the risk of broken bones and other problems.
- Severe liver disease — Truvada has been linked to severe liver disease and other problems. Symptoms may include loss of appetite, yellowed eyes, and dark urine.
- Lactic acidosis — Truvada may cause the body to produce excessive amounts of lactic acid, which can be damaging to internal organs.
- Hepatitis — For patients with Hepatitis B, Truvada can aggravate symptoms after they cease taking the medication.
- Other side effects — In addition to severe medical complications, Truvada can cause depression, insomnia and an unsettled stomach.
Most of the Truvada product liability lawsuits are pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The plaintiffs claim that Gilead knew about the possibility of severe side effects like kidney failure and osteoporosis but withheld this information from the public to increase profits.
If you or someone you care about has experienced health problems after taking Truvada, you may be able to join these plaintiffs and recover damages for medical bills, lost wages and overall pain and suffering. At Kaufman & McPherson, PLLC, we have more than 30 years of experience helping West Virginians obtain compensation for injuries caused by dangerous products. For a free case evaluation, reach our Bridgeport office at 304-842-4300 or contact us online.
