Truvada Kidney Injury Lawsuit: Seeking Compensation for Renal Damage

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If you took Truvada for HIV treatment or prevention and developed kidney problems, you may have the right to pursue compensation from Gilead Sciences for failing to warn about serious renal risks.

Thousands of people nationwide who used Truvada’s older formulation (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)) have filed lawsuits alleging the drug caused kidney failure, chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, and Fanconi syndrome. For years, Gilead marketed TDF-based Truvada while possessing a safer alternative formulation (TAF) that caused less kidney damage.

Kidney damage is serious. It affects your ability to work, your long-term health, and your quality of life. Many Truvada users now face dialysis, transplant waiting lists, or permanent renal impairment. At Ferrer Poirot Feller, we represent individuals harmed by Truvada’s nephrotoxic effects. Our attorneys are here to help you understand what happened, gather the medical evidence proving your case, and hold Gilead accountable.

Call Ferrer Poirot Feller today at (214) 521-4412 for a free, confidential case evaluation. You won’t pay anything unless we win your case.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Key Facts About Truvada Kidney Injury Lawsuits

• Truvada contains tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), a formulation known to cause kidney toxicity at higher rates than newer alternatives
• Gilead had a safer alternative (TAF) in development, but delayed its release, continuing to market TDF-based Truvada despite kidney risks
• Common kidney injuries include acute kidney injury (AKI), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and Fanconi syndrome, a rare disorder causing kidney tubule damage and phosphate wasting
• Lab markers proving kidney damage include elevated serum creatinine, declining estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), proteinuria, and low phosphate levels
• Lawsuits are individual product liability claims, not class actions, meaning your compensation depends on your specific injuries and damages

Why Hire Ferrer Poirot Feller for Your Truvada Kidney Injury Claim

Truvada kidney cases require attorneys who understand nephrotoxicity, can interpret complex lab results, and know how to prove pharmaceutical companies knew about risks but failed to warn adequately. These aren’t simple cases. You’ll need to establish that TDF caused your kidney damage, gather years of medical records and lab work, and counter defense arguments about other potential causes.

At Ferrer Poirot Feller, we’ve represented injured people in pharmaceutical litigation nationwide for more than 35 years. We work with nephrologists, toxicologists, and pharmacologists who can review your creatinine levels, eGFR trends, and kidney biopsy results to establish causation. We understand the medical terminology in your nephrology records and know which evidence strengthens your case.

Our lawyers understand what Truvada users have been through. Many took this medication to protect their health or prevent HIV infection, trusting Gilead’s assurances about safety. Discovering that the drug damaged your kidneys, especially learning that a safer version existed, adds injury to betrayal.

Time matters. Kidney damage can progress, and statutes of limitations vary by state. Call our Truvada litigation attorneys today at (214) 521-4412 for a free consultation.

The Link Between Truvada TDF and Kidney Damage

Truvada contains two antiretroviral medications: emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). TDF is the component responsible for kidney toxicity. When TDF is metabolized, it accumulates in kidney tubule cells at concentrations far higher than in blood plasma. This accumulation causes direct toxicity to renal tubular cells, leading to various forms of kidney damage.

The nephrotoxic effects of TDF include:

• Acute kidney injury (AKI), sudden loss of kidney function requiring immediate medical intervention and sometimes temporary dialysis
• Chronic kidney disease (CKD), progressive long-term kidney damage that reduces filtration capacity and might lead to end-stage renal disease
• Fanconi syndrome, rare but serious proximal tubule dysfunction causing the kidneys to waste phosphate, glucose, amino acids, and bicarbonate
• Renal tubular acidosis, impaired acid excretion leading to metabolic acidosis
• Proteinuria, protein leaking into urine indicating kidney filter damage
• Declining eGFR, reduced glomerular filtration rate showing progressive loss of kidney function

Clinical studies documented these risks. Research published in medical journals showed TDF users experienced kidney problems at significantly higher rates than users of other antiretroviral regimens. Kidney biopsies from Truvada patients revealed characteristic patterns of tubular damage consistent with drug-induced nephrotoxicity.

Despite this evidence, Gilead continued marketing TDF-based Truvada for years after developing a safer alternative formulation using tenofovir alafenamide (TAF). TAF achieves similar antiviral efficacy with much lower drug concentrations in the kidneys, resulting in substantially reduced nephrotoxicity. Yet Gilead delayed releasing TAF-based medications, allowing TDF products to remain the standard treatment even as patients suffered preventable kidney damage.

Do You Qualify for a Truvada Kidney Injury Lawsuit?

You may have a valid claim if:

• You took Truvada (or generic TDF tenofovir) for HIV treatment or PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis)
• You developed kidney problems including elevated creatinine, reduced eGFR, acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, Fanconi syndrome, or renal failure
• Your kidney function declined during or after Truvada use, documented through lab tests
• You required dialysis, kidney transplant, or ongoing nephrology care due to kidney damage
• Your state’s statute of limitations hasn’t expired for your potential claim

You don’t need perfect documentation before reaching out. We help gather medical records, pharmacy histories, and lab results that prove your case.

How Do I Prove Truvada Caused My Kidney Damage?

Building a strong Truvada kidney injury case requires medical documentation establishing three key points: you took Truvada, you developed kidney damage, and the timing and pattern of damage connect to TDF use.

Essential evidence may include:

• Laboratory Results. Serial creatinine and eGFR measurements showing kidney function before, during, and after Truvada use. Progressive increases in creatinine or decreases in eGFR during treatment strengthen causation arguments. Phosphate levels, urinalysis results, and other kidney function markers also matter.
• Prescription and Pharmacy Records. Documentation showing when you started Truvada, what dosage you took, and how long you used it. Pharmacy records often show fill dates and refill patterns establishing duration of exposure.
• Medical Records. Nephrology evaluations, hospital records for acute kidney injury, dialysis treatment notes, and doctor’s assessments linking kidney problems to TDF use. Records documenting when kidney damage was first detected and how it progressed are particularly valuable.
• Kidney Biopsy Results. If you underwent kidney biopsy, pathology reports showing tubular damage consistent with drug-induced nephrotoxicity provide strong evidence.
• Diagnostic Imaging. Ultrasounds, CT scans, or other imaging documenting kidney size, structure, or abnormalities.
• Documentation Ruling Out Other Causes. Records showing you didn’t have pre-existing kidney disease, uncontrolled diabetes, untreated hypertension, or other conditions that commonly cause kidney damage help establish TDF as the cause.
• Expert witnesses, like nephrologists and pharmacologists, can review this evidence and provide testimony explaining how TDF caused your specific kidney injuries.

Is There a Truvada Settlement Yet?

As of November 2025, there is no global settlement in the Truvada kidney injury lawsuits. Thousands of individual cases remain active in both federal and state courts. The federal lawsuits are consolidated in the TDF Products Liability Litigation in the Northern District of California, with over 26,000 pending cases. Additionally, more than 24,000 cases proceed in California state courts in a coordinated proceeding.

In 2024, Gilead Sciences agreed to pay $40 million to resolve approximately 2,625 federal claims in an MDL settlement. 

The court ruled in 2025 that failure-to-warn and design defect claims can proceed, rejecting Gilead’s defense of federal preemption. Several bellwether trials are set for mid-2026 to test key issues and help guide future settlements.

Settlement talks continue intermittently, but no comprehensive, global resolution has been announced. Each plaintiff retains an individual claim and right to compensation based on their injuries, medical costs, and lost income.

The California Supreme Court is reviewing state law questions affecting the litigation’s future, such as whether plaintiffs must prove the original drug was defective or if evidence of withholding safer alternatives is sufficient.

This updated summary reflects the latest developments through late 2025 in Truvada kidney injury lawsuits and settlement status.

How Much Is a Truvada Kidney Injury Case Worth?

The value of Truvada kidney injury cases varies significantly based on several factors:

• Severity of Kidney Damage: Cases involving end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis or transplant may result in higher compensation than mild chronic kidney disease managed with medication and monitoring.
• Medical Expenses: Past and future costs, including nephrology care, dialysis, medications, hospitalizations, lab monitoring, and potential transplant surgery.
• Lost Income and Earning Capacity: Compensation for time missed from work due to kidney problems, dialysis schedules, or permanent disability preventing you from working in your previous capacity.
• Pain and Suffering: Physical discomfort from kidney disease, dialysis, and related complications.
• Loss of Quality of Life: Dietary restrictions, dialysis dependence, activity limitations, and the overall impact of kidney disease on daily living.
• Punitive Damages: In some jurisdictions, juries might award punitive damages if evidence shows Gilead acted with willful disregard for patient safety.

Cases involving dialysis-dependent kidney failure or transplant needs might result in settlements or verdicts in the hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. Cases with less severe but still significant kidney damage—moderate CKD requiring ongoing care—typically settle for lower amounts but still substantial compensation.

What’s the Statute of Limitations for Truvada Lawsuits?

Statutes of limitations vary by state, typically ranging from one to six years. The clock usually starts when you were diagnosed with kidney damage or reasonably should have discovered the connection between Truvada and your kidney problems, not necessarily when you first took the medication.

Some states apply “discovery rules” that delay the limitations period until you knew or should have known that Truvada caused your injuries. This can be complex, particularly if kidney damage developed gradually or wasn’t immediately linked to TDF use.

Because deadlines vary and missing them permanently bars your claim, contact a drug injury attorney as soon as possible after being diagnosed with kidney problems related to Truvada. Even if years have passed since you stopped taking the medication, you might still be within the limitations period if your kidney damage was diagnosed recently or if you only recently learned of the connection to TDF.

Is This a Class Action or Individual Product Liability Case?

Truvada kidney injury lawsuits are individual product liability claims, not class actions. Each plaintiff has unique kidney damage, medical history, and damages. Your compensation is determined by your specific injuries and losses, not by a group average.

While some cases have been consolidated for pretrial efficiency, you maintain individual control over your case. You decide whether to accept settlement offers, and your attorney advocates specifically for your interests.

This individual approach typically benefits plaintiffs because compensation reflects the actual severity of your kidney damage rather than being diluted across a large class with varying injury levels.

What to Expect When Filing a Truvada Kidney Injury Lawsuit

Filing a Truvada kidney injury claim starts with evaluating whether your kidney damage connects to TDF use and gathering the medical evidence that proves it. At Ferrer Poirot Feller, we start with a complimentary consultation, where you share your experience, and we explain the legal process.

Gathering Your Medical Evidence

Your Truvada litigation lawyer obtains your lab results showing creatinine and eGFR trends, nephrology records, prescription and pharmacy histories, and documentation of kidney damage severity. This creates a clear timeline demonstrating how your kidney function changed during and after Truvada use.

Working With Medical Experts

We consult with nephrologists and toxicologists who review your specific case, interpret your lab results, and explain to the court how TDF caused your kidney damage. These experts help establish medical causation and counter defense arguments about alternative causes.

Filing and Litigation

Once our injury attorneys have built a strong foundation, we file your claim in the appropriate court. We manage legal communications and proceedings, so you’re never dealing directly with Gilead’s legal teams.

While many cases settle, we prepare every claim as if it will go to trial. You’ll stay informed throughout, with direct access to our team whenever questions arise.

FAQ About Truvada Kidney Injury Lawsuits

Contact Ferrer Poirot Feller for a Free Case Evaluation

If you developed kidney problems after taking Truvada for HIV treatment or prevention, you may have the right to hold Gilead Sciences accountable.

At Ferrer Poirot Feller, we represent people across the country who’ve been harmed by pharmaceutical products they trusted. Our Truvada litigation attorneys offer free, no-obligation consultations, where you can speak directly with us, ask questions, and gain a clear understanding of your legal options.

You won’t pay us unless we recover compensation for you. That’s our promise and our commitment to standing up for those who’ve been harmed by corporate negligence.

Call us today at (214) 521-4412 to schedule your free case evaluation. Your fight is our fight.

Schedule a Free Consultation

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Ferrer Poirot Feller – Office

2603 Oak Lawn Ave #300,

Dallas, TX 75219

Phone: (214) 521-4655