HIV and STD Prevention Medications May Cause Kidney Disease and Bone Loss
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medications are part of a class of drugs designed to prevent people from contracting HIV and other STDs when taken daily. However, daily doses of PrEP medications are linked to numerous health problems, including:
- Increased risk of kidney disease
- Increased risk of kidney failure
- Reduced bone density, especially around the spine and hip
- Osteoporosis
Studies link high levels of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, the primary ingredient in many PrEP medications, with the health problems listed above. People who take the recommended daily dosage of PrEP medication, especially those who are 50 or older and who have pre-existing kidney and bone issues, are among the most vulnerable to serious side effects.
Multiple PrEP Drugs Are Linked to Kidney and Bone Problems
There are multiple PrEP drugs on the market that are linked to kidney and bone problems, including:
- Truvada (emtricitabine/tenofovir)
- Atripla (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir)
- Viread (tenofovir)
- Stribild (elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir)
- Complera (rilpivirine/emtricitabine/tenofovir)
If you or someone you love took or currently takes any of the PrEP medications listed above and were diagnosed with kidney disease, kidney failure, bone loss, or osteoporosis, you may be eligible for compensation. The drug injury lawyers at Ferrer Poirot Feller want to speak with you. We’ll do everything in our power to help you get compensation.
Be on the Lookout for These Symptoms if You Take a PrEP Medication
PrEP-related kidney and bone problems aren’t always immediately obvious. If you take a PrEP medication, be on the lookout for the following symptoms:
Kidney disease symptoms
- Shortness of breath
- Itching and swelling
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weakness, confusion, and trouble thinking clearly
- Changes in urination frequency
Bone loss symptoms
- Pain in joints and extremities
- Instability when walking and standing
- Reduced mobility
- Fractures
What Actions Have Been Taken Against PrEP Manufacturers?
Gilead Sciences, Inc., manufactures Truvada and many other PrEP medications. The company is accused of withholding a safer and more effective version of PrEP drugs while waiting for patents to expire in an effort to maximize profits. A lawsuit filed in San Francisco alleged that Gilead Sciences developed a version of its PrEP medication in 2004 with a different active ingredient that didn’t cause complications such as kidney and bone problems.
However, the lawsuit goes on to allege that Gilead Sciences discontinued work on the safer medication until the patent for the original medication expired in 2015, putting potentially thousands of users at risk for kidney disease and bone loss issues. In addition, Gilead Sciences may have withheld clinical trial results from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indicating the dangers that its PrEP medications pose to patients, including the risk of causing kidney and bone loss complications.
In March 2020, a California federal judge issued a ruling that prevented Gilead Sciences and other drug companies from avoiding litigation for delaying generic competition to their HIV drug. The case dismissed by the judge was one of several lawsuits against Gilead Sciences. The good news for those taking legal action against Gilead is that the company could still be held accountable for the harm they’ve caused those who desperately needed this medication.
What Compensation Is Available for People Harmed by PrEP Medications?
The expenses associated with kidney disease, kidney failure, bone loss, and osteoporosis can be financially devastating for patients, especially if their conditions prevent them from working.
The drug injury lawyers at Ferrer Poirot Feller work hard to help victims recover compensation for things like:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Current and future lost wages
- Physical rehabilitation and therapy
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
Harmed by a PrEP Medication? You Deserve Experienced Legal Representation
When drug manufacturers hide data from the FDA or knowingly put patients at risk of serious health problems to maximize their profits, we believe they should be held accountable for their actions.
If you or someone you love took Truvada, Atripla, Viread, Stribild, Complera, or any other PrEP medication and suffered health problems, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation to find out how the drug injury attorneys at Ferrer Poirot Feller can help.
Truvada, Atripla, Viread, Stribild, and Complera are registered trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., and are used here only to identify the products in question.
Ferrer Poirot Feller is not associated with, sponsored by, or affiliated with Gilead Sciences, Inc., or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Do not stop taking a prescription medication without first consulting with your doctor. Discontinuing a prescribed medication without your doctor’s advice can result in injury or death.
Cases may be referred to another attorney or law firm.