HIV medication linked to bone, kidney damage

Gilead Sciences, a biotechnology company that researches, develops and commercializes pharmaceuticals, has been accused of not advising consumers of the potential risks and side effects of its HIV medication.

Patients are claiming that the HIV medication tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) caused them to suffer injuries such as loss of bone density or kidney disease.

"TDF-based HIV medications are thought to cause long-term damage to the kidneys and bones. It's now known that TDF can cause buildup of lactic acid in the blood, liver problems, and new or increased kidney problems that can lead to kidney failure," said attorney Whitney Butcher, a partner at Whitley Law Firm in Raleigh.

Butcher works primarily with the firm's dangerous drug and defective medical device practice area.

"Gilead continued to produce these drugs without warning patients of these potential side effects that could cause permanent harm or even death," she continued.

TDF is the main ingredient of well-known name brand drugs such as Truvada, Viread, Complera, Atripla and Stribild. TDF's drug patent expired after a newer, safer alternative HIV drug known as tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) came onto the market.

The Food and Drug Administration approved the TDF-based HIV treatment in 2001. It was meant to work in tandem with another HIV treatment option to prevent the virus from multiplying. However, the FDA later approved the TAF-based HIV treatment in 2015, which had a lower dose and a lower risk of side effects compared to the TDF treatment.

Nationwide lawsuits have been filed by more than 130 patients in 12 states claiming Gilead withheld the TAF-based treatment in favor of the TDF treatment, even after TDF's patent expired to continue making revenue. However, it is speculated the reach could be much wider and thousands of other individuals may have been unknowingly subjected to severe side effects of TDF medications.

Lawsuit patients have filed personal injury claims that include:

"Patients who are part of this lawsuit who took this TDF medication stated that there was a safer alternative available. They claim that Gilead knew about this alternative but continued to risk the potentially fatal side effects of TDF despite knowing about its toxicity in favor of maximizing their company profits," Butcher said. "TAF does not have the same dangerous side effects that are seen in TDF and even existed in Gilead laboratories. These lawsuit claims against the company say that Gilead stalled research and production of TAF-based drugs so that they could release the drug after their patent on TDF expired. This is unacceptable."

While there is no cure for HIV/AIDS, there are drugs on the market that are used by patients who are suffering from HIV/AIDS to manage their illness and pain. Every patient has the right to safe medicine and should be made aware of any potential risks or side effects associated with the medication.

If you or a loved one has suffered from bone density loss, kidney disease or other complications due to Gilead-produced TDF medications, you may be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering.

Concerned patients should seek out the counsel of a legal representative.