Truvada: Important Information to Note

In March 2021, approximately 38 million people were living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Unfortunately, this number continues to grow as the world advances, and there is no sign of a permanent solution to the virus. As a result, doctors mainly prescribe the drug for PrEP to people who do not have HIV but risk contracting the virus.

For instance, a doctor might give Truvada to an HIV-negative individual but whose sexual partner is HIV-positive. This article will be addressing some issues regarding the drug. Consequently, it will help you in making an informed decision as to whether you want to go ahead with using the drug or not.

It will also help you determine if you have been a victim of Truvada’s adverse side effects. If you or anyone you know suffers from the drug’s adverse effects, you should contact a skilled mass tort lawyer.

Truvada and Its Side Effects

PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. The major PrEP drug brand is Truvada. The drug’s generic name is emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF).  It is a highly effective pill to reduce the risk of HIV-negative individuals getting the virus. If the patients meant to use the drug use it correctly, there would be a significant drop in HIV-positive cases.

As we mentioned earlier, people use this medication once daily to prevent HIV infection. Those who are at risk of contracting HIV include sexually active individuals and intravenous drug users.  In addition to being used for HIV prevention, the drug is also used to treat HIV infections, especially when combined with other drugs.

As with other drugs, Truvada has its side effects. Although these side effects are usually mild and last for a few days or weeks, you still need to familiarize yourself with the results. These side effects include:

  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Back pain

What Is a Truvada Lawsuit?

Due to recent developments, Truvada has been in the news for specific legal issues. Truvada lawsuits claim that the PrEP drug is capable of causing kidney problems and bone loss. Although it is normal for HIV drugs to have side effects, manufacturers need to warn users about the risks.

Unfortunately, Gilead Inc., a major manufacturer of PrEP medications, failed in its responsibility to inform users about these potentially fatal risks of the drug. Additionally, there are claims that Gilead withheld safer alternatives to Truvada. The claims state that they hid these alternatives because the drug was more profitable in the market.

When filing a Truvada lawsuit, you need to gather several documents. Your attorney can help you in getting these documents. Below are a few of the necessary documents for your case:

  • Evidence that you indeed took Truvada
  • Medical reports stating your injuries and medical treatments
  • Receipts for your medications and purchase of medical devices
  • Pictorial representation of your injuries

Are There Alternatives to Truvada?

As a result of the current adverse legal circumstances surrounding Truvada, people have started looking for alternatives to the PrEP drug. Descovy (emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide) is another PrEP drug that people use. It is one of the best alternatives to the drug.

For a very long time, Truvada was the only drug approved by the FDA for pre-exposure prophylaxis. However, in 2019, the FDA approved Descovy for PrEP. Descovy, like Truvada, works as a Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor (NRTI). This means the drug prevents new viruses from forming and replicating.

In comparison to Truvada, the tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) in Descovy has higher plasma stability. This makes TAF more effective in dealing with higher concentrations in HIV-infected cells. Furthermore, while Truvada has more adverse effects on the patient’s kidney function and bone density, Descovy has had no such reports. This makes Descovy a safer alternative to Truvada.

Contact a Mass Tort Attorney From Rueb Stoller Daniel to File a Truvada Lawsuit  

We understand how devastating it can be to find out that a drug supposed to improve your health makes an even bigger mess on your physical health. This is why we provide our clients with the best mass tort lawyers in the country.

At Rueb Stoller Daniel our lawyers have enough experience to ensure you get justice against those big companies that have caused you and your family pain. In addition, we promise you the guarantee of a free consultation. If we do not win your case for you, you do not have to pay us.

So, you have nothing to lose when you speak to us about your case. Furthermore, when you contact us, you can be sure that someone will readily assist you with whatever you need. Finally, always remember that there are statutes of limitation when it comes to mass tort cases like yours. So, do not hesitate to contact us today.