Your partner or loved one has HIV. To prevent the spread, you trust your PrEp medication to keep you safe. However, no one warned that taking could actually damage your kidneys. The pharmaceutical company purposely hid the dangers of the medication from the American public.
About PrEP
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an HIV prevention strategy where HIV-negative individuals take anti-HIV medications before coming into contact with HIV to reduce their risk of becoming infected. The medications work to prevent HIV from establishing infection inside the body. PrEP has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection through sex for gay and bisexual men, transgender women, and heterosexual men and women, as well as among people who inject drugs.
In 2012, the FDA approved Gilead’s TDF medication, Truvada for PrEp use. This medication is taken as a once-daily oral pill, which combines two medicines in one: Emtriva (also called emtricitabine or FTC) and Viread (also called tenofovir disoproxil fumarate or TDF). Truvada works by blocking an enzyme called HIV reverse transcriptase. By blocking this enzyme, it prevents HIV from making more copies of itself in the body.
PrEp Kidney Issues
Nearly 60,000 people taking Truvada for PrEp reported kidney damage. Kidneys are normally resilient to damage, however, when symptoms start, it is hard to reverse them. Kidneys filter wastes from the bloodstream into the urine and out the body. However, those taking Truvada reported chronic kidney disease. This also prevented the kidneys from effectively filtering the bloodstream.
Symptoms of PrEp Kidney Issues
The symptoms of PrEp Kidney issues include:
Loss of appetite
Fatigue
Poor concentration
Swelling of feet and ankles
Itchy skin
Need to urinate frequently
High blood pressure
Abnormal protein levels in the urine
High creatinine levels diagnosed by a physician or other healthcare provider
Abnormal glomerular filtration rate (GFR) levels (15 to 90) as determined by tests and blood work
Death due to renal failure
Aside from chronic kidney disease, individuals taking Truvada are at risk of developing several other kidney-related conditions, including acute kidney injury (AKI) or acute renal failure (ARF). This is a kidney disorder in which the kidneys suddenly have difficulty filtering waste from the blood. Another is Fanconi Syndrome. Kidney tubule disorder causes excessive levels of glucose, potassium, and bicarbonate to be excreted in the urine. Lastly, there is a danger of developing Renal Tubular Acidosis. This is a kidney condition involving the build-up of acid in the bloodstream due to the kidneys failing to filter it out.
PrEp Kidney Issues Victims
If you or a loved one has been harmed by Truvada, you need an attorney with experience helping people who have been harmed by pharmaceutical drugs. The attorneys at the Michael Brady Lynch Firm know what it takes to go up against drug manufacturers to get clients what they need.
If a jury finds the conduct of a drug company in manufacturing and selling a drug to be reckless, they may award punitive damages to punish the company and deter similar conduct in the future. Therefore, if you developed kidney issues after taking PrEp meds, please speak to us to learn more about your rights.
You deserve compensation. It can never replace what you have lost. But, it can help you recover medical expenses, lost wages and the loss of an ability to work. The consultation is completely free, and you are under zero obligation. We are available 24/7 to take your call.