Lawsuits Allege Truvada and TDF Drugs Cause Bone Density Loss, Kidney Damage, Other Health Problems
Truvada, a popular medicine used to treat and prevent HIV, may put people at increased risk for serious side effects, which may result in serious injury and, potentially, death.
If you’ve taken Truvada or Truvada for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and suffered from serious and potentially life-threatening side effects, you may have a claim in a Truvada lawsuit — and you may be entitled to significant financial compensation.
For a FREE, 100% confidential consultation with an experienced product liability attorney at Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, please call (800) 525-7111 or contact us today!
If you decide to hire us to represent you, there is no upfront cost and no attorney fee unless we win your case and you receive financial compensation.
Please call us for a free case review with an experienced Truvada lawsuit lawyer.
Can I file a Truvada lawsuit?
In order to qualify for a Truvada lawsuit, you must meet the following criteria:
- Must have taken Truvada, Viread, Stribild, Atripla, Symfi Lo or Complera
- Must have osteoporisis, osteomalacia, bone density loss or weakening of the bones diagnosed by a physician
- Must have suffered from lactic acidosis, kidney failure or liver problems
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September 2025 Update — Truvada & TDF Drug Lawsuits
- MDL Status and Case Volume
- Lawsuits involving Truvada and other tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) drugs are centralized in MDL No. 2881 before Judge Jon Tigar in the Northern District of California.
- As of September 2025, the MDL includes more than 15,000 pending claims, with new cases still being filed nationwide.
- Core Allegations
- Plaintiffs allege that Gilead Sciences failed to adequately warn about risks of kidney damage, bone density loss, and related complications tied to long-term use of TDF-based medications.
- Claims also assert that Gilead intentionally delayed development and release of a safer alternative drug (TAF, marketed as Descovy).
- Bellwether Developments
- The court is moving forward with case selection for the bellwether trial pool.
- First bellwether trials are expected to begin in 2026, with discovery and expert challenges currently underway.
- Defense Strategy
- Gilead argues that the benefits of TDF drugs in preventing HIV transmission and progression outweigh potential risks.
- The company also contests causation, asserting that plaintiffs’ health conditions stem from other risk factors.
- Settlement Outlook
- Settlement discussions remain ongoing but no global deal has been announced.
- Attorneys suggest that bellwether outcomes will be critical in shaping the scope and size of any eventual settlement.
- Parallel Litigation
- In addition to the MDL, several state court cases continue to move forward independently, particularly in California.
- These cases may generate earlier trial outcomes that influence the federal MDL negotiations.
Individuals who have experienced kidney or bone-related health issues after using Truvada or other TDF-based medications are encouraged to consult with a legal professional to understand their rights and potential avenues for compensation. Please call (800) 525-7111 to speak with an experienced Truvada lawyer at Riddle & Riddle for free.
What is Truvada and Truvada PrEP?
Truvada is a medicine used to treat and even prevent HIV. Truvada is manufactured by Gilead Sciences Inc. and is approved to both treat people who have tested positive for HIV, and protect HIV-negative adults from contracting the virus.
When used as protection instead of treatment, the medicine is called Truvada for pre-exposure prophylaxis, or Truvada for PrEP.
Truvada is made of emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. When used to treat HIV-positive individuals, it is used in combination with other medicines such as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs).
While there is no cure for HIV or AIDS, Truvada has been approved as an effective treatment and, in the case of individuals who have not contracted HIV, a preventative measure (marketed as Truvada for PrEP).
Truvada Side Effects and Truvada Lawsuits
While Truvada can be an effective treatment and preventive medicine for HIV, the drug also has many potentially serious side effects.
Serious and potentially life-threatening side effects of Truvada include:
- Lactic acidosis
- Kidney failure
- Liver problems
- Bone problems
Each of these potential side effects can result in death if left untreated.
If you have experienced any of these side effects, contact a doctor immediately.
More common and less serious side effects of Truvada and Truvada for PrEP include but are not limited to:
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Depression
- Rash
- Difficulty sleeping
- Abnormal dreams
Patients are urged to contact their healthcare provider if they experience any of these symptoms as the consequences can be serious and even fatal.
What is Lactic Acidosis?
One of the most serious side effects of Truvada and Truvada for PrEP is lactic acidosis, a rare but serious condition that occurs when too much lactic acid builds up in the blood.
Symptoms of lactic acidosis may include (but are not limited to):
- Weakness or fatigue
- Unusual muscle pain
- Shortness of breath or fast breathing
- Stomach pain with nausea and vomiting
- Cold or blue hands and feet
- Dizziness and/or lightheadedness
- Rapid or abnormal heartbeat
If you have experienced any of these symptoms, contact a doctor immediately. Lactic acidosis can be fatal if left untreated.
Liver Problems and Truvada / Truvada for PrEP
Truvada can also cause serious and potentially life-threatening liver problems.
Symptoms of severe liver problems include but are not limited to:
- Yellow skin and eyes
- Dark, “tea-colored” urine
- Light-colored stools
- Loss of appetite for several days
- Nausea
- Pain in the stomach area
Patients experiencing any of these symptoms are advised to contact a doctor right away.
Kidney Problems and Truvada / Truvada for PrEP
Truvada may also lead to serious kidney problems, including life-threatening kidney failure.
Symptoms of kidney failure include but are not limited to:
- Anemia
- Easy bleeding and bruising
- Headache
- Tiredness, fatigue and feeling drowsy
- Weakness
- Lowered mental alertness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Less desire to eat
- Thirst
- Muscle cramping
- Urinating at night
- Numbness in the extremities
- Diarrhea
- Itchy eyes or skin
- Changes in skin color
- Swelling and puffiness
- Difficulty breathing
- High blood pressure
- Decreased urine output
- Poor digestion
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact a doctor immediately.
Bone Problems and Truvada / Truvada for PrEP
Truvada may potentially contribute to bone problems, as well, which can also be a sign of reduced kidney function or kidney failure.
Symptoms of bone problems include but are not limited to:
- Persistent or worsening bone pain
- Pain in the extremities
- Fractures
- Muscle pain and/or weakness
Many of the complications potentially associated with Truvada and Truvada for PrEP can be serious and may be life-threatening. Talk with your healthcare provider immediately if you have experienced any of these symptoms.
Other Medicines Containing Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate
Several other drugs contain tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and may also result in similar serious and potentially life-threatening side effects.
These medicines include:
- Viread
- Stribild
- Atripla
- Symfi Lo
- AccessPak for HIV PEP Expanded with Kaletra
- AccessPak for HIV PEP Expanded with Viracept
- Complera
- Cimduo
- Genvoya
Truvada Lawsuit
Truvada manufacturer Gilead Sciences Inc. faces lawsuits alleging that the company knowingly manufactured and marketed a defective product, and failed to disclose negligence or warn consumers about Truvada’s risks.
Patients who have taken Truvada or Truvada for PrEP and have been diagnosed with lactic acidosis, kidney problems, liver problems, or bone problems may be entitled to financial compensation.
Financial compensation to Truvada lawsuit claimants may be used to pay for medical expenses, make up for lost wages or help improve quality of life.
Do you have a claim in a Truvada lawsuit?
If you have taken Truvada or Truvada for PrEP and suffered serious side effects, you may have a claim in a Truvada lawsuit and you may be entitled to financial compensation.
Patients who have taken Truvada or Truvada for PrEP (or another of the drugs mentioned above) and been diagnosed with the following may be eligible for a Truvada lawsuit:
- Osteoporosis
- Osteopenia
- Osteomalacia (softening of the bones)
- Bone density loss
- Bone demineralization
- Weakening of the bones
- Chronic kidney disease
- Renal (kidney) failure required dialysis
- Renal (kidney) failure and hospitalization
- Low kidney function requiring dialysis
- High creatine levels
- Abnormal glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
- Abnormal protein levels in the urine
- Fanconi Syndrome / proximal renal tubule dysfunction
If you have taken Truvada or Truvada for PrEP and been diagnosed with any of these potentially dangerous and/or life-threatening conditions, you may have a case for a Truvada lawsuit and you may be entitled to compensation.
For a FREE, 100% confidential consultation with an experienced Truvada lawsuit attorney, please call or contact us.
We will review your case and advise on your best legal options.
The consultation is free and 100% confidential, and if you decide to hire us, there is no upfront cost and no attorney fee unless we win your case and you receive compensation for your injury.
Families of victims who have died potentially as a result of taking Truvada or Truvada for PrEP may have a wrongful death claim and be entitled to compensation, as well.
Please call (800) 525-7111 to speak with a product liability lawyer today. You can also complete the short and easy form below if you prefer.
The consultation is free and completely confidential.
Riddle & Riddle has been representing victims of injury since 1985 and our attorneys have more than 190 years of combined legal experience. We believe Justice Counts and that companies whose negligence results in injury should be held accountable.
For a FREE consultation and case review, please call (800) 525-7111.
You deserve justice, and we would love to help if we can.