Your partner or loved one has HIV. To prevent the spread, you trust your PrEp medication to keep you safe. However, the manufacturers nor doctors have warned you that taking this medication could actually damage your bones.
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 Bone Density Issues
Those taking Gilead’s TDF reported nearly 10,000 reports of bone density loss. In fact, a 2010 study found:
A strong correlation between loss of bone density in HIV-infected individuals, particularly in conjunction with the antiretroviral drug tenofovir.
Another study from 2016 found that Gilead’s PrEp medication, Truvada has a 1-3 percent greater bone mineral density loss than other anti-viral drugs. Without new bone tissue replacing the older one, osteoporosis sets in it. This is a condition in which bones are so weak that minor falls or stresses can cause them to fracture.
Symptoms
Common symptoms for osteoporosis and osteopenia include:
- Back pain
- Stooped posture
- Loss of height
- Bone fractures with physician or healthcare provider diagnosis of bone weakening or demineralization
- Bone density loss, bone demineralization, or weakening of the bones diagnosed by a physician or other healthcare provider
PrEp Bone Density 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 bone 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.
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