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Stribild Side Effects Lawsuit in 2025 (Latest Updates)

Lawsuits are being filed against Gilead Sciences Inc. alleging that Stribild and its other tenofovir-containing HIV drugs have the potential to cause toxicity to the kidneys and bone density loss.
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C.L. Mike Schmidt Published by C.L. Mike Schmidt

Complimentary Confidential Lawsuit Review: Should you or a loved one have suffered injuries from using Stribild, it’s crucial that you reach out to our law firm without delay for expert legal guidance. You could be eligible for financial restitution by initiating legal action against the product’s maker, and our attorneys are ready to assist.Bone Mineral Density

What is Stribild?

According to the National Library of Medicine, Stribild treats human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the infection that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It doesn’t cure HIV or AIDS, but instead may slow the disease’s progress and prolong life. Stribild is made by Gilead Sciences and was approved by the FDA in October 2012 [1].

What’s the Problem?

Lawsuits allege that tenofovir alafenamide fumarate, one of the active ingredients in Stribild, contributes to kidney problems and bone demineralization due to compromised bone density, which has caused bone fractures and other serious side effects in some patients.

Gilead Sciences Inc

Stribild Side Effects

  • Increased risk of bone demineralization
  • Decreased bone mineral density
  • Bone fractures
  • Osteopenia
  • Osteoporosis
  • Reduced kidney function
  • Kidney injuries
  • Kidney damage
  • Kidney toxicity
  • Kidney disease (CKD)
  • Kidney failure (renal failure)
  • Liver problems
  • The buildup of lactic acid in the blood (lactic acidosis)
  • Chronic pain
  • According to a 2023 research by Healthline [2]

Medical Devices

AIDS Healthcare Foundation Files Stribild Class Action Lawsuit

AIDS Health Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, filed lawsuits on behalf of Devin Martinez, Ricardo Wohler, and other Stribild users who purchased Stribild and other HIV medicines in May 2018.

This California lawsuit is separate from the individual injury lawsuits filed by people who suffered renal failure and other injuries from TDF, but it deals with similar issues.

According to the complaint, Gilead misrepresented TDF as a safer drug to treat HIV as early as 2001. The FDA even reprimanded Gilead in 2002 and 2003 for claiming the drug had no toxicities and would not cause bone or kidney damage, but the company continued to downplay the risks.

Allegations against Gilead in the class lawsuit include:

  • Failing to disclose that its HIV drug had a significant risk for toxicity and bone and kidney damage
  • Failed to warn of the kidney and bone risks in all patients, not just those with preexisting kidney and bone problems
  • Gilead misrepresented the risks and benefits of its TDF drugs to sell them

European Scientists

What is TDF HIV Medication?

Stribild belongs to a group of highly toxic chemical pharmaceuticals known as NRTIs (nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors). NRTI drugs work by blocking a specific enzyme called reverse transcriptase (RT).

The RT enzyme helps certain types of cells copy their DNA and replicate themselves through a process called reverse transcription.

Retroviruses such as HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) utilize the RT enzyme in their early stages to duplicate and fuel the progression and expansion of the virus inside the body.

TDF medication doesn’t kill the virus so it cannot cure HIV/AIDS. However, by blocking the RT enzyme, Stribild effectively prevents the HIV cells from multiplying. When used in combination with other drugs, TDF can not only stop HIV from growing but reduce the amount of HIV in the system.

As claimed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), TDF was developed and patented by Gilead Sciences Inc. In 2001, the agency approved TDF for use in the treatment of HIV infection [3].

Stribild was a groundbreaking drug and soon after its release, hundreds of thousands of people living with HIV-1 were using it to manage their condition. If left untreated, HIV can destroy the body’s immune system and be fatal. Stribild drastically changed the outlook and prognosis of countless HIV patients.

Unfortunately, the amazing benefits of Stribild came with a heavy price tag. TDF is not easily absorbed into the body. As a result, users must take very high doses of the drug for it to have any effect.

This meant that Stribild had a long list of potential side effects including problems with the kidneys and loss of bone density. Several studies have now confirmed that continued use of Stribild can cause acute kidney disease, cancer, and osteoporosis and the incidence rate of these side effects is alarmingly high.

Are There Any Benefits of Stribild?

Stribild was investigated in two main studies involving 1,422 adult patients with HIV-1 who had not been treated before, where Stribild was compared with other HIV medicines.

The main measure of effectiveness was based on the reduction in viral load (the amount of HIV-1 virus in the blood). Patients whose viral load was reduced to less than 50 HIV-1 RNA copies/ml after 48 weeks of treatment were considered to have responded to treatment.

In the first study, involving 715 patients, Stribild was compared with the combination of ritonavir, atazanavir plus a medicine containing emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil (which are also contained in Stribild).

After 48 weeks, around 90% of patients treated with Stribild (316 out of 353) responded to treatment compared with around 87% of patients treated with the comparator treatment (308 out of 355).

In the second study, involving 707 patients, Stribild was compared with a medicine containing efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil.

After 48 weeks, around 88% of patients treated with Stribild (305 out of 348) responded to treatment compared with around 84% of patients treated with the comparator medicine (296 out of 352).

According to the European Medicines Agency, a third study involving 50 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years who had not been previously treated for HIV-1 showed that Stribild was also effective in reducing viral load in this age group; 88% (44 of 50 patients) responded to treatment after 24 weeks, and the response persisted after 48 weeks [4].

Stribild provides viral suppression, comparable to other combination HIV drugs through review of non-inferiority and regimen simplification studies, with minimal adverse effects. Although the breadth of Stribild effectiveness has begun to unfold, studies are lacking in older patients as well as adolescents. Stated the National Library of Medicine.

Judge Clears Suit Alleging Gilead Sciences Sold Defective HIV Medications

U.S. District Judge Jon S. Tigar has greenlighted a lawsuit filed by a group of patients accusing the pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences Inc. of negligence, product liability, and a host of other allegations surrounding its tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-containing HIV drugs, but agreed to narrow the scope of the case by tossing allegations that Gilead hid knowledge that the medicines are “unreasonably and unnecessarily unsafe.”

Tigar cleared various other claims made in the suit, including design defect, negligence, and product liability claims.

Which Other HIV Drugs Contain Tenofovir?

In addition to Stribild, other HIV medications that contain tenofovir include:

Can I File a Stribild Lawsuit?

Only a qualified attorney can determine whether you are eligible to file a lawsuit against Gilead Sciences, the maker of Stribild, which is why we are currently offering free case evaluations on Stribild-induced injury cases. If you were injured after taking Stribild, simply fill out the confidential evaluation form below to contact our law firm now.

Most lawsuits claim that a drug was sold with design, manufacturing, and/or marketing defects, which typically refers to a company’s failure to warn of a certain side effect.

In the case of Stribild, our attorneys suspect that patients may be able to take legal action in light of claims that Gilead failed to adequately warn doctors and patients about the risk of kidney damage and bone problems associated with its anti-HIV medications.

Chronic Kidney Disease Symptoms

  • Weight loss and poor appetite
  • Swollen ankles, feet, or hands
  • Shortness of breath
  • Tiredness
  • Blood in your urine
  • An increased need to urinate – particularly at night
  • Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
  • Itchy skin
  • Muscle cramps
  • Feeling sick
  • Headaches
  • Erectile dysfunction in men

How Can Filing a Lawsuit Help Me?

By filing a lawsuit against the maker of Stribild, you may be entitled to collect compensation for all current and future medical expenses related to the treatment of your injury, as well as for damages for pain and suffering.

Additionally, filing a lawsuit can help hold the drug’s manufacturer accountable for releasing an allegedly defective drug into the marketplace, and to discourage other pharmaceutical companies from engaging in similar conduct.

FAQs

What compensation can be sought in a Stribild lawsuit?

Compensation in a Stribild lawsuit can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related costs. In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded to penalize the manufacturer for negligence and failure to warn.

Can ongoing medical expenses be covered in a Stribild lawsuit settlement?

Yes, ongoing medical expenses can be included in a Stribild lawsuit settlement. Compensation may cover current and future medical treatments related to kidney damage or bone density loss caused by Stribild.

What should I do if I suspect Stribild caused my health issues?

If you suspect Stribild caused your health issues, consult with your healthcare provider, gather medical records, document your symptoms, and consult with a lawyer to evaluate your case and discuss potential legal action.

Read more: Can I File a Stribild Class Action Lawsuit?

See all related dangerous drug lawsuits our attorneys covered so far.

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Have you or a loved one suffered from the adverse side effects caused by defective medication?

Get a Free Stribild Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Lawyers

The Dangerous Drugs Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark, LLP law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Stribild lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and are currently accepting new Stribild Lawsuits in all 50 states.

Free Case Evaluation: Again, if you were harmed by the side effects of Stribild, you should contact our law firm immediately for a free consultation. You may be entitled to seek compensation and hold Gilead Sciences accountable by filing a suit and we can help.

References:

  1. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=74ae2a93-b267-444c-8f0f-a2a6522260ee
  2. https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs/stribild#drug-images
  3. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2016/203100s024lbl.pdf
  4. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/stribild

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