Tenofovir disoproxil, is the active ingredient in a medication sold under the trade name Viread, Truvada, Prep, among others, is a medication used to treat chronic hepatitis B and to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS. It is generally recommended for use with other antiretrovirals. It may be used for prevention of HIV/AIDS among those at high risk before exposure, and after a needlestick injury or other potential exposure. It is sold both by itself and together as embtricitabine/tenofovir and efefavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir. It does not cure HIV/AIDS or hepatitis B. It is available by mouth as a tablet or powder.
Fanconi syndrome (renal complications and bone metabolism.)
is a syndrome of inadequate reabsorption in the proximal renal tubules of the kidney. The syndrome can be caused by various underlying congenital or acquired diseases, by toxicity (for example, from toxic, heavy metals), or by adverse drug reactions. It results in various small molecules of metabolism being passed into the urine instead of being reabsorbed from the tubular fluid (for example, glucose, amino acids, uric acid, phosphate, and bicarbonate). Fanconi syndrome affects the proximal tubules, namely, the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT), which is the first part of the tubule to process fluid after it is filtered through the glomerulus, and the proximal straight tubule (pars recta), which leads to the descending limb of loop of Henle.
Different forms of Fanconi syndrome can affect different functions of the proximal tubule, and result in different complications. The loss of bicarbonate results in type 2 or proximal renal tubular acidosis. The loss of phosphate results in the bone diseases rickets and osteomalacia (even with adequate vitamin D and calcium levels), because phosphate is necessary for bone development bone development in children and even for ongoing bone metabolism in adults.
Scientific Findings of Tenofovir Disoproxil
Truvada and other antiretroviral drugs containing the active ingredient tenofovir disoproxil increase the risk of bone density loss, fracture, renal impairment, and kidney failure. Among the most popular HIV drugs in the world, Truvada has serious side effects that cause injury and permanent damage to persons already suffering from HIV. A safer version of tenofovir, known as TAF, is an effective antiretroviral that does not pose the same risk for kidney problems and bone density loss.
Despite early indications that TAF was a safer alternative with lower toxicity, the drug maker halted clinical research for several years, resuming only when its patent on Truvada was set to expire. Truvada earned more than $11 billion annually at its height for Gilead Sciences, Inc. Critics says the company purposefully delayed TAF research in order to prolong its patent on tenofovir-containing drugs and safeguard its market dominance. Meanwhile, millions of HIV-positive Americans were exposed to a heightened risk for serious and permanent injuries including kidney failure, renal impairment, bone density loss, and bone fractures. Gilead received FDA Truvada warning letters on two occasions when drug company representatives were caught downplaying Truvada side effects and making false claims about the drug’s safety.
Now Gilead Sciences, Inc. faces serious questions regarding the timeline of its development of TAF. Persons and the family members of persons who suffered from side effects such as broken and brittle bones, osteoporosis, and kidney failure after taking antiretrovirals including Truvada, Viread, Stribild, Atripla, Symfi Lo, AccessPak for HIV PEP Expanded with Kaletra, AccessPak for HIV PEP Expanded with Viracept, Complera, Cimduo, or Genvoya are filing bone and kidney failure lawsuits against Gilead. Filing a Truvada lawsuit is the only means individuals and families must obtain the compensation they deserve for suffering, damage, medical expenses and loss related to Truvada kidney failure or osteoporosis. In addition, filing a Truvada lawsuit claim is the best method for individual consumers to hold Gilead accountable for its unethical business practices.