Truvada stays in your system for about a week after you stop taking it. The main ingredient in Truvada, the HIV prophylaxis drug, typically has a half-life of more than six days, according to a study published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.
Knowing how long the drug stays in the human body at high concentrations can be important for two reasons:
- Individuals using the medication for HIV prevention: Even when patients miss a dose of Truvada, they could still have protection from contracting the HIV virus, as the active ingredient in the drug, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), persists in the body for several days at high concentrations.
- Individuals suffering from serious side effects: Those who suffer from serious and debilitating side effects from Truvada may wish to know when their body is completely clear of the medication.
While Truvada does not persist in high doses in the human body for much more than a week, it could take a considerable amount of time before all traces of the drug have disappeared. Some drugs can accumulate in tissues and cells in the body and persist for many weeks or months in small concentrations.
If you are suffering from any adverse reactions to Truvada, you should consult your medical provider. Your doctor can order diagnostic tests to find out if your medical conditions are related to Truvada. Testing blood, hair, and urine can also help determine whether Truvada is staying in your system after you stopped taking it.
Truvada Could Be a Dangerous Drug
While many of those using Truvada may only suffer mild side effects such as abdominal pain, rash, headaches, and nausea, the drug could come with other, more significant health risks. Serious side effects can include:
- Acute kidney failure
- Fanconi syndrome and other kidney diseases
- Lactic acidosis
- Liver failure
- Fatty liver
- Osteoporosis and decreased bone density
- Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS)
Some of the severe side effects, such as kidney failure and lactic acidosis, can cause lifelong debilitating conditions and death. There may also be additional health risks with Truvada for those who take other medication and those with pre-existing conditions.
If you are worried about the potential side effects of Truvada, you can contact your doctor, who could switch you to another, safer medication with similar protection.
Moreover, you could seek help from one of our attorneys involved in the Truvada lawsuit. Your attorney will evaluate your situation, analyze the evidence, and tell you whether you have legal options to explore against the responsible parties. To receive the compensation you deserve, you need professional legal assistance, as defective drug lawsuits of this magnitude are complex and lengthy.
The Manufacturer Could Be Responsible
Developing drugs for the U.S. market is a costly and lengthy affair. Pharmaceutical companies spend billions on research, development, and clinical trials, according to Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. After investing resources and time into the development of a medication, it may never reach the market unless it finds approval with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It should not come as a surprise that drug manufacturers want to squeeze out as much profit as possible from the drugs that they successfully launch.
Lawsuits against Gilead Sciences, Inc., the maker of Truvada, allege that the company tried to downplay serious side effects the drug could potentially cause in consumers. If those harmed by the drug can prove the manufacturer failed to warn patients and doctors of serious side effects, they could have a case.
If you would like to find out whether you could file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of Truvada, you should consider a consultation with a Truvada lawsuit lawyer who can assess your situation and inform you of your legal options. In a dangerous drug lawsuit, you could recover awards for:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills and future medical expenses
- Rehabilitative therapies
- Medical devices
- Physical pain and emotional distress
- Permanent disability
- Loss of life enjoyment
We Can Fight for Your Rights
We typically put our trust in medications to make us feel better, or in the case of Truvada, to help us avoid contracting an HIV infection. However, no drug is worth risking one’s life for. Most patients, given a choice, would rather avoid a medication with dangerous side effects if possible. The trouble is, when a manufacturer withholds important information from patients, they put the patient in danger of suffering from potentially fatal side effects. This is wrong and illegal. A manufacturer has to label a drug correctly, make sure that a medication is efficient, and that the benefit from a drug generally outweighs any risks.
We understand that victims of pharmaceutical negligence may be afraid to step forward and stand up against a powerful corporation. However, you are not alone. We can be with you every step of the way and progress your claim while you are free to recover. Ben Crump Law, PLLC is not afraid to tackle tough cases and stand up to large pharmaceutical companies, helping victims get compensation. Call us today at (800) 983-6116 to secure your free, confidential case evaluation.
