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COMBINATION DRUG
Dovato (dolutegravir/lamivudine) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in adults and adolescents age 12 and older who weigh at least 25 kilograms.
These insights are based on 391 comments about Dovato from myHIVteam members. These are the experiences of a small number of people and are not meant to be medical advice.
Benefits:
Considerations:
Dovato is an antiretroviral medicine used to treat HIV-1. It contains two medicines: dolutegravir and lamivudine.
Dolutegravir blocks an enzyme called integrase. Lamivudine blocks an enzyme called reverse transcriptase. HIV-1 needs these enzymes to make more copies of itself. Blocking them helps lower the amount of HIV-1 in the body.
Doctors prescribe Dovato for adults and adolescents age 12 and older who weigh at least 25 kilograms and have not taken HIV medicine before.
It may also replace a current HIV treatment in people who:
HIV-1 is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Dovato is a tablet taken by mouth once daily. It may be taken with or without food.
The recommended dose is one Dovato tablet once daily.
Each tablet contains 50 milligrams of dolutegravir and 300 milligrams of lamivudine.
When Dovato is taken with carbamazepine or rifampin, an additional 50-milligram dolutegravir tablet should be taken about 12 hours apart from the Dovato dose.
This information is based on prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.
These insights are based on 391 comments about Dovato from myHIVteam members.
Members who use Dovato often say that routines, lab follow-up, and open conversations with their HIV care team matter most. Many also suggest paying close attention to side effects, especially after switching from another HIV treatment, because experiences can vary a lot from person to person.
Take Dovato every day at a consistent time.
“The most important thing is to take your meds at the same time every day. That’s why I take mine as soon as I wake up. Consistency is very important.”
Get blood work when your doctor recommends it.
“I usually have bloodwork every three to six months as I have been stable and undetectable on my medications for many years now.”
Talk with your doctor about other medicines and interactions.
“I take several vitamins and herbs. It is very important to check with your doctor to make sure they are safe to take with Dovato.”
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In clinical studies of Dovato, the most common side effects were:
Dovato can cause serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention. These include:
Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.
ViiV Healthcare, the manufacturer of Dovato, offers the ViiVConnect Savings Card. Eligible people with commercial insurance may pay as little as $0 per prescription fill.
The ViiVConnect Savings Card also offers reimbursement for eligible people whose pharmacy is unable to process the savings card at the time of purchase.
To learn more, visit the ViiVConnect Savings Card website or call 866-279-4705.
Before starting Dovato, your doctor will test you for HBV infection.
Before you take Dovato tell your doctor if you:
Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Do not take Dovato if you:
Do not stop taking Dovato or let your supply run out without speaking with your healthcare provider. The amount of virus in your blood may increase, and the virus may become harder to treat.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take two doses at the same time or take more than your prescribed dose.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Dovato, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits.
A pregnancy exposure registry monitors pregnancy outcomes in people exposed to Dovato. Healthcare providers can register pregnancies by visiting the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry or calling 800-258-4263.
Talk with your healthcare provider about breastfeeding. Possible risks include:
These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.
How effective is Dovato for HIV?
In adults starting HIV treatment for the first time, 91 percent of people taking dolutegravir plus lamivudine had their HIV reduced to below 50 copies per milliliter by week 48. This compared with 93 percent of people taking dolutegravir plus tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine.
By week 144, the rates were 82 percent and 84 percent. Both groups also had similar increases in CD4-positive cells, which are immune cells that help the body fight infections.
In adults whose HIV-1 was already controlled and who switched to Dovato, fewer than 1 percent had the virus rise to 50 copies per milliliter or higher at week 48. At week 144, 86 percent still had HIV-1 levels below 50 copies per milliliter.
How long does Dovato take to work for HIV?
The studies measured results at set follow-up visits. They did not give one exact time when Dovato starts working.
In adults starting treatment, 91 percent had HIV-1 RNA below 50 copies per milliliter by week 48. In adolescents age 12 to younger than 18 years, 87 percent reached this level by week 48.
Can Dovato cause weight gain in people taking it for HIV?
Yes. In one clinical trial, weight gain was reported in 3 percent of adults who switched to Dovato.
Weight gain has also been reported after Dovato was approved. Changes in where body fat builds up have also been reported after approval.
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