Dovato (Dolutegravir And Lamivudine)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Dovato Used For?
Dovato is an antiretroviral medication that contains two active ingredients: dolutegravir and lamivudine. It is specifically designed to treat HIV infection in adults and children over 12 years old.
Primary Uses
Dovato is used to treat HIV infection in adults and children over the age of 12. It does not cure AIDS or HIV infection but helps control the condition.
How It Works
Dovato slows down production of HIV in the body, which stops ongoing damage to the body’s immune system that fights infection. While taking this medication, you can still pass on HIV through sexual activity or blood/bodily secretions, although the risk is lowered by antiretroviral therapy.
Good to know: Dovato helps control your HIV condition and reduces the risk of transmission, though proper precautions are still needed to prevent infecting others.
How to Take Dovato
Dovato should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The medication comes as a tablet that should be swallowed whole with water.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dosage is one tablet once a day for adults and children over 12 years weighing at least 40 kg. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water – do not halve the tablet. You can take Dovato with or without food. If taking antacids, calcium, magnesium, or iron supplements, timing restrictions apply.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If your next dose is due within the next 4 hours, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the usual time. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember and then go back to taking your medicine normally.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed. Never stop taking Dovato suddenly or change the dose without talking to your doctor.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- headache
- feeling sick (nausea) and vomiting
- abdominal pain or discomfort
- diarrhea
- increased wind (flatulence)
- fatigue, tiredness, lack of energy
- general feeling of being unwell
- fever
- dizziness
- loss of hair
- rash and itching
- joint pain
- muscle pain
- weight gain
- abnormal dreams
- difficulty sleeping
- depression
- anxiety
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- allergic reaction (swelling of lips/tongue, wheezing, difficulty breathing, rash, hives)
- suicidal thoughts (mainly in patients with previous depression/mental health problems)
- lactic acidosis (fast breathing, drowsiness, numbness/weakness in limbs)
- hepatitis (liver inflammation)
- liver failure (yellowing of skin/eyes, dark urine)
- anemia (fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, heart palpitations)
- pancreatitis (severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting)
- muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis)
- tingling or numbness of hands, feet, arms, and legs
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings and precautions to be aware of before taking Dovato.
Who Should Not Take Dovato
Do not use Dovato if you are allergic to dolutegravir, lamivudine, or any ingredients. Do not take if you are using dofetilide or pilsicainide (heart condition medicines) or fampridine (multiple sclerosis medicine).
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Check with your doctor if you have any liver disease (including hepatitis B or C), kidney disease, or any other medical conditions. If you have hepatitis B, it may flare up when stopping treatment, which can cause serious illness.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Small temporary increases in blood lactate levels have been observed in babies exposed to NRTIs during pregnancy. Dolutegravir passes into breastmilk in small amounts – discuss benefits and risks with your doctor.
Immune System Changes: People with advanced HIV may develop inflammatory reactions when starting treatment as their immune system becomes stronger and starts fighting infections.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interfere with Dovato and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
Timing Important: Do not take antacids 6 hours before or 2 hours after Dovato. Same timing applies to calcium, magnesium, or iron supplements unless taken with food.
- dofetilide or pilsicainide (heart conditions)
- fampridine (multiple sclerosis)
- emtricitabine (HIV treatment)
- sorbitol-containing medicines
- metformin (diabetes)
- antacids
- calcium, magnesium and iron supplements
- etravirine, efavirenz, nevirapine or tipranavir/ritonavir (HIV medicines)
- rifampicin (tuberculosis)
- trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole
- phenytoin and phenobarbital (epilepsy)
- carbamazepine (epilepsy and bipolar disorder)
- St. John’s wort
Alcohol & Driving
Dovato may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol interactions are mentioned in the source material. Consult your doctor about alcohol consumption while taking Dovato.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Dovato affects you. Dovato may cause dizziness and tiredness in some people.
Storage
Store Dovato below 30°C in the original pack. Keep the medicine in the pack until it is time to take it. Store in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep where young children cannot reach it.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Dovato, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dovato begins working to slow down HIV production in your body once you start taking it, but you need to keep taking it every day to maintain its effectiveness. Your doctor will monitor your progress with regular blood tests.
Yes, you can take Dovato with or without food. However, if you’re taking calcium, magnesium, or iron supplements, you can take them at the same time as Dovato only if you take Dovato with food.
Do not stop taking Dovato suddenly or change the dose without talking to your doctor. You need to keep taking it every day to prevent your HIV infection from getting worse. If you have hepatitis B, stopping suddenly may cause it to flare up.
The source material does not provide specific information about alcohol interactions with Dovato. You should discuss alcohol consumption with your doctor while taking this medication.
Yes, weight gain is listed as one of the common side effects that have been reported with Dovato. Speak to your doctor if this side effect worries you.
If your next dose is due within the next 4 hours, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the usual time. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember and then continue with your normal schedule. Never take a double dose.
Dovato is approved for children over 12 years of age who weigh at least 40 kg. It is not recommended for children under 12 years because it’s a fixed-dose combination that cannot be adjusted for smaller patients.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.