What is Dovato used for?
HIV is also known as the human immunodeficiency virus. The virus that causes AIDS was first identified by researchers in Paris in 1983. HIV is a virus only found in humans and is commonly spread through bodily fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. It destroys cells in your immune system called T cells or CD4 cells. Without these cells, your body has difficulty fighting off infections and diseases. This makes you more likely to get sick from infections that typically would not hurt you. Over time, the damage HIV does to your immune system can lead to AIDS. AIDS occurs when you develop rare, opportunistic infections, types of cancer, or if you have lost a certain number of CD4 cells. Proper and early treatment can delay or prevent you from ever getting AIDS.
It can be years before you notice symptoms of HIV. Early symptoms are similar to infections such as the flu and include fever, chills, fatigue, muscle aches, sore throat, mouth sores, night sweats, and swollen lymph nodes. The only way to know you have HIV is to get tested. Routine testing is especially important if you have had unprotected sex, your partner has tested positive for HIV, or if you have shared needles with anybody (piercings, tattoos, or shooting drugs). If you are pregnant, you should also get tested at your first prenatal visit. Several tests are available and are all easy and relatively painless. Speak with your healthcare provider about getting tested, especially if you are at a high risk of developing HIV. If you test positive for HIV, there are treatments available that can help you live a long, healthy life. Typically, you will take a combination of antiretroviral medications to treat this condition.
Dovato is one of these available treatments. It is an HIV medication that contains 2 antiretroviral drugs, dolutegravir and lamivudine. It is taken once daily with or without food to reduce the amount of HIV (viral load) in your blood. Keeping these levels undetectable can help prevent you from developing AIDS and stop you from spreading HIV to others. However, Dovato is not a cure for HIV and will not treat other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
In this blog, we will discuss important information about Dovato that you need to know before taking this medication.
Dovato FAQs
Why do people take Dovato?
Dovato is a combination medication manufactured by Viiv Healthcare that contains dolutegravir and lamivudine. It is approved by the FDA for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in certain adults. Dovato is only indicated if you have had no previous treatment for HIV-1 or as a replacement for your current HIV treatment if you have an undetectable level of HIV in your blood.
How does Dovato treat HIV?
Dovato contains a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI), lamivudine, and an integrase inhibitor, dolutegravir. Dolutegravir treats the HIV infection by stopping the virus from making copies of itself by blocking an enzyme (integrase). This prevents the virus from spreading throughout your body. Lamivudine also stops the virus from copying itself but works by blocking a different enzyme called reverse transcriptase.
What are the potential side effects of using Dovato for HIV treatment?
The most common side effects of Dovato in clinical trials include:
- Headache
- Weight gain
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Trouble sleeping
- Tiredness
- Anxiety
Some other possible side effects of Dovato include:
- Increased blood sugar levels
- Decreased phosphate levels
- Increased creatine kinase levels in the blood
- Increased lipase levels
- Abnormal liver labs
- Dizziness
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Gas
- Feeling depressed
- Strange dreams
Dovato may also cause more serious side effects including:
- Serious allergic reactions (e.g. hives, swelling, trouble breathing, mouth sores, blistering skin)
- Worsening hepatitis B virus (HBV)
- Liver problems
- Lactic acidosis
- Immune reconstitution
- Harm to your unborn baby
These are not all of the possible adverse events of Dovato. Always seek medical advice from a healthcare professional. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Is there a Boxed Warning with Dovato?
You should be tested for hepatitis B virus (HBV) before beginning Dovato treatment. Using medications such as Dovato that contain lamivudine when you have both HIV-1 and HBV can cause your HBV to become resistant. Stopping treatment may also worsen HBV. Your liver function should be monitored.
What should you tell your healthcare provider before taking Dovato?
- If you are allergic to dolutegravir, lamivudine, or any ingredients
- If you take dofetilide
- All medical conditions, including liver or kidney issues
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Does Dovato interact with other drugs you are taking?
Dovato may interact with other drugs. Inform your provider about all medications you are taking, including:
- Other antiretrovirals
- Antacids, laxatives (with calcium, magnesium, aluminum)
- Iron supplements
- Dofetilide, dalfampridine, metformin
- Carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital
- St. John’s Wort, sorbitol, rifampin
What happens if you overdose on Dovato?
Do not take more than prescribed. In case of overdose, call Poison Control at 800-222-1222 or seek medical attention. There is no known specific treatment; supportive care may be required.
Can Dovato be used as a first-line treatment for HIV?
Yes, Dovato is FDA-approved for use as a complete regimen for adults with no prior HIV treatment or as a replacement if HIV is undetectable.
When should you take Dovato?
Take one tablet daily, with or without food. If taken with calcium or iron supplements, they must be taken with food. If not, separate dosing by at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after. Take missed doses as soon as possible unless it’s close to your next dose—never double dose.
Related Medications
- Truvada (emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate)
- Descovy (emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide fumarate)
- Genvoya (elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide fumarate)
- Biktarvy (bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide fumarate)
- Triumeq (abacavir/dolutegravir/lamivudine)
- Stribild (elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate)