Uses
What is Dovato used for?
Dovato (dolutegravir/lamivudine) is commonly used for HIV-1.
Learn more about HIV Treatment With Dovato.
Dovato may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does Dovato work (mechanism of action)?
Dovato contains two medicines: dolutegravir and lamivudine that work to stop HIV from replicating at two different parts of the virus replication process. This helps lower the virus level in the blood.
How is Dovato supplied (dosage forms)?
Dovato is available in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.
- 50 mg/300 mg oral tablets
How should I store Dovato?
Dovato should be stored below 86 F (30 C). If you are taking Dovato from a blister pack, do not remove tablets from blister packs until ready to take. Store in a cool, dry place.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of Dovato?
The most common side effects of Dovato are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Headache
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Trouble sleeping
- Tiredness
- Anxiety
There may be other side effects of Dovato that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of Dovato?
While less common, the most serious side effects of Dovato are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Dovato may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Dovato and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling or redness of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, eyes, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint or muscle pain
- Tiredness
- Blisters or sores in the mouth
- Blisters or peeling of the skin
Liver Problems. Dovato can cause liver damage (hepatotoxicity), inflammation of the liver (hepatitis), your liver to become large (hepatomegaly), fat to build up in your liver (steatosis), or liver failure. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach or belly pain
- Fever
- Weakness or unusual tiredness
- Itching
- Loss of appetite
- Light-colored poop
- Dark-colored urine (pee)
- Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)
Lactic Acidosis. Dovato may cause lactic acidosis (a buildup of lactic acid in your blood), which can be serious. Stop taking Dovato and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of lactic acidosis.
- General ill feeling
- Muscle pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Drowsiness
- Stomach pain with nausea and vomiting
- Feeling cold, especially in your arms and legs
- Dizziness
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
Immune System Changes. When you start Dovato, your immune system might get stronger and start fighting infections that have been hiding inside your body for a long time. The type of symptoms you may have will depend on the infection. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you notice any of the following new symptoms of infection.
- Fever, sweats, chills, or muscle aches
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Vision problems
- Confusion, problems talking, or headache
- Skin problems such as a painful rash or warts
- Cough or coughing up blood
- Weakness or coordination problems
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use Dovato?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Dovato.
- Dovato
- Dolutegravir
- Lamivudine
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Dovato.
Drug Interactions. Dovato should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking Dovato, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
What should I know about Dovato before using it?
Dovato is taken once a day, with or without food. Do not change your dose or stop Dovato without talking to your healthcare provider.
Do not run out of Dovato. The virus level in the blood may start to increase. If you start to run low, refill your prescription from the pharmacy or talk to your healthcare provider before your medicine is gone.
Do not take Dovato unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.
Do not share Dovato with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep Dovato out of the reach of children.
Dovato can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how Dovato affects you.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Dovato?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Dovato is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Hepatitis B Infection. Tell your healthcare provider if you have a condition called hepatitis B, which causes inflammation (swelling) in the liver. If you have hepatitis B and HIV-1, taking Dovato may cause the hepatitis B virus to become more difficult to treat (resistance). Stopping Dovato, if you have hepatitis B and HIV-1, may also worsen hepatitis B. For a few months after stopping Dovato, your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check how well your liver is working.
Other Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.
- Liver problems, including hepatitis C
- Kidney problems
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Dovato could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take Dovato while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking Dovato, you can register for the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry (APR) by calling 800‑258‑4263. This registry collects safety information about the use of HIV medicines during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding. Dovato passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. There may be a few risks associated with breastfeeding while taking Dovato/having HIV. There is a risk of the HIV-1 virus passing into your baby, the HIV-1 virus may be harder to treat if your baby has HIV-1, or your baby may have side effects from Dovato. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should breastfeed while taking Dovato.
How can I get more information about Dovato?
For more information about Dovato, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at www.dovato.com or call them at 877-844-8872.
Interactions
Does Dovato interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between Dovato and foods or drinks.
There are no known interactions between Dovato and alcohol.
Does Dovato interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Dovato.
- Dofetilide (Tikosyn), which is a medicine used to treat abnormal heart rhythm
- Carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol, and others), which is a medicine commonly used to treat seizures or nerve pain
- Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, and others), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), and phenobarbital which are medicines used to control seizures
- Metformin (Glumetza), which is a medicines used to treat type 2 diabetes
- Rifampin, which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
- St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used to treat depression
- An antacid or laxative containing calcium, aluminum, or magnesium
- Sucralfate, which is a medicine used to prevent and treat stomach ulcers
- Buffered medicines such as Alka Seltzer or Bufferin, which are used for upset stomach, heartburn, or body pain
- Multivitamins or supplements that contain calcium or iron
- Dalfampridine, which is a medicine used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Medicines that contain sorbitol
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Dovato. Always check with your healthcare provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much Dovato?
If you or someone else has used too much Dovato, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of Dovato?
Missing doses of Dovato can cause it to not work as well over time. So it’s important not to miss or skip doses.