Dolutegravir, Lamivudine is a combination of antiretroviral medicine developed by the U.S. Food And Drug Administration for treating Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

Dolutegravir, Lamivudine are used to treat Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in adults and adolescents over 12 who weigh at least 40 kg. HIV infection occurs when a person's immune system is attacked and weakened by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This infection progressively weakens the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to opportunistic infections.

It is an orally available prescription drug. Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of Dolutegravir, Lamivudine based on the disease condition and other factors. Always take this medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Take the tablet with or without food. Do not break, chew, or crush the tablet. Swallow the whole tablet with water.

The most common side effects of Dolutegravir, Lamivudine are headache, itching, dizziness, stomach pain, depression, difficulty sleeping, hair loss and muscle pain. Serious side effects can also occur such as severe allergic reactions like fever, rash, nausea, diarrhea, shortness of breath, swelling of the face or mouth and tiredness.

This drug is contraindicated and should not be used if you have any known allergy or hypersensitivity to this tablet or other ingredients in the medication. Antacids can interfere with the absorption of the drug and reduce its effectiveness. It is recommended not to take an antacid within 6 hours before or at least 2 hours after taking this tablet. You can take other acid-lowering medications, such as ranitidine, and omeprazole can be taken simultaneously with this tablet. You must consult your doctor for specific advice on taking acid-lowering medicines in conjunction with this medicine. Taking this tablet during the first weeks of pregnancy or when becoming pregnant may increase the risk of a malformed spinal cord in the baby. Inform your physician if you are pregnant, suspecting, or planning to get pregnant before taking this medicine. The doctor will explain the potential risks and benefits. Breastfeeding is not recommended because the viral infection can pass through breast milk with this Dolutegravir, Lamivudine.

Supplements or multivitamins with calcium, iron, or magnesium make the drug too difficult to absorb and reduce its effectiveness. Taking this tablet with food makes it possible to take these supplements concurrently. However, if you take it without food, avoid taking calcium, iron, or magnesium supplements for at least six hours before or two hours after taking the tablet. Consult your doctor for more guidance regarding using these supplements alongside Dolutegravir, Lamivudine. This tablet can interact with certain medications, potentially affecting their efficacy or increasing the risk of side effects. It's necessary to inform your doctor about all your medications, including prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal supplements, to ensure no potential interactions.

To prevent the spread of HIV infection, avoid sharing needles or syringes, which can transmit HIV infections easily. It's necessary for individuals who use injectable drugs to use sterile needles and syringes and never share them with others. Personal items like toothbrushes, razor blades, or anything with body fluids or blood should also be avoided. They should not be shared because HIV can be present in blood and certain body fluids, and sharing these items could mainly transmit the virus. 

Since this drug is unsafe for breastfeeding because HIV infection can be passed to the baby in the breast milk, alternative feeding methods can be followed to nourish the infant's growth. If you forget to take Dolutegravir, Lamivudine for the entire day, take your usual dose the next day. However, do not double-dose yourself.

1. ViiV Healthcare UK Limited, Electronic medicines compendium (EMC), [ Revised on May 2021] [ Accessed on 17 May 2023],https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.10446.pdf
2. Kandel CE, Walmsley SL, Dolutegravir - a review of the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety with the treatment of HIV, Drug Des Devel Ther., 2015, 7(9), 3547-55, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4500604/pdf/dddt-9-3547.pdf
3. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Antiviral drugs, 7th edition, 2013, 807-808.
4. Goodman & Gilman's, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Antiretroviral agents and treatment of HIV infection, 12th edition, 2011, 1634-1635.

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice. It is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.