Dovato
What is DOVATO?
(DOVATO) This product contains 2 drugs: dolutegravir and lamivudine. It is used to help control HIV infection. It helps to decrease the amount of HIV in your body so your immune system can work better. This lowers your chance of getting HIV complications (such as new infections, cancer) and improves your quality of life. Lamivudine belongs to a class of drugs known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). Dolutegravir belongs to a class of drugs known as integrase inhibitors. This medication is not a cure for HIV infection. To decrease your risk of spreading HIV disease to others, continue to take all HIV medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Use an effective barrier method (latex or polyurethane condoms/dental dams) during sexual activity as directed by your doctor. Do not share personal items (such as needles/syringes, toothbrushes, and razors) that may have contacted blood or other body fluids. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
How should I use DOVATO?
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking this product and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. If you are taking certain other medications, your doctor may direct you to take additional dolutegravir. Carefully follow your doctor's directions. Take this medication at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after taking sucralfate and products containing aluminum or magnesium (such as antacids, laxatives, buffered medications). These products bind with dolutegravir, decreasing its effectiveness. If you are also taking calcium or iron supplements (including vitamins/minerals that contain calcium or iron), take this medication at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after these products. Or if you take this medication with food, you can take the supplements at the same time. It is very important to keep taking this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not skip any doses. For the best effect, take this medication at evenly spaced times. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time every day. Do not take more or less of this drug than prescribed or stop taking it even for a short time unless directed to do so by your doctor. Doing so may cause the amount of virus to increase, make the infection more difficult to treat (resistant), or worsen side effects.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take DOVATO?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to dolutegravir or lamivudine; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney problems, liver problems (such as hepatitis B or C). Limit alcoholic beverages, because they can increase the risk of liver problems. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Before using this medication, women of childbearing age should talk with their doctor(s) about the risks and benefits. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. Your doctor should direct you to get a pregnancy test before starting this medication. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It is not recommended for use during the first trimester of pregnancy due to possible harm to the unborn baby. Ask about reliable forms of birth control while using this medication. This medication passes into breast milk. Because breast milk may transmit HIV, consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
What may interact with DOVATO?
See also How to Use section. Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Some products that may interact with this drug are: dofetilide, orlistat, sorbitol. Do not take this medication with other products (including those that treat HIV infection) that contain lamivudine or emtricitabine.
What should I watch for while using DOVATO?
Patients should be tested for hepatitis B infection before starting this medication. If you have hepatitis B infection and HIV, you may need additional drugs to treat the hepatitis B infection. You may also have a serious worsening of hepatitis symptoms if you stop taking lamivudine. Talk with your doctor before stopping this medication. Your doctor will monitor liver tests for several months after you stop lamivudine. Get medical help right away if you develop symptoms of worsening liver problems.
What if I miss a dose of DOVATO?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.
What side effects may I notice from receiving DOVATO?
Headache or trouble sleeping may occur. If either of these effects lasts or gets worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. As your immune system gets stronger, it can begin to fight off infections you already had, possibly causing disease symptoms to come back. You could also have symptoms if your immune system becomes overactive. This reaction may happen at any time (soon after starting HIV treatment or many months later). Get medical help right away if you have any serious symptoms, including: unexplained weight loss, severe tiredness, muscle aches/weakness that doesn't go away, headaches that are severe or don't go away, joint pain, numbness/tingling of the hands/feet/arms/legs, vision changes, signs of infection (such as fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, trouble breathing, cough, non-healing skin sores), signs of an overactive thyroid (such as irritability, nervousness, heat intolerance, fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, bulging eyes, unusual growth in the neck/thyroid known as a goiter), signs of a certain nerve problem known as Guillain-Barre syndrome (such as unsteadiness, loss of coordination, trouble swallowing/speaking/chewing, trouble moving your eyes). Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: mental/mood changes (such as depression, anxiety), signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine). Rarely, this medication has caused severe (sometimes fatal) liver problems and a buildup of lactic acid in the blood (lactic acidosis). These serious side effects may occur more often in women and obese patients. Get medical help right away if you have any of the following serious symptoms, including: symptoms of liver problems (such as nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, loss of appetite, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine), symptoms of lactic acidosis (such as deep/rapid breathing, drowsiness, nausea/vomiting). A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Where should I keep DOVATO?
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.