Dovato (dolutegravir/lamivudine) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for HIV in adults. Dovato comes as an oral tablet you typically take once per day.
Specifically, Dovato is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat HIV in adults who:
- haven’t received antiretroviral therapy in the past or
- have been taking an antiretroviral regimen and want to change their treatment
Dovato contains two medications:
- Dolutegravir belongs to a drug class called integrase inhibitors.
- Lamivudine belongs to a drug class called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
Dovato isn’t available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Dovato, including its strength and how to take medication. For a comprehensive look at Dovato, see this article.
Note: This article describes the typical dosage for Dovato provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Dovato, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
Read on for more details about the dosage of Dovato for its approved use.
Dovato form
Dovato comes as an oral tablet.
Dovato strength
Dovato comes in the following strength: 50 milligrams (mg) dolutegravir/300 mg lamivudine (50 mg/300 mg)
Typical dosage
The following information describes the dosage that’s commonly prescribed or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for HIV
The recommended dosage to treat HIV is one 50-mg/300-mg Dovato tablet once per day.
Long-term treatment
Dovato is meant to be taken as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Dovato is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
If you have questions about your Dovato dosage or treatment plan, talk with your doctor.
The Dovato dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- your liver function
- your kidney function
- other medications you may take with Dovato*
- other medical conditions you may have
If you have severe kidney or liver problems, your doctor will likely not prescribe the drug. They can recommend a different treatment option for your condition.
* To learn more about drugs that may affect your Dovato dosage, talk with your doctor.
Dovato comes as a tablet that you swallow whole. Do not crush or chew it. You can take Dovato with or without food.
If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERSSome pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Dovato in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.
If you miss a dose of Dovato, take it as soon as you remember. But do not take two doses at once to make up for the missed one. If you’re unsure what to do about a missed dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
It’s important that you do not take more Dovato than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose. For information about Dovato’s side effects, see this article.
If you take more than the recommended amount of Dovato
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Dovato. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
The dosage in this article is the typical dosage provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Dovato for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage your doctor prescribes.
As with any drug, never change your dosage of Dovato without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Dovato that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Dovato. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Dovato. For information about other aspects of Dovato, refer to this article.
- Side effects. To learn about side effects of Dovato, see this article. You can also look at the Dovato prescribing information.
- Drug comparison. Find out how Dovato compares with Biktarvy.
- Cost. If you’d like to learn about Dovato and cost, see this article.
- Details about your condition. For details about HIV, see our HIV and AIDS hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
