dolutegravir sodium at a glance
Medicine class
HIV integrase strand transfer inhibitor
Usual role
Part of combination antiretroviral treatment for HIV
Food
Usually taken with or without food; food is preferred when integrase resistance is present
Mineral products
Products containing magnesium, aluminium, calcium or iron can reduce absorption unless managed correctly
What is dolutegravir sodium used for?
Licensed for treating HIV infection with other antiretroviral medicines. Eligibility varies by formulation, age and weight.
Combination treatment of HIV infection in adults.
Combination treatment of HIV infection in eligible infants, children and adolescents.
How does dolutegravir sodium work?
HIV integrase inserts viral DNA into human cells. Dolutegravir blocks this step, limiting viral replication and helping combination treatment suppress HIV.
dolutegravir sodium preparations and strengths
Dispersible tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 5 mg
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 50 mg
How to take dolutegravir sodium
Follow your HIV clinic’s instructions and do not change formulation without advice.
It can generally be taken with or without food.
Dispersible tablets may be fully dispersed in drinking water or swallowed whole with water. Do not chew, cut or crush them.
Use a dispersed preparation within 30 minutes; otherwise discard it and prepare a fresh one.
Film-coated and dispersible tablets are not interchangeable milligram for milligram.
Check with the HIV team or pharmacist before using antacids, mineral supplements or multivitamins.
dolutegravir sodium side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Difficulty sleeping or abnormal dreams
- Dizziness
- Abdominal discomfort, vomiting or wind
- Tiredness
- Rash or itching
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction or rash with fever, facial swelling, blisters, mouth sores, breathing difficulty or systemic illness
- Liver injury, including yellow skin or eyes, dark urine or unexplained marked illness
- New or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts or attempted self-harm
- New or worsening inflammatory symptoms after treatment begins
dolutegravir sodium in pregnancy
Dolutegravir can be used during pregnancy when clinically needed. Current evidence does not show an increased risk of neural-tube defects. Discuss pregnancy, planned pregnancy and treatment changes promptly with the specialist HIV team; do not stop treatment without advice.
dolutegravir sodium while breastfeeding
Dolutegravir passes into breast milk in small amounts, and information about effects on infants is limited. In the UK, formula feeding is the safest option for avoiding postnatal HIV transmission. Anyone with sustained viral suppression who wishes to breastfeed should discuss early planning and close monitoring with the specialist perinatal HIV team.
dolutegravir sodium interactions
Ask the HIV team or pharmacist to check all prescribed, over-the-counter and herbal products before starting or stopping them.
Fampridine (dalfampridine)
Contraindicated because dolutegravir may increase fampridine exposure and seizure risk.
Magnesium- or aluminium-containing antacids
Can substantially reduce dolutegravir absorption and must be separated from it.
Common questions about dolutegravir sodium
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Does dolutegravir sodium cure HIV?
No. It suppresses HIV replication but does not remove the virus.
Can it be taken with food?
Usually, yes. Food is preferred when integrase resistance is present and affects how mineral supplements are managed.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.