dolutegravir sodium + lamivudine at a glance
Medicine class
An integrase inhibitor combined with a nucleoside analogue reverse-transcriptase inhibitor.
Licensed role
Treatment of HIV-1 when integrase-inhibitor or lamivudine resistance is not known or suspected.
Food
The tablet can be taken with or without food.
Specialist care
Treatment is prescribed and monitored by clinicians experienced in managing HIV.
What is dolutegravir sodium + lamivudine used for?
Licensed for:
HIV-1 infection in adults and adolescents over 12 years who weigh at least 40 kg, provided resistance to integrase inhibitors or lamivudine is not known or suspected.
How does dolutegravir sodium + lamivudine work?
Dolutegravir blocks HIV integrase, preventing viral DNA from being inserted into human-cell DNA. Lamivudine interrupts viral DNA production by reverse transcriptase. Together they reduce HIV replication and help preserve immune function.
dolutegravir sodium + lamivudine preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 50 mg + 300 mg
How to take dolutegravir sodium + lamivudine
Swallow the film-coated tablet with liquid, following instructions from the HIV team. It may be taken with or without food. Ask a pharmacist about antacids, mineral supplements, multivitamins, herbal products and new medicines because some require separation or specialist review.
dolutegravir sodium + lamivudine side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
- Wind or abdominal discomfort
- Insomnia, abnormal dreams, dizziness or drowsiness
- Anxiety or depression
- Rash or itching
- Tiredness
- Muscle or joint pain
- Weight gain
Get urgent medical advice
- Hypersensitivity, including rash with fever, facial swelling, mouth lesions or breathing difficulty
- Liver inflammation or failure
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviour, particularly with previous psychiatric illness
- Pancreatitis
- Severe muscle breakdown
- Lactic acidosis
dolutegravir sodium + lamivudine in pregnancy
Dolutegravir and lamivudine may be used during pregnancy when clinically needed. Current evidence does not show an increased neural-tube-defect risk from dolutegravir, although experience with this exact combination is more limited. Discuss pregnancy or plans to conceive promptly with the specialist HIV team.
dolutegravir sodium + lamivudine while breastfeeding
Dolutegravir and lamivudine can enter breast milk. UK guidance describes formula feeding as the safest option because effective treatment does not completely eliminate HIV transmission through breast milk. Anyone considering breastfeeding should discuss this early with specialist HIV and maternity teams because close monitoring is required.
dolutegravir sodium + lamivudine interactions
Important examples include:
Fampridine or dalfampridine
Contraindicated because dolutegravir may increase fampridine exposure and seizure risk.
Magnesium- or aluminium-containing antacids
They substantially reduce dolutegravir absorption and must be separated from the tablet.
Calcium, iron or magnesium supplements
They can reduce dolutegravir absorption when fasting; food permits simultaneous administration.
Common questions about dolutegravir sodium + lamivudine
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is this combination used for?
It treats HIV-1 in suitable adults and adolescents without known or suspected resistance to integrase inhibitors or lamivudine.
Does it cure HIV?
No. It suppresses HIV replication, and ongoing specialist monitoring remains necessary.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.