Uses
The combination of dolutegravir and lamivudine is used alone to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in certain people who have never been treated with any HIV medications before. Lamivudine is in a class of medications called nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and dolutegravir is in a class of medications called integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs). They work by decreasing the amount of HIV in your blood and increasing the number of immune cells that help fight infections in your body. Although dolutegravir and lamivudine will not cure HIV, these medications may decrease your chance of developing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and HIV-related illnesses such as serious infections or cancer. Taking these medications along with practicing safer sex and making other lifestyle changes may decrease the risk of getting or transmitting the HIV virus to other people.
Side Effects Of Dolutegravir and Lamivudine
Dolutegravir and lamivudine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- headache
- nausea
- diarrhea
- gas
- difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- tiredness
- muscle weakness
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS section, call your doctor immediately:
- yellowing of eyes or skin, abdominal pain, light-colored stools, dark-colored urine, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
- extreme tiredness or weakness, muscle pain, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, feeling cold especially in your arms and legs, dizziness, fast or irregular heartbeat
- rash (without any other symptoms)
- Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking dolutegravir and lamivudine and call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- hives, swelling of the face, throat, tongue, or lips, red or swollen eyes, difficulty swallowing or breathing
- rash along with any of the following symptoms; fever; flu-like symptoms; extreme tiredness; muscle or joint aches; peeling or blistering skin; sores or blisters in the mouth; or red, itchy, watery eyes,
Dolutegravir and lamivudine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before taking dolutegravir and lamivudine:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to dolutegravir, lamivudine, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in the dolutegravir and lamivudine tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor if you are taking dofetilide (Tikosyn). Your doctor will probably tell you not to take dolutegravir and lamivudine if you are taking this medication.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol, others), dalfampridine (Ampyra), metformin (Glumetza, Glucophage, Riomet, in Invokamet, in Janumet, others), oxcarbazepine (Oxtellar XR, Trileptal), phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater), and sorbitol or medications that contain sorbitol. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- if you are taking antacids or laxatives that contain aluminum or magnesium; sucralfate (Carafate); or buffered medications such as buffered aspirin, take them at least 2 hours after or 6 hours before you take dolutegravir and lamivudine.
- if you are taking iron or calcium supplements, or multivitamins that contain iron or calcium, take them at the same time that you take dolutegravir and lamivudine along with food, or take them at least 2 hours after or 6 hours before you take dolutegravir and lamivudine.
- tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John’s wort.
- tell your doctor if have or have ever had hepatitis C virus infection (HCV; an ongoing liver infection) or other liver diseases, or kidney disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. You will need to take a pregnancy test before you start treatment. You should not become pregnant while you are taking dolutegravir and lamivudine. Talk to your doctor about effective birth control methods that you can use during your treatment. If you become pregnant while taking dolutegravir and lamivudine, call your doctor immediately.
- tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed if you are infected with HIV or if you are taking dolutegravir and lamivudine.
- you should know that while you are taking medications to treat HIV infection, your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight other infections that were already in your body or cause other conditions to occur. This may cause you to develop symptoms of those infections or conditions. If you have new or worsening symptoms during your treatment with dolutegravir and lamivudine, be sure to tell your doctor.
Dosage Of Dolutegravir and Lamivudine
The combination of dolutegravir and lamivudine comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food once a day. Take dolutegravir and lamivudine at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take dolutegravir and lamivudine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it, or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Dolutegravir and lamivudine help to control HIV infection but do not cure it. Continue to take dolutegravir and lamivudine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking dolutegravir, and lamivudine without talking to your doctor. If you stop taking dolutegravir and lamivudine or miss doses, your condition may become more difficult to treat. When your supply of medication starts to run low, get more from your doctor or pharmacist.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.
Other
Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking the medication.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
Keep a supply of dolutegravir and lamivudine on hand. Do not wait until you run out of medication to refill your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
