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Dolutegravir

This form:

Pronounced

"DOE-loo-TEG-ra-vir"

Common brand names:

Tivicay

Uses

Dolutegravir is used with other HIV medications 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. Dolutegravir belongs to a class of drugs known as integrase inhibitors. It blocks the virus from growing and infecting more cells.

Dolutegravir 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.

Other Uses

This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.

This product may also be used to reduce the risk of getting HIV infection after contact with the virus (for example, due to a needle stick). Consult your doctor for more details.

How to Use This Medication

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking dolutegravir and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not change dosage forms of this medication without checking with your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually 1 to 2 times daily.

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 dolutegravir at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after these products. Or, if you take dolutegravir with food, you can take calcium or iron supplements at the same time.

The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, age, and other medications you may be taking. Children's dosage is also based on weight. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

It is very important to keep taking this medication (and other HIV medications) 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(s) every day.

Do not take more or less of this drug than prescribed or stop taking it (or other HIV medicines) 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.