Dovato (dolutegravir/lamivudine) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat HIV. The drug comes as a tablet that you swallow. It’s usually taken once per day.

Dovato is used to treat HIV in adults and certain children 12 years old and over who either:

  • haven’t taken other medications for HIV
  • would like to switch from another HIV medication, have a low viral load, and aren’t known to have drug-resistant HIV

Dovato comes as a single tablet that contains a combination of two HIV drugs: dolutegravir and lamivudine. They belong to the following antiretroviral drug groups:

This article describes Dovato’s dosage, as well as its strength and how to take it. To learn more, see this in-depth Dovato article.

This section describes the usual dosage of Dovato. Keep reading to learn more.

What is Dovato’s form?

Dovato is available as a tablet that you swallow.

What strength does Dovato come in?

Dovato comes in one strength: 50 milligrams (mg) of dolutegravir and 300 mg of lamivudine.

What is the usual dosage of Dovato?

The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for HIV

The recommended dosage of Dovato is one tablet per day. You can take Dovato with or without food.

Is Dovato used long term?

Yes, Dovato is usually used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

Dosage adjustments

Other medications you’re taking

Dolutegravir and lamivudine are the two drugs that make up the combination drug Dovato. Your doctor will likely recommend that you take an additional dose of dolutegravir if you take any of the following medications:

  • carbamazepine (Tegretol, Epitol, Teril, Equetro)
  • rifampin (Rimactane)

These medications can cause dolutegravir to be cleared from your body too quickly. Because of this, your doctor may recommend that you take 50 mg of dolutegravir 12 hours after your Dovato dose.

Other supplements you’re taking

Dovato can interact with certain medications and supplements if taken at the same time. Let your doctor know if you take any of the following medications or supplements:

Note: If you take calcium or iron supplements with food, no adjustment in timing is necessary.

Your doctor may recommend that you take Dovato at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after you’ve taken one of these supplements or medications.

Other medical conditions you may have

Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease or liver disease. Depending on the severity of your kidney or liver disease, your doctor may choose a different HIV treatment for you.

If your doctor prescribes Dovato for you, you’ll typically take one tablet per day. However, several factors may influence when you should take Dovato, whether Dovato is the safest choice for you, or whether you need to take an extra dose of dolutegravir (one of the drugs in Dovato). These factors include:

  • your age
  • other medications and supplements you’re taking
  • other health conditions you may have

Note: For more details, see the “Dosage adjustments” section on this page.

Dovato is a tablet that you swallow whole. You can take it with or without food.

Do not crush, chew, or split the tablet. If you have trouble taking tablets, check out this article for tips on swallowing pills.

For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal, see this in-depth Dovato article.

Accessible drug containers and labels

Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:

  • have large print
  • use braille
  • feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

Let your pharmacist know if you have trouble opening medication bottles. They may have tips to help, or they may be able to supply Dovato in an easy-open container.

If you miss a dose of Dovato, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip your missed dose and take your next dose at its regularly scheduled time. You should not take two doses of Dovato at once. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

It’s important not to miss doses of Dovato. Missing a dose can raise the risk of viral resistance. With viral resistance, the virus no longer responds to a drug that previously treated it effectively.

If you need help remembering to take your dose of Dovato on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

Do not take more Dovato than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.

What to do in case you take too much Dovato

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Dovato. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

The information on this page describes the usual Dovato dosage provided by the manufacturer. Your doctor will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

To learn more about Dovato, see these articles:

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.