References UK clinical guidance from the NHS, the British HIV Association (BHIVA), and the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH). Last updated: April 2026.
Dovato is a once-daily single tablet containing two HIV medicines: dolutegravir (an integrase inhibitor) and lamivudine (a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor). Unlike most modern single-tablet regimens, Dovato uses only two drugs instead of three, which can mean fewer long-term side effects and a smaller pill burden.
Dovato has been widely used in the UK for first-line treatment and for people switching from other regimens. Here’s what you need to know.
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How Dovato Works
| Ingredient | Class | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Dolutegravir 50mg | Integrase strand transfer inhibitor | Stops HIV integrating into CD4 cells |
| Lamivudine 300mg | NRTI | Blocks HIV reverse transcription |
Together these two drugs reliably suppress HIV replication in most people. Clinical trials showed Dovato was as effective as standard three-drug regimens in people starting treatment.
Who Can Take Dovato?
Dovato is suitable for:
- Adults starting HIV treatment for the first time
- People switching from another effective regimen with an undetectable viral load
It’s not recommended for people with hepatitis B co-infection, because lamivudine alone is not enough to treat hep B and can lead to hepatitis B resistance. It’s also avoided if you have known resistance to either drug.
How to Take It
Take one tablet once a day, with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Side Effects
Dovato is generally well tolerated. Possible side effects include:
- Headache
- Nausea or mild stomach upset (usually settles)
- Sleep disturbance or vivid dreams in a minority
- Mood changes
- Weight gain (associated with dolutegravir in some people)
- Rare allergic reactions
Why a Two-Drug Regimen?
Three-drug ART has been the standard for decades. Reducing to two drugs has potential advantages:
- Less exposure to long-term drug side effects
- Lower medication cost to the NHS
- Possible benefits for kidney and bone health compared to tenofovir-containing regimens
Dovato has shown non-inferior efficacy to three-drug regimens in clinical trials over several years of follow-up.
Drug Interactions
- Antacids, iron and calcium supplements — take Dovato 2 hours before or 6 hours after
- Some anticonvulsants — discuss with your HIV team
- Rifampicin — requires dose adjustment
- Metformin — dolutegravir can raise metformin levels
- St John’s Wort — avoid
Monitoring
Your HIV team will check viral load, CD4 count, kidney function and general health with regular blood tests. As with any regimen, consistency is key to keeping HIV suppressed.
Read more: What is HIV? | Biktarvy for HIV | HIV and the immune system
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dovato as effective as three-drug treatment?
Yes. Clinical trials have shown Dovato keeps HIV suppressed just as well as three-drug regimens in most people.
Can I take Dovato if I have hepatitis B?
No. Dovato is not suitable for people with hepatitis B co-infection because lamivudine alone is insufficient to treat hep B. Your HIV team will recommend a different regimen.
Does Dovato cause weight gain?
Some people gain weight on dolutegravir-based regimens. The reason isn’t fully understood and may involve the drug itself, improved health after starting treatment, and individual factors.
Related reading
- Choosing the Right PrEP Drug: Truvada vs Descovy
- Triumeq for HIV: A Straightforward Guide
- Efavirenz for HIV: An Older NNRTI Still in Use
- Eviplera: How This Anti-HIV Drug Works
- Darunavir (Prezista) for HIV: A Guide
Sources
- NHS — Sexual health conditions
- BASHH — UK clinical guidelines for STI management
- British HIV Association (BHIVA) — HIV treatment guidelines
- Terrence Higgins Trust — sexual health information
- UK Health Security Agency — STI surveillance data
Steve Page is a recognised expert on Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and STD treatments, having published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and presented his research at conferences around the world. He has an in-depth understanding of the latest medical research on STDs, and is an advocate for the development of new treatments and protocols to improve the health of those affected. In addition to his research, he has dedicated his career to understanding the causes and symptoms of STDs, as well as how to best treat those impacted.
