dolutegravir
Brand names: Tivicay
TRIUMEQ is a drug that contains three medicines in one pill: dolutegravir, abacavir, and lamivudine. It is used to treat HIV-1 infection in adults and children.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$73.02/unit
Generic Available
No
VIIV HLTHCARE
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
TRIUMEQ treats HIV-1, the virus that causes AIDS.
Common side effects
Trouble sleeping (insomnia), Headache, Feeling tired
Key warnings
TRIUMEQ can cause serious allergic reactions.
How It Works
TRIUMEQ contains three drugs that each work differently to stop HIV from multiplying. Dolutegravir is an integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI). Abacavir and lamivudine are nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors.
How to Take It
Take one TRIUMEQ tablet every day. You can take it with or without food. For children weighing 6 kg to less than 25 kg, use TRIUMEQ PD tablets for oral suspension as directed by your doctor. Do not substitute TRIUMEQ tablets and TRIUMEQ PD tablets for oral suspension on a milligram-per-milligram basis.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. There is a pregnancy registry to monitor outcomes in people who take TRIUMEQ during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking TRIUMEQ during pregnancy.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of TRIUMEQ, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store TRIUMEQ tablets in the original bottle at room temperature (68°F to 77°F). Keep the bottle tightly closed and protect from moisture. Do not remove the desiccant.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 8,059 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 8,756 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2010–2025.
Total Reports
8,756
Death-Related Reports
865
Hospitalization Reports
1,908
Top Indication
Hiv Infection
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PAIN | 1,425 |
| 2 | ANXIETY | 1,051 |
| 3 | EMOTIONAL DISTRESS | 1,048 |
| 4 | ANHEDONIA | 942 |
| 5 | CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE | 701 |
| 6 | FATIGUE | 628 |
| 7 | EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY | 606 |
| 8 | HEADACHE | 566 |
| 9 | OFF LABEL USE | 553 |
| 10 | RENAL FAILURE | 539 |
| 11 | RASH | 487 |
| 12 | FOETAL EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY | 478 |
| 13 | PYREXIA | 445 |
| 14 | HYPERTENSION | 428 |
| 15 | OSTEOPOROSIS | 425 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
TRIUMEQ can cause serious allergic reactions. If you have a gene called HLA-B*5701, you are more likely to have an allergic reaction. You should be tested for this gene before taking TRIUMEQ. Symptoms can include fever, rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain. Some people can also experience liver problems or a heart attack.
Known Drug Interactions
Dolutegravir may increase plasma concentrations of drugs eliminated via OCT2 or MATE1 (dofetilide, dalfampridine, and metformin) [see Contraindications ( 4 ), Drug Interactions ( 7.3 )] . Other Agents Antiarrhythmic: Dofetilide ↑Dofetilide Coadministration is contraindicated with TRIUMEQ and TRIUMEQ PD [see Contraindications ( 4 )] .
Mechanism: Dolutegravir blocks the proteins in the kidneys that normally help remove dofetilide from the body. This causes the levels of dofetilide in your blood to rise.
What to do: Do not take these two medications together. Your doctor will need to find an alternative treatment.
Drugs that Reduce Metformin Clearance Clinical Impact Concomitant use of drugs that interfere with common renal tubular transport systems involved in the renal elimination of metformin (e.g., organic cationic transporter-2 [OCT2] / multidrug and toxin extrusion [MATE] inhibitors such as ranolazine, vandetanib, dolutegravir, and cimetidine) could increase systemic exposure to metformin and may increase the risk for lactic acidosis [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .
Mechanism: Dolutegravir blocks the kidneys from removing metformin from the body. This can cause metformin levels to rise, which increases the risk of a serious condition called lactic acidosis.
What to do: Your doctor may need to adjust your dose or monitor you more closely for side effects.
Drugs that Reduce Metformin Clearance Clinical Impact Concomitant use of drugs that interfere with common renal tubular transport systems involved in the renal elimination of metformin (e.g., organic cationic transporter-2 [OCT2] / multidrug and toxin extrusion [MATE] inhibitors such as ranolazine, vandetanib, dolutegravir, and cimetidine) could increase systemic exposure to metformin and may increase the risk for lactic acidosis [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .
Mechanism: Dolutegravir blocks the kidneys from filtering metformin out of your blood, which makes metformin levels rise. Higher levels of metformin increase the risk of a serious health problem called lactic acidosis.
What to do: Your doctor may need to lower your metformin dose or check your blood levels more often.
Drugs that Reduce Metformin Clearance Clinical Impact: The risk of lactic acidosis may increase due to concomitant use of drugs that interfere with common renal tubular transport systems involved in the renal elimination of metformin (e.g., organic cationic transporter-2 [OCT2] / multidrug and toxin extrusion [MATE] inhibitors such as ranolazine, vandetanib, dolutegravir, and cimetidine) which increase systemic exposure to metformin Intervention Consider the benefits and risks of concomitant use.
Mechanism: Dolutegravir blocks the kidneys from removing metformin from the body, which causes metformin levels to rise and increases the risk of side effects.
What to do: Your doctor should carefully consider the risks and benefits of using these two medications at the same time.
Drugs that Reduce Metformin Clearance Clinical Impact Concomitant use of drugs that interfere with common renal tubular transport systems involved in the renal elimination of metformin (e.g., organic cationic transporter-2 [OCT2] / multidrug and toxin extrusion [MATE] inhibitors such as ranolazine, vandetanib, dolutegravir, and cimetidine) could increase systemic exposure to metformin and may increase the risk for lactic acidosis [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .
Mechanism: Dolutegravir prevents your kidneys from removing metformin from your body. This can cause the drug to build up and increase the risk of a serious condition called lactic acidosis.
What to do: Your doctor may need to adjust your dose or monitor you more closely. Tell your doctor if you feel very weak, dizzy, or have trouble breathing.
Common Questions
Can I take TRIUMEQ if I am allergic to any of its ingredients?
Can I take TRIUMEQ if I have liver problems?
What should I do if I think I am having an allergic reaction to TRIUMEQ?
Can TRIUMEQ cure HIV?
Will TRIUMEQ prevent me from spreading HIV to others?
Can I take TRIUMEQ with other medications?
How often should I see my doctor while taking TRIUMEQ?
What tests should I have before starting TRIUMEQ?
Can I switch between TRIUMEQ tablets and TRIUMEQ PD tablets?
What do I do if I cannot swallow the TRIUMEQ tablet?
What are the common side effects of dolutegravir?
Does dolutegravir interact with other medications?
What drug class is dolutegravir?
Is dolutegravir safe during pregnancy?
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What the FDA Data Shows for dolutegravir
The FDA label for dolutegravir (sold under brand names such as Tivicay) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitor class. TRIUMEQ treats HIV-1, the virus that causes AIDS. Official labeling lists 3 commonly reported side effects, including Trouble sleeping (insomnia), Headache, Feeling tired.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 8,059 voluntary reports. The database also lists 28 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. NADAC pricing from CMS.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: July 8, 2024
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages