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dolutegravir/lamivudine vs metformin

Side-by-side comparison of dolutegravir/lamivudine and metformin. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

moderate Known Drug Interaction

7.2 Potential for DOVATO to Affect Other Drugs Dolutegravir, a component of DOVATO, inhibits the renal organic cation transporters (OCT)2 and multidrug and toxin extrusion transporter (MATE)1; thus, it may increase plasma concentrations of drugs eliminated via OCT2 or MATE1 such as dofetilide, dalfampridine, and metformin [see Contraindications ( 4 ), Drug Interactions ( 7.4 ), Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. Antidiabetic: Metformin a ↑Metformin Refer to the prescribing information for metformin for assessing the benefit and risk of concomitant use of DOVATO and metformin.

Recommendation: Talk to your doctor about the risks of this combination, as they may need to adjust your metformin treatment.

Drug Class
dolutegravir/lamivudine Integrase Inhibitor / NRTI Combination
metformin Biguanide
Type
dolutegravir/lamivudine Prescription
metformin Prescription
Summary
dolutegravir/lamivudine

Dovato is a complete HIV-1 treatment that combines two medicines into one tablet. It is used for adults and adolescents who weigh at least 55 pounds.

metformin

No summary available.

What It Treats
dolutegravir/lamivudine

Dovato is used to treat HIV-1 infection in adults and adolescents (12 years and older, weighing at least 55 pounds). It can be used if you have never taken HIV-1 medicines before. It can also be used to replace your current HIV-1 medicines if your virus is under control (HIV-1 RNA less than 50 copies/mL) and you have not had treatment failure or resistance to the medicines in Dovato.

metformin

Information not available.

How It Works
dolutegravir/lamivudine

Dovato contains two drugs: dolutegravir and lamivudine. Dolutegravir blocks HIV-1 integrase, an enzyme the virus needs to multiply. Lamivudine blocks reverse transcriptase, another enzyme HIV-1 needs to make copies of itself.

metformin

Information not available.

Common Side Effects
dolutegravir/lamivudine
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
  • Tiredness (fatigue)
metformin
  • Diarrhea
  • Upper respiratory tract infection (like a cold)
  • Headache
FAERS Reports
dolutegravir/lamivudine
  • Pain 1,425
  • Anxiety 1,051
  • Emotional Distress 1,048
  • Anhedonia 942
  • Chronic Kidney Disease 701
metformin
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 21,946
  • Loose or watery stools 21,887
  • High blood sugar 18,329
  • Feeling tired 17,252
  • Sudden kidney damage 16,440
Serious Warnings
dolutegravir/lamivudine

If you have both HIV-1 and hepatitis B, you should be tested for hepatitis B before starting Dovato. Using Dovato can cause the hepatitis B virus to become resistant to lamivudine. Stopping Dovato can also cause a severe worsening of hepatitis B. Your liver function should be checked regularly.

metformin

No specific warnings noted.

Pregnancy
dolutegravir/lamivudine

There is a pregnancy registry to monitor outcomes in people exposed to Dovato during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. There may be a risk of neural tube defects if dolutegravir is taken at the time of conception.

metformin

No pregnancy information available.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This dolutegravir/lamivudine vs metformin Comparison

dolutegravir/lamivudine is classified in the Integrase Inhibitor / NRTI Combination drug class, while metformin sits within the Biguanide class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, dolutegravir/lamivudine has 5,167 submissions while metformin has 95,854. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known moderate interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to dolutegravir blocks the proteins that help your kidneys remove metformin, which can lead to higher levels of metformin in your blood.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between dolutegravir/lamivudine and metformin - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.