dolutegravir vs metformin/empagliflozin
Side-by-side comparison of dolutegravir and metformin/empagliflozin. 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
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) ] .
Recommendation: Your doctor should monitor you closely and may need to lower your metformin dose.
Tivicay
Synjardy
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.
Synjardy is a drug that combines empagliflozin and metformin. It helps lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, along with diet and exercise.
TRIUMEQ treats HIV-1, the virus that causes AIDS. It helps to lower the amount of virus in your body. This medication can help your body fight infection and can improve your health.
Synjardy is used to treat type 2 diabetes in adults and children 10 years and older. It helps control blood sugar levels when used with diet and exercise. Empagliflozin, one of the drugs in Synjardy, can also lower the risk of heart-related death in adults with heart disease. It can also lower the risk of heart failure and kidney problems in adults with heart failure or chronic kidney disease.
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.
Synjardy contains two medicines that work in different ways. Empagliflozin helps your kidneys remove sugar from your blood through urine. Metformin lowers the amount of sugar your liver makes and helps your body use insulin better.
- • Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- • Headache
- • Feeling tired
- • Urinary tract infections
- • Yeast infections of the vagina
- • Diarrhea
- • Nausea
- • Vomiting
- Pain 1,425
- Anxiety 1,051
- Emotional Distress 1,048
- Anhedonia 942
- Chronic Kidney Disease 701
- Feeling sick to your stomach 21,946
- Loose or watery stools 21,887
- High blood sugar 18,329
- Feeling tired 17,252
- Sudden damage to the kidneys 16,440
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.
Metformin can cause a serious side effect called lactic acidosis. This is a buildup of lactic acid in your blood. It can be life-threatening. Get medical help right away if you have symptoms like feeling very weak, muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, dizziness, or a slow or irregular heartbeat.
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.
Synjardy may harm your unborn baby, especially during the second and third trimesters. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not recommended to breastfeed while taking Synjardy.
How to Read This dolutegravir vs metformin/empagliflozin Comparison
dolutegravir is classified in the Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitor drug class, while metformin/empagliflozin sits within the Biguanide / SGLT2 Combination 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 has 5,167 submissions while metformin/empagliflozin 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 specific pumps in the kidneys that remove metformin from the body. this can cause metformin levels to rise, increasing the risk of a dangerous acid buildup.. 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 and metformin/empagliflozin - 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.