Dovato (dolutegravir/lamivudine) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat HIV. Dovato’s cost may depend on factors such as the pharmacy you use and whether you have health insurance.

Dovato is used to treat HIV in adults who:

Dovato comes as a tablet that you swallow. Its active ingredients are dolutegravir and lamivudine. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

For more details on Dovato, see this in-depth article.

The price you pay for Dovato can vary. Your cost may depend on your health insurance coverage (if you have it), the pharmacy you use, and whether there are any patient support programs or coupons available.

To find out how much you’ll pay for Dovato, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Dovato. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Dovato in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Dovato requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.

Be sure to ask your insurance company whether Dovato requires prior authorization.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Dovato and cost.

How does the cost of Dovato compare with the cost of Biktarvy?

What you’ll pay for Dovato or Biktarvy will depend on your health insurance coverage (if you have it), the pharmacy you use, and whether there are any patient support programs or coupons available.

If you have insurance, it’s likely that your copay for either medication will be the same. Talk with your insurance provider if you’d like more information about how much Dovato or Biktarvy will cost.

If you don’t have insurance, the out-of-pocket cost for Dovato or Biktarvy will depend on the pharmacy you use. Your pharmacist can answer any questions you have about Dovato’s or Biktarvy’s cost.

Finally, the drug manufacturers may offer copay coupons, savings cards, or other patient support programs. Depending on what they offer, one drug may cost less than the other. You can find out more about these programs on the websites for Dovato and Biktarvy.

Is there a coupon available for Dovato?

There isn’t a coupon available for Dovato, but the drug manufacturer does participate in ViiVConnect. In addition to a patient assistance program, ViiVConnect offers a savings card.

If you’re not eligible for this program, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may know about other ways for you to save money on Dovato.

Dovato is a combination drug that contains the active ingredients* dolutegravir and lamivudine. Dovato is available only as a brand-name drug. It isn’t currently available in a generic version. A generic version would contain exact copies of the two active ingredients.

On their own, dolutegravir and lamivudine are available as generic drugs. But a generic version containing both drugs is not available.

* An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?

Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The drug manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug for up to 20 years. After that, other drug manufacturers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.

If you take Dovato long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:

Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Dovato if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of Dovato. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for Dovato. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need help covering the cost of Dovato or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you still have questions about the cost of Dovato, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for Dovato.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:

  • Are there other lower-cost drugs that could treat my condition?
  • What are my options if I can’t afford my medication?
  • Will the quantity of Dovato I receive affect the cost?

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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.