Dovato (dolutegravir/lamivudine) is a prescription oral tablet used to treat HIV in adults in certain situations. Dovato can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include headache and diarrhea.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects Dovato can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their Dovato treatment. Examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Dovato, visit MedWatch.

Mild side effects have been reported with Dovato. These include:

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop taking Dovato unless your doctor recommends it.

Dovato may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

* An allergic reaction is possible after taking Dovato, but it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in studies.

While rare, serious side effects are possible with Dovato. Serious side effects reported in the drug’s studies include:

If you develop serious side effects while taking Dovato, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
* An allergic reaction is possible after taking Dovato, but it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in studies.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Dovato’s side effects.

How do side effects of Dovato compare with those of Biktarvy?

Dovato and Biktarvy are prescribed to treat HIV in adults in certain situations. Side effects of these two drugs are similar.

Common side effects of both drugs include diarrhea, headache, and nausea. And although it’s rare, both drugs can cause liver problems, including liver damage. But unlike Dovato, Biktarvy can also cause kidney problems or damage in rare cases.

Dovato and Biktarvy have a boxed warning for the risk of worsening hepatitis B. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

To learn more about how Dovato and Biktarvy compare, check out this article or talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can Dovato cause weight gain or weight loss?

It’s not known for certain, but weight changes may be possible with Dovato.

In studies, people taking Dovato didn’t report weight gain or loss as a side effect. But weight gain has happened in people taking lamivudine or dolutegravir (the active ingredients* in Dovato) as part of an HIV treatment plan. It’s not known how much (if any) part these drugs (or other factors) played in causing weight gain in these cases.

Let your doctor know if you have concerns about your weight while taking Dovato. They can suggest ways to help you maintain a moderate weight.

* An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

Learn more about some of the side effects Dovato may cause.

Risk of lamivudine-resistant HBV

Dovato has a boxed warning about the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) that’s resistant to certain drugs. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

According to reports, lamivudine (one of Dovato’s two active ingredients) can make HBV infection harder to treat in people with this condition. It’s not known whether Dovato is safe or effective for people with HIV and HBV. The drug hasn’t been studied in people with both conditions.

What might help

Your doctor should test you for HBV before prescribing Dovato for you. If you have HBV, they’ll likely discuss treatment options with you. They may also suggest an HIV treatment besides Dovato.

Risk of worsening hepatitis B

Dovato has a boxed warning about the risk of worsening hepatitis B. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

People with HBV infection who stop taking lamivudine to treat HIV have experienced worsening hepatitis B, according to reports. (Lamivudine is one of the two active ingredients in Dovato.)

Symptoms of worsening HBV include:

What might help

Your doctor should test you for HBV before prescribing Dovato. If you have HBV and are prescribed this drug, your doctor will closely monitor you for side effects if you need to stop taking Dovato. They may prescribe treatment for HBV if your condition shows signs of worsening after stopping this medication.

If you have HBV, do not stop taking Dovato without first speaking with your doctor. If you both agree you’ll stop treatment, your doctor will likely want to closely monitor your liver function for some time after you’ve stopped taking Dovato.

Immune reconstitution syndrome

According to studies, treatment with Dovato can cause immune reconstitution syndrome in rare cases. This is an overactive response by your immune system.

Symptoms of immune reconstitution syndrome can mimic those of an infection. They may also resemble symptoms of an autoimmune condition, including autoimmune hepatitis. Symptoms of immune reconstitution syndrome include:

Infection-like symptoms caused by immune reconstitution syndrome are more likely to occur when you first start taking Dovato. But the syndrome can occur at any time during treatment.

What might help

Contact your doctor right away if you develop symptoms of immune reconstitution syndrome while taking Dovato. They can review your symptoms and recommend the best treatment for them.

Depression or suicidal thoughts

Although rare, Dovato can cause depression or suicidal thoughts, according to the drug’s studies. These reactions mostly occurred in people with preexisting depression or other mental health conditions. But anyone taking Dovato is at risk of these side effects.

Symptoms of depression include:

  • loss of interest in activities or hobbies you usually enjoy
  • feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
  • concentration or memory difficulties
  • thoughts of harming yourself

What might help

Immediately call your doctor if you notice symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts. They can recommend the best treatment for your symptoms. This may include stopping Dovato and exploring other treatments for HIV.

In the United States, you can also get help by calling or texting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Dovato can cause an allergic reaction in some people. It’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in studies. Allergic reactions to lamuvidine and dolutegravir (the two active ingredients in Dovato) have been reported in rare cases.

Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin (usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet)
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:

  • an antihistamine you swallow, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • a product you apply to your skin, such as hydrocortisone cream

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Dovato, they’ll decide whether you should continue taking it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Dovato, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Dovato treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Taking notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Dovato affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

There are important warnings to consider before starting Dovato.

Boxed warnings

Dovato has boxed warnings about the risk of worsening hepatitis B and lamivudine-resistant hepatitis B virus (HBV). Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Risk of worsening hepatitis B. If you have HIV and HBV infections, taking lamivudine can make the HBV infection harder to treat. (Lamivudine is one of the active drugs in Dovato.)

Risk of lamivudine-resistant HBV. HBV infection may be worsened in people who already have the infection and stop taking lamivudine to treat HIV. (Lamivudine is one of the active drugs in Dovato.)

To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section above.

Other warnings

Dovato may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether this drug is a good treatment option for you. Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Dovato. Factors to consider include those described below.

Kidney problems. Depending on the severity of your kidney problem, Dovato may not be safe for you to take. Be sure to tell your doctor about any kidney condition you have, such as chronic kidney disease, before starting Dovato. Your doctor can determine whether this drug is safe for you, depending on how well your kidneys function.

Liver problem besides hepatitis. It’s not known whether it’s safe to take Dovato if you have a serious liver problem besides hepatitis, such as cirrhosis. Talk with your doctor to learn whether your liver is healthy enough for treatment with Dovato.

Taking the heart drug dofetilide. Doctors will usually avoid prescribing Dovato and the heart rhythm drug dofetilide together. Taking these medications together increases the risk of serious, possibly life threatening, side effects dofetilide can cause. Your doctor can review safer treatments with you instead.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Dovato or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe it for you. Ask them about other medications that might be better options.

Alcohol and Dovato

There’s no known direct interaction between Dovato and alcohol. However, alcohol and Dovato can cause some similar side effects such as diarrhea, headache, and liver problems. Liver problems caused by Dovato or alcohol can be serious in rare cases. Combining Dovato and alcohol can increase your risk of these side effects, including the risk that they’re severe.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much, if any, is safe to consume while taking Dovato.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding with Dovato

Taking Dovato during pregnancy usually isn’t recommended, unless other treatments for HIV aren’t available or safe for you.

Dolutegravir may cause problems with fetal development (commonly known as birth defects) when taken during pregnancy. (Dolutegravir is one of two active drugs in Dovato.) This risk is highest if Dovato is taken within the first trimester (weeks 0–13) of pregnancy.

If you and your doctor agree that you’ll take Dovato while you’re pregnant, consider joining the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry. (Dovato is an antiretroviral drug, which means it treats HIV.) A pregnancy registry allows healthcare professionals to collect information about a drug’s safety when taken during pregnancy. You can learn more or sign up by calling 800-258-4263.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you should not breastfeed your child if you have HIV. (Dovato is prescribed to treat HIV.) This virus can be transmitted to a child through breast milk. Talk with your doctor about other feeding options for your child instead.

Like most medications, Dovato can cause side effects, though they aren’t common with this drug. Most that do occur are mild and should go away on their own. However, Dovato can cause serious side effects in rare cases. And having certain medical conditions increases your risk of certain serious side effects.

If you have questions about side effects Dovato can cause, talk with your doctor. Examples of questions to help get you started include:

  • How do side effects of Dovato compare with other drugs used to treat HIV?
  • Do any of the other medications I take interact with Dovato and increase my risk of side effects?
  • Does my dosage of the drug affect my risk of side effects?
  • Does my risk of side effects from Dovato decrease as I continue taking it?

To learn more about Dovato, see these articles:

To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.

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.