Tivicay (dolutegravir) Tablets

Tivicay is a prescription HIV medicine that contains dolutegravir, used as part of combination antiretroviral therapy. This page explains practical basics on uses, dosage patterns, safety, and storage so you can review key details before placing a refill request. US shipping from Canada is available for cash-pay access for those without insurance, with prescriptions required.

For condition-level resources and related treatments, the HIV Condition Hub can help organize next steps and questions to bring to care.

What Tivicay Is and How It Works

Dolutegravir is an integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) (a medicine that blocks HIV from inserting genetic material into human cells). By targeting the viral integrase enzyme, it helps reduce HIV replication when used with other antiretroviral medicines. This treatment does not cure HIV, and it is not used alone; a complete regimen is selected by a clinician based on prior treatment history, resistance considerations, and other health factors.

Medicines are supplied through licensed Canadian partner pharmacies. Dolutegravir is part of the broader group of Antivirals Category, and it is commonly paired with nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) (medicines that block HIV copying). Because regimen design matters, product labeling and current clinical guidance are the best references for how dolutegravir fits into combination therapy.

Who It’s For

Dolutegravir is used to treat HIV-1 infection in adults and in pediatric patients when prescribed as part of combination antiretroviral therapy. Clinicians may consider factors such as viral resistance history, other medications, pregnancy status, and kidney or liver conditions before selecting an HIV regimen. People who are new to therapy and those switching from other regimens may be candidates, but the details depend on the full medication plan and lab results.

Contraindications and key exclusions should be reviewed on the official label. One important example is the interaction with dofetilide, a heart rhythm medicine, which is a contraindication for dolutegravir. Hypersensitivity (serious allergy) to dolutegravir or any tablet ingredient is also a reason it should not be used. For broader background language, the guide HIV Vs AIDS Difference may help clarify terms often used in clinic notes.

Dosage and Usage

Most regimens use once-daily dosing, but some situations require twice-daily dosing (for example, certain drug interactions or resistance patterns). The prescriber determines the schedule and companion medicines. The product label also addresses pediatric dosing, which is typically weight-based and may involve the dispersible formulation for smaller children who cannot swallow tablets.

In many adult regimens, the common reference point is Tivicay dosage 50 mg, but dosing can vary with the overall plan. Tablets may be taken with or without food, depending on the regimen and tolerability. Doses should be taken consistently to help keep the viral load suppressed and reduce the risk of resistance. Why it matters: Skipped or irregular dosing can make HIV harder to treat over time.

Dolutegravir is treatment, not prevention. If you are reading about prevention strategies like PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), the overview What Is PrEP can provide context; for emergency prevention discussions, see Biktarvy For PEP as a separate topic to review with a clinician.

Strengths and Forms

This medicine is available in more than one oral form, and availability can vary by market and pharmacy supply. Some people use film-coated tablets, while others may be prescribed pediatric dispersible tablets to help with swallowing or weight-based dosing needs. Packaging will list the strength, lot information, and the manufacturer shown for that specific product.

Common presentations discussed in practice include Tivicay 50 mg tablets and pediatric dispersible tablets (often 5 mg per dispersible tablet). Some pharmacies may also dispense generic dolutegravir 50 mg tablets when appropriate and permitted. The prescriber and the dispensing pharmacy determine what is suitable based on the prescription and local regulations.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store dolutegravir products at room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture, and keep the container tightly closed. Avoid storing tablets in a bathroom medicine cabinet if humidity is high. Keep all HIV medicines out of reach of children and pets, and check the expiration date before each refill cycle.

When traveling, carry doses in the original labeled container to reduce confusion at security checks and to keep the label available for reference. If you use more than one antiretroviral medicine, consider keeping a written list of product names and strengths in a separate place. Quick tip: Set a daily alarm that matches your home time zone, then adjust gradually after arrival.

If a dispersible formulation is used, follow the label for preparation and timing. Mixing directions can differ across products, and using the wrong liquid volume or delaying the dose after mixing can affect how much medicine is taken.

Side Effects and Safety

Many people tolerate dolutegravir well, but side effects can occur, especially when starting or switching regimens. Examples that may be reported include headache, insomnia, fatigue, nausea, and diarrhea. Some people notice mood changes or vivid dreams. Keeping notes about timing, meals, and other medicines can help a clinician assess whether symptoms are drug-related or caused by something else.

Serious reactions are less common but require urgent attention. These can include hypersensitivity reactions (such as rash with fever or organ symptoms), liver problems (such as jaundice, dark urine, or persistent abdominal pain), or worsening depression and suicidal thoughts in susceptible individuals. Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) (an inflammatory flare as the immune system recovers) can also occur after starting effective HIV therapy. Prescriptions are verified with prescribers before dispensing. For general wellness habits that sometimes come up during regimen changes, see Lifestyle Changes With Biktarvy as a broader discussion to review with care teams.

When reviewing Tivicay side effects, it is also useful to know that dolutegravir can cause a small increase in serum creatinine due to an effect on kidney tubular secretion; this may not reflect true kidney damage, but labs should be interpreted by a clinician. Pregnancy and breastfeeding considerations should be discussed with a healthcare professional, since recommendations can differ by guideline and personal circumstances.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Dolutegravir has clinically important interactions, so a complete medication list matters. Some interactions change dolutegravir levels in the body, while others raise the risk of side effects. Always include prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, vitamins, and herbals when reviewing a regimen. This is especially important when starting or stopping medicines used for tuberculosis, seizures, diabetes, or heart rhythm conditions.

Common interaction categories include:

• Polyvalent cations: antacids or supplements with magnesium, aluminum, calcium, or iron can reduce absorption.
• Enzyme inducers: some anticonvulsants, rifampin, and St. John’s wort may lower dolutegravir levels.
• Metformin: dose adjustments or monitoring may be needed with some combinations.
• Dofetilide: contraindicated combination due to risk of serious effects.

If another HIV medicine is being considered for a complex regimen, the overview Aptivus For HIV Overview can help frame why interaction checks are routine in HIV care.

Compare With Alternatives

Dolutegravir is one option within the INSTI class, and it is also used in fixed-dose combinations. Other single-tablet regimens and combinations may be chosen based on resistance history, kidney and bone considerations, hepatitis B status, pregnancy considerations, and tolerance. Clinicians also consider dosing frequency and potential interactions with supplements or acid reducers.

Examples that may come up in treatment discussions include bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide and dolutegravir/lamivudine, as well as other combinations such as dolutegravir/rilpivirine or abacavir/dolutegravir/lamivudine. For on-site references, see Biktarvy Product Page and Dovato Product Page. For plain-language background on one common single-tablet regimen, the resource Beginner’s Guide To Biktarvy may be useful to read alongside clinician guidance.

Pricing and Access

Out-of-pocket access varies by dose form, pharmacy source, and the rest of the regimen. If you are comparing Tivicay cost to other options, it can help to list the full combination regimen, since HIV treatment usually includes more than one antiretroviral medicine. A cash-pay option supports access for people without insurance. For site-level updates that may apply to eligible orders, see the Promotions Page.

To request a dispense through this platform, a valid prescription is required and the pharmacy team may confirm details with the prescriber. Refills typically require an active prescription on file, and substitutions between tablet and dispersible forms should only occur when the prescription allows it. Plan ahead for travel or regimen changes, and keep a current medication list available in case the prescriber needs to re-verify companion drugs.

Authoritative Sources

For the most reliable specifics on indications, contraindications, and interaction management, consult official labeling and established clinical references. These sources can also help clarify which patient populations were studied and what monitoring is recommended during routine HIV care.

Neutral starting points include the FDA’s regulatory record and the U.S. HIV guidelines drug information pages:

• FDA drug application overview for dolutegravir
• NIH ClinicalInfo patient drug record

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This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.