Dolutegravir and Emtricitabine and tenofovir interaction
Dolutegravir and Emtricitabine and tenofovir: both prescribing labels describe an interaction that usually calls for monitoring, a dose change, or spacing the doses.
Usually manageable with monitoring or a dose change. Tell your pharmacist you take both.
What the FDA labels say
From the Dolutegravir (Tivicay) label · effective 2026-05-22
…following drugs can be coadministered with dolutegravir without a dose adjustment: atazanavir/ritonavir, darunavir/ritonavir, elbasvir/grazoprevir, methadone, midazolam, omeprazole, oral contraceptives containing norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol, prednisone, rifabutin, rilpivirine, sofosbuvir/velpatasvir, and tenofovir [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] .
…dolutegravir exposures observed in INSTI-experienced patients (with certain INSTI-associated resistance substitutions or clinically suspected INSTI resistance [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )] ) upon coadministration with certain inducers may result in loss of therapeutic effect and development of resistance to TIVICAY or other coadministered antiretroviral agents.
However, in vivo, dolutegravir did not alter the plasma concentrations of tenofovir or para-amino hippurate, substrates of OAT1 and OAT3.
From the Emtricitabine and tenofovir (DESCOVY) label · effective 2026-07-07
Lactic Acidosis/Severe Hepatomegaly with Steatosis Lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, including fatal cases, have been reported with the use of nucleoside analogs, including emtricitabine, a component of DESCOVY, and tenofovir DF, another prodrug of tenofovir, alone or in combination with other antiretrovirals.
…interactions have been either observed or are expected when DESCOVY is combined with the following antiretroviral agents: atazanavir with ritonavir, atazanavir with cobicistat (in those weighing ≥35 kg), darunavir with ritonavir or cobicistat, dolutegravir, efavirenz, ledipasvir, lopinavir/ritonavir, maraviroc, nevirapine, raltegravir, rilpivirine, and sofosbuvir.
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Open in the checkerNot medical advice. Interaction Checker quotes FDA label text and NIH fact sheets. Whether an interaction matters for you depends on doses, timing, kidney and liver function, and other conditions. Confirm with a pharmacist or prescriber.