Question
Can I use dolutegravir (Tivicay) without other drugs?
5 August 2024. Related: Access to treatment, All topics.
My doctor prescribed me Descovy (F/TAF) + Ticivay (dolutegravir) but the pharmacy only had Ticivay in stock. Is it ok to start taking Ticivay without Descovy?
Answer
Hi there
No, no, no.
Dolutegravir (Tivicay) needs to be used in a combination.
Usually this is with two other drugs – ie F/TAF in Decscovy.
Sometimes it is okay to use in some 2-drug combinations, such as with lamividine in a single pill called Dovato.
I am shocked that the pharmacist did not tell you this.
Please contact your doctor or clinic and explain what happened.
Dear Filipe, pls see this quide to PrEP about the 4-dose protection. Everything else here is a distraction.
https://i-base.info/uk-guide-to-prep/
I had a risky encounter on six days ago with an HIV-positive man. I later learned about his status and am unsure of his viral load. During the encounter, I didn’t use a condom. It was a spontaneous situation, and I was top, in a prolonged interaction.
I’ve been taking PrEP (Truvada) for two months and try to be consistent, but during the week of possible exposure, I missed three doses on alternate days. However, I did take PrEP on the two consecutive days leading up to the encounter. About 48 hours after the encounter, I woke up with tonsillitis and fever. Concerned, I started PEP (Truvada + Tivicay) about 70 hours post-exposure. Unfortunately, I went on a trip (to another county) and forgot my new bottle of Truvada. I only have a few pills left from last month’s supply, which will last until January 4. I have a full bottle of Tivicay, but I won’t be able to access more Truvada until January 7.
This means I’ll miss two days of Truvada, though I can continue taking Tivicay, but according to the answer of this post that’s not possible. Can I trust that the concentration of PrEP at the time of exposure provided sufficient protection?