WARNINGS
Included as part of the "PRECAUTIONS" Section
PRECAUTIONS
Patients Co-Infected With HIV-1 And HBV
Emergence Of Lamivudine-Resistant HBV And The Risk Of Posttreatment Exacerbations Of HBV
All patients with HIV-1 should be tested for the presence of HBV prior to or when initiating DOVATO.
Emergence of Lamivudine-Resistant HBV
Safety and efficacy of lamivudine have not been established for treatment of chronic HBV in subjects dually infected with HIV-1 and HBV. Emergence of HBV variants associated with resistance to lamivudine has been reported in HIV-1–infected subjects who have received lamivudine-containing antiretroviral regimens in the presence of concurrent infection with HBV. If a decision is made to administer DOVATO to patients co-infected with HIV-1 and HBV, additional treatment should be considered for appropriate treatment of chronic HBV; otherwise, consider an alternative regimen.
Severe Acute Exacerbations of HBV in Patients Co-infected with HIV-1 and HBV
Severe acute exacerbations of HBV have been reported in patients who are co-infected with HIV-1 and HBV and have discontinued products containing lamivudine, and may occur with discontinuation of DOVATO. Patients who are co-infected with HIV-1 and HBV who discontinue DOVATO should be closely monitored with both clinical and laboratory follow-up for at least several months after stopping treatment with DOVATO. If appropriate, initiation of anti-HBV therapy may be warranted, especially in patients with advanced liver disease or cirrhosis, since posttreatment exacerbation of hepatitis may lead to hepatic decompensation and liver failure.
Hypersensitivity Reactions
Hypersensitivity reactions have been reported with the use of dolutegravir, a component of DOVATO, and were characterized by rash, constitutional findings, and sometimes organ dysfunction, including liver injury. These events were reported in <1% of subjects receiving dolutegravir in Phase 3 clinical trials.
Discontinue DOVATO immediately if signs or symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions develop (including, but not limited to, severe rash or rash accompanied by fever, general malaise, fatigue, muscle or joint aches, blisters or peeling of the skin, oral blisters or lesions, conjunctivitis, facial edema, hepatitis, eosinophilia, angioedema, difficulty breathing). Clinical status, including liver aminotransferases, should be monitored and appropriate therapy initiated. Delay in stopping treatment with DOVATO or other suspect agents after the onset of hypersensitivity may result in a life-threatening reaction [see CONTRAINDICATIONS].
Hepatotoxicity
Hepatic adverse events have been reported in patients receiving a dolutegravir-containing regimen [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. Patients with underlying hepatitis B or C may be at increased risk for worsening or development of transaminase elevations with use of DOVATO [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. In some cases, the elevations in transaminases were consistent with immune reconstitution syndrome or HBV reactivation particularly in the setting where anti-hepatitis therapy was withdrawn. Cases of hepatic toxicity, including elevated serum liver biochemistries, hepatitis, and acute liver failure, have also been reported in patients receiving a dolutegravir-containing regimen who had no pre-existing hepatic disease or other identifiable risk factors. Drug-induced liver injury leading to liver transplant has been reported with TRIUMEQ (abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine). Monitoring for hepatotoxicity is recommended.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
Preliminary data from an observational study showed that dolutegravir, a component of DOVATO, was associated with increased risk of neural tube defects when administered at the time of conception and in early pregnancy. As there is limited understanding of reported types of neural tube defects associated with dolutegravir use and because the date of conception may not be determined with precision, avoid use of DOVATO at the time of conception through the first trimester of pregnancy [see Use In Specific Populations].
If there are plans to become pregnant or if pregnancy is confirmed within the first trimester while on DOVATO, if possible, switch to an alternative regimen.
Perform pregnancy testing before initiation of DOVATO in individuals of childbearing potential to exclude use of DOVATO during the first trimester of pregnancy [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
Advise individuals of childbearing potential to consistently use effective contraception [see Use In Specific Populations].
Lactic Acidosis And Severe Hepatomegaly With Steatosis
Lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, including fatal cases, have been reported with the use of nucleoside analogues, including lamivudine (a component of DOVATO). A majority of these cases have been in women. Female sex and obesity may be risk factors for the development of lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis in patients treated with antiretroviral nucleoside analogues. Monitor closely when administering DOVATO to any patient with known risk factors for liver disease. Treatment with DOVATO should be suspended in any patient who develops clinical or laboratory findings suggestive of lactic acidosis or pronounced hepatotoxicity, which may include hepatomegaly and steatosis even in the absence of marked transaminase elevations.
Risk Of Adverse Reactions Or Loss Of Virologic Response Due To Drug Interactions
The coadministration of DOVATO and other drugs may result in known or potentially significant drug interactions, some of which may lead to [see CONTRAINDICATIONS , DRUG INTERACTIONS]:
- Loss of therapeutic effect of DOVATO and possible development of resistance.
- Possible clinically significant adverse reactions from greater exposures of coadministered drugs.
See Table 5 for steps to prevent or manage these possible and known significant drug interactions, including dosing recommendations. Consider the potential for drug interactions prior to and during therapy with DOVATO; review coadministered drugs during therapy with DOVATO; and monitor for the adverse reactions associated with the coadministered drugs.
Immune Reconstitution Syndrome
Immune reconstitution syndrome has been reported in patients treated with combination antiretroviral therapy, including DOVATO. During the initial phase of combination antiretroviral treatment, patients whose immune systems respond may develop an inflammatory response to indolent or residual opportunistic infections (such as Mycobacterium avium infection, cytomegalovirus, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia [PCP], or tuberculosis), which may necessitate further evaluation and treatment.
Autoimmune disorders (such as Graves’ disease, polymyositis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome) have also been reported to occur in the setting of immune reconstitution; however, the time to onset is more variable, and can occur many months after initiation of treatment.
Patient Counseling Information
Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (PATIENT INFORMATION).
Emergence Of Lamivudine-Resistant HBV In Hepatitis B Co-Infection
Advise all patients with HIV-1 to be tested for the presence of HBV prior to or when initiating DOVATO. Advise patients co-infected with HIV-1 and HBV that emergence of HBV variants associated with resistance to lamivudine has been reported in HIV-1–infected subjects who have received lamivudine-containing antiretroviral regimens. Advise patients co-infected with HIV-1 and HBV who are being treated with DOVATO to discuss with their healthcare provider if additional treatment should be considered for appropriate treatment of chronic HBV [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Severe Acute Exacerbations Of Hepatitis In Patients With HBV Co-Infection
Advise all patients with HIV-1 to be tested for the presence of HBV prior to or when initiating DOVATO. Advise patients co-infected with HIV-1 and HBV that worsening of liver disease has occurred in some cases when treatment with lamivudine was discontinued. Advise patients to discuss any changes in regimen with their healthcare provider [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Hypersensitivity Reactions
Advise patients to immediately contact their healthcare provider if they develop a rash. Instruct patients to immediately stop taking DOVATO and seek medical attention if they develop a rash associated with any of the following symptoms, as it may be a sign of a more serious reaction such as severe hypersensitivity: fever; generally ill feeling; extreme tiredness; muscle or joint aches; blisters or peeling of the skin; oral blisters or lesions; eye inflammation; facial swelling; swelling of the eyes, lips, tongue, or mouth; breathing difficulty; and/or signs and symptoms of liver problems (e.g., yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes; dark or tea-colored urine; pale-colored stools or bowel movements; nausea; vomiting; loss of appetite; or pain, aching, or sensitivity on the right side below the ribs). Advise patients that if hypersensitivity occurs, they will be closely monitored, laboratory tests will be ordered, and appropriate therapy will be initiated [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Hepatotoxicity
Inform patients that hepatotoxicity has been reported with dolutegravir, a component of DOVATO [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS , ADVERSE REACTIONS]. Inform patients that monitoring for hepatotoxicity during therapy with DOVATO is recommended.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
Advise individuals of childbearing potential to avoid use of DOVATO at the time of conception through the first trimester of pregnancy. Advise individuals of childbearing potential to contact their healthcare provider if they plan to become pregnant, become pregnant, or if pregnancy is suspected during treatment with DOVATO [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Advise individuals of childbearing potential taking DOVATO to consistently use effective contraception [see Use In Specific Populations].
Lactic Acidosis/Hepatomegaly With Steatosis
Inform patients that some HIV medicines, including DOVATO, can cause a rare, but serious condition called lactic acidosis with liver enlargement (hepatomegaly) [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Drug Interactions
DOVATO may interact with many drugs; therefore, advise patients to report to their healthcare provider the use of any other prescription or nonprescription medication or herbal products, including St. John’s wort [see CONTRAINDICATIONS , WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS , DRUG INTERACTIONS].
Immune Reconstitution Syndrome
Advise patients to inform their healthcare provider immediately of any signs and symptoms of infection as inflammation from previous infection may occur soon after combination antiretroviral therapy, including DOVATO, is started [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Pregnancy Registry
Inform patients that there is an antiretroviral pregnancy registry to monitor fetal outcomes in those exposed to DOVATO during pregnancy [see Use In Specific Populations].
Lactation
Instruct mothers with HIV-1 infection not to breastfeed because HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in the breast milk [see Use In Specific Populations].
Missed Dose
Instruct patients that if they miss a dose of DOVATO, to take it as soon as they remember. Advise patients not to double their next dose or take more than the prescribed dose [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
DOVATO, EPIVIR, TIVICAY, and TRIUMEQ are trademarks owned by or licensed to the ViiV Healthcare group of companies.
The other brand listed is a trademark owned by or licensed to its respective owner and is not owned by or licensed to the ViiV Healthcare group of companies. The maker of this brand is not affiliated with and does not endorse the ViiV Healthcare group of companies or its products.
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
Carcinogenicity
Dolutegravir
Two-year carcinogenicity studies in mice and rats were conducted with dolutegravir. Mice were administered doses of up to 500 mg/kg, and rats were administered doses of up to 50 mg/kg. In mice, no significant increases in the incidence of drug-related neoplasms were observed at the highest doses tested, resulting in dolutegravir AUC exposures approximately 26 times higher than those in humans at the recommended dose. In rats, no increases in the incidence of drug-related neoplasms were observed at the highest dose tested, resulting in dolutegravir AUC exposures 17 times higher than those in humans at the recommended dose.
Lamivudine
Long-term carcinogenicity studies with lamivudine in mice and rats showed no evidence of carcinogenic potential at exposures up to 12 times (mice) and 57 times (rats) the human exposures at the recommended dose.
Mutagenicity
Dolutegravir
Dolutegravir was not genotoxic in the bacterial reverse mutation assay, in a mouse lymphoma assay, or in the in vivo rodent micronucleus assay.
Lamivudine
Lamivudine was mutagenic in an L5178Y mouse lymphoma assay and clastogenic in a cytogenetic assay using cultured human lymphocytes. Lamivudine was not mutagenic in a microbial mutagenicity assay, in an in vitro cell transformation assay, in a rat micronucleus test, in a rat bone marrow cytogenetic assay, and in an assay for unscheduled DNA synthesis in rat liver.
Impairment Of Fertility
Dolutegravir or lamivudine did not affect male or female fertility in rats at doses associated with exposures approximately 44 or 112 times, respectively, higher than the exposures in humans at the recommended dose.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Exposure Registry
There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in individuals exposed to DOVATO during pregnancy. Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients by calling the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry (APR) at 1-800-258-4263.
Risk Summary
Preliminary data from an observational study have identified a possible increased risk of neural tube defects when dolutegravir, a component of DOVATO, is administered at the time of conception compared with non-dolutegravir-containing antiretroviral regimens. As defects related to closure of the neural tube occur from conception through the first 6 weeks of gestation, embryos exposed to dolutegravir from the time of conception through the first 6 weeks of gestation are at potential risk. In addition, 2 of the 4 birth defects (encephalocele and iniencephaly) that have been observed with dolutegravir use, although often termed neural tube defects, may occur post-neural tube closure, the time period of which may be later than 6 weeks of gestation, but within the first trimester. Due to the limited understanding of the types of reported neural tube defects associated with dolutegravir use and because the date of conception may not be determined with precision, avoid use of DOVATO at the time of conception through the first trimester of pregnancy. No neural tube defects have been reported in infants born to mothers who have started dolutegravir after the first trimester of pregnancy (see Data).
If there are plans to become pregnant or if pregnancy is confirmed while on DOVATO during the first trimester, if possible, switch to an alternative regimen. Advise pregnant individuals of the potential risk to the embryo exposed to DOVATO from the time of conception through the first trimester of pregnancy.
There are insufficient human data on the use of DOVATO during pregnancy to definitively assess a drug-associated risk for birth defects and miscarriage. The background risk for major birth defects for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background rate for major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.
In animal reproduction studies, no evidence of adverse developmental outcomes was observed with dolutegravir at systemic exposures (AUC) less than (rabbits) and 50 times (rats) the exposure in humans at the recommended human dose (RHD) (see Data). Oral administration of lamivudine to pregnant rabbits during organogenesis resulted in embryolethality at systemic exposure (AUC) similar to the RHD; however, no adverse developmental effects were observed with oral administration of lamivudine to pregnant rats during organogenesis at plasma concentrations (Cmax) 35 times the RHD (see Data).
Data
Human Data
Dolutegravir
As of May 2018, in an ongoing birth outcome surveillance study in Botswana, there have been 4 cases of neural tube defects reported out of 426 births (0.94%) to mothers who were exposed to dolutegravir-containing regimens at the time of conception. In comparison, the neural tube defect prevalence rates were 0.12% (14/11,300) in the non-dolutegravir arm and 0.09% (61/66,057) in the HIV-uninfected arm. Four cases reported with dolutegravir included one case each of encephalocele, anencephaly, myelomeningocele, and iniencephaly. No infant born to a woman who started dolutegravir during pregnancy had a neural tube defect (n = 2,812).
Data analyzed to date from other sources including the APR, clinical trials, and postmarketing data are insufficient to address the risk of neural tube defects with dolutegravir.
Lamivudine
Based on prospective reports to the APR of over 12,000 exposures to lamivudine during pregnancy resulting in live births (including over 5,000 exposed in the first trimester), there was no difference between the overall risk of birth defects for lamivudine compared with the background birth defect rate of 2.7% in the U.S. reference population of the MACDP. The prevalence of defects in live births was 3.0% (95% CI: 2.6% to 3.5%) following first trimester exposure to lamivudine-containing regimens and 2.9% (95% CI: 2.5%, 3.3%) following second/third trimester exposure to lamivudine-containing regimens.
Lamivudine pharmacokinetics were studied in pregnant women during 2 clinical trials conducted in South Africa. The trials assessed pharmacokinetics in 16 women at 36 weeks’ gestation using lamivudine 150 mg twice daily with zidovudine, 10 women at 38 weeks’ gestation using lamivudine 150 mg twice daily with zidovudine, and 10 women at 38 weeks’ gestation using lamivudine 300 mg twice daily without other antiretrovirals. These trials were not designed or powered to provide efficacy information. Lamivudine concentrations were generally similar in maternal, neonatal, and umbilical cord serum samples. In a subset of subjects, amniotic fluid specimens were collected following natural rupture of membranes and confirmed that lamivudine crosses the placenta in humans. Based on limited data at delivery, median (range) amniotic fluid concentrations of lamivudine were 3.9-fold (1.2- to 12.8-fold) greater compared with paired maternal serum concentration (n = 8).
Animal Data
Dolutegravir
Dolutegravir was administered orally to pregnant rats and rabbits (up to 1,000 mg/kg/day) on Gestation Days 6 to 17 and 6 to 18, respectively, and also to rats on Gestation Day 6 to Lactation/Postpartum Day 20. No adverse effects on embryo-fetal (rats and rabbits) or pre/postnatal (rats) development were observed up to the highest dose tested. During organogenesis, systemic exposures (AUC) to dolutegravir in rabbits were less than the exposure in humans at the RHD and in rats were approximately 50 times the exposure in humans at the RHD. In the rat pre/postnatal development study, decreased body weight of the developing offspring was observed during lactation at a maternally toxic dose (approximately 50 times human exposure at the RHD).
Lamivudine
Lamivudine was administered orally to pregnant rats (at 90, 600, and 4,000 mg/kg/day) and rabbits (at 90, 300 and 1,000 mg/kg/day and at 15, 40, and 90 mg/kg/day) during organogenesis (on Gestation Days 7 through 16 [rat] and 8 through 20 [rabbit]). No evidence of fetal malformations due to lamivudine was observed in rats and rabbits at doses producing plasma concentrations (Cmax) approximately 35 times higher than human exposure at the RHD. Evidence of early embryolethality was seen in the rabbit at systemic exposures (AUC) similar to those observed in humans, but there was no indication of this effect in the rat at plasma concentrations (Cmax) 35 times higher than human exposure at the RHD. Studies in pregnant rats showed that lamivudine is transferred to the fetus through the placenta. In the fertility/pre- and postnatal development study in rats, lamivudine was administered orally at doses of 180, 900, and 4,000 mg/kg/day (from prior to mating through Postnatal Day 20). In the study, development of the offspring, including fertility and reproductive performance, was not affected by the maternal administration of lamivudine.
Lactation
Risk Summary
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that HIV-1–infected mothers in the United States not breastfeed their infants to avoid risking postnatal transmission of HIV-1 infection.
Lamivudine, a component of DOVATO, is present in human milk. It is not known whether dolutegravir, a component of DOVATO, is present in human milk. When administered to lactating rats, dolutegravir was present in milk (see Data). There is no information on the effects of DOVATO or the components of DOVATO on the breastfed infant or the effects of the drugs on milk production.
Because of the potential for (1) HIV-1 transmission (in HIV-negative infants), (2) developing viral resistance (in HIV-positive infants), and (3) adverse reactions in a breastfed infant similar to those seen in adults, instruct mothers not to breastfeed if they are receiving DOVATO.
Data
Animal Data
Dolutegravir was the primary drug-related component excreted into the milk of lactating rats following a single oral dose of 50 mg/kg on Lactation Day 10, with milk concentrations of up to approximately 1.3 times that of maternal plasma concentrations observed 8 hours postdose.
Females And Males Of Reproductive Potential
Pregnancy Testing
Perform pregnancy testing in individuals of childbearing potential before initiation of DOVATO.
Contraception
Individuals of childbearing potential should avoid use of DOVATO at the time of conception through the first trimester of pregnancy because of the potential risk of neural tube defects [see Pregnancy].
Advise individuals of childbearing potential who are taking DOVATO to consistently use effective contraception.
Pediatric Use
The safety and efficacy of DOVATO have not been established in pediatric patients.
Geriatric Use
Clinical trials of DOVATO did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. In general, caution should be exercised in the administration of DOVATO in elderly patients reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Renal Impairment
DOVATO is not recommended for patients with creatinine clearance <50 mL/min because DOVATO is a fixed-dose combination and the dosage of the individual components cannot be adjusted. If a dose reduction of lamivudine, a component of DOVATO, is required for patients with creatinine clearance <50 mL/min, then the individual components should be used.
Hepatic Impairment
No dosage adjustment of DOVATO is necessary in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Score A or B). Dolutegravir has not been studied in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Score C); therefore, DOVATO is not recommended for patients with severe hepatic impairment.