Dovato vs. Juluca: Which one is Best for you to Take?
If you have been diagnosed with HIV, your doctor may have recommended either Dovato or Juluca as a treatment option. But which is the best choice for you? Let’s compare these two treatments and find out!
What is Dovato?
Dovato is a fixed-dose combination (FDC) medicine used in adults to treat HIV-1 infection, a virus that causes AIDS. Developed by ViiV Healthcare, it consists of two active ingredients: dolutegravir and lamivudine. Dovato is taken as one pill once daily with or without food. It has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration () for use in treating HIV-1 infections in adults who have not previously received antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Dovato works by stopping the replication of HIV-1, the virus that causes AIDS, so that it can’t spread in the body. The two components of Dovato work together to block two different pathways used by the virus to replicate itself, making it harder for the virus to become resistant to treatment. This reduces the risk of treatment failure due to drug resistance compared with taking either component separately. In addition, because Dovato contains only two active drugs instead of three or more like some other treatments, there are less side effects and interactions with other medications than those containing multiple drugs.
What is Juluca?
Juluca is a two-drug combination therapy for HIV treatment developed by ViiV Healthcare. It consists of Dolutegravir (Tivicay) and Rilpivirine (Edurant). This offers an alternative to traditional three-drug antiretroviral therapies, which can be complicated and have adverse side effects. Juluca works by targeting certain enzymes in the body that are key to the replication of the virus, blocking these enzymes so that the virus can’t reproduce.
Dovato vs. Juluca
Efficacy
When it comes to efficacy, Dovato and Juluca are both highly effective treatments for HIV. In clinical trials, both drugs were found to reduce the amount of virus in the blood to undetectable levels.
However, Dovato has been shown to be more effective than Juluca at reducing the amount of virus in lymph nodes and other tissues that are often not reached by antiretroviral medications.
Side Effects
Side effects vary from person to person, so it’s important to talk to your doctor about how you might react to each drug before making a decision. Generally speaking, both drugs have similar side effects such as headaches, muscle pain, and nausea. Some users also report fatigue when taking either medication. However, some people do experience more serious side effects such as allergic reactions when taking Dovato.
Cost and Accessibility
The cost and accessibility of Dovato and Juluca, two commonly prescribed HIV treatments, can vary depending on a person’s insurance provider. For those who are uninsured or have limited coverage, finding an affordable option may be difficult. Fortunately, there are patient assistance programs available that can help individuals access the medications they need at lower prices.
Overall, although Dovato and Juluca can be expensive for those without adequate health insurance coverage or financial resources, there are options available to make them more accessible and affordable. Through patient assistance programs and generic versions of these medications individuals can take advantage of lower costs while still receiving effective treatment for their HIV infection.
Conclusion
Both drugs are highly effective treatments for HIV but they do differ slightly in terms of efficacy and side effects as well as cost and accessibility options so make sure to discuss all of your options with your doctor before making a decision about which treatment is right for you! With the right information and resources at hand, you’ll be able to fight your HIV diagnosis like a champ!
