VIROPIL TABLET

🧬💊🌍 Dolutegravir 50mg + Lamivudine 300mg + Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate 300mg: Powerful Triple Therapy for HIV Management

The fixed-dose combination of Dolutegravir 50mg + Lamivudine 300mg + Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF) 300mg is a once-daily antiretroviral therapy (ART) used for the treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. This triple-combination tablet simplifies treatment, enhances adherence, and provides potent viral suppression for both treatment-naive and treatment-experienced adult patients.

This regimen is endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a preferred first-line treatment due to its efficacy, resistance barrier, and favorable safety profile.

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🔬 Mechanism of Action

Each component plays a distinct role:

• Dolutegravir: An Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitor (INSTI) that blocks the integration of viral DNA into the host genome — a critical step in the HIV replication cycle.

• Lamivudine (3TC): A Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor (NRTI) that mimics natural nucleosides and incorporates into viral DNA, causing premature chain termination.

• Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF): Another NRTI, it inhibits the reverse transcriptase enzyme, which is essential for viral RNA to DNA conversion.

Together, these agents suppress viral replication, improve CD4+ cell counts, and slow disease progression.

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📌 Indications and Use

This combination is indicated for:

• Treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults and adolescents weighing ≥40 kg

• First-line therapy in ART-naive patients

• Effective in switch strategies for patients with viral suppression

Benefits include:

• Rapid viral load reduction

• High genetic barrier to resistance

• Convenient once-daily dosing

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💊 Dosage and Administration

• One tablet daily, with or without food

• Take at the same time each day

• Swallow whole; do not crush or chew

• Do not discontinue without consulting a healthcare provider

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⚠️ Precautions and Warnings

• Renal monitoring: TDF can affect kidney function; use with caution in renal impairment

• Monitor for lactic acidosis and hepatomegaly with steatosis

• Risk of bone mineral density loss with long-term TDF use

• May reactivate Hepatitis B if stopped abruptly — screen before starting

• Dolutegravir may increase neural tube defect risk if taken at conception (women of childbearing potential should discuss with a doctor)

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🤒 Common Side Effects

• Headache

• Insomnia

• Nausea

• Diarrhea

• Fatigue

• Rash

• Increased liver enzymes or creatinine

Serious but rare:

• Hypersensitivity reactions

• Kidney toxicity (TDF-related)

• Psychiatric symptoms (depression, anxiety)

• Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (IRIS)

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🔄 Drug Interactions

• Avoid co-administration with:

  • Rifampicin (requires dose adjustment)

  • Antacids containing aluminum or magnesium (space doses by at least 2 hours)

  • Certain anticonvulsants or herbal remedies like St. John’s Wort

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🧊 Storage Instructions

• Store below 30°C, in a dry place

• Keep away from light and moisture

• Store out of reach of children

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📝 Conclusion

The Dolutegravir + Lamivudine + TDF combination tablet is a highly effective and simplified ART regimen that offers strong viral suppression, low resistance risk, and improved adherence due to once-daily dosing. As a WHO-recommended option, it plays a critical role in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, empowering patients with manageable, life-long treatment.

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Always follow your doctor’s advice, dosage instructions, and never self-medicate.