When it comes to treating HIV, dolutegravir, a potent integrase inhibitor used in antiretroviral therapy to block HIV from inserting its genetic material into human DNA. Also known as DTG, it has become one of the most trusted drugs in HIV care worldwide. Unlike older medications that required complex dosing or caused harsh side effects, dolutegravir works with high precision, needs just one pill a day, and has a high barrier to resistance. That’s why major health groups like the WHO and CDC now list it as a preferred first-line treatment for most people starting HIV therapy.
What do the dolutegravir studies actually show? Large clinical trials, like the SINGLE and FLAMINGO studies, proved it works better than older drugs like efavirenz—fewer people stopped taking it due to side effects, and more achieved undetectable viral loads within six months. Even in people with prior treatment failure, dolutegravir-based regimens kept the virus suppressed where other drugs failed. Recent long-term data from the TANGO trial showed patients who switched to dolutegravir maintained viral suppression for over five years without new resistance. It’s not perfect—some studies raised early concerns about neural tube defects in babies when taken at conception—but follow-up research found the risk is far lower than first thought, and current guidelines support its use in women planning pregnancy with proper counseling.
Related to this are key concepts like antiretroviral therapy, a combination of HIV drugs that work together to stop the virus from multiplying, and HIV drug resistance, when the virus mutates and no longer responds to a medication. Dolutegravir’s strength lies in how hard it is for HIV to build resistance against it. That’s why doctors often choose it when patients have tried other drugs before, or when they want to avoid future treatment failures. It’s also a backbone of many single-tablet regimens, meaning fewer pills, simpler routines, and better adherence.
What you’ll find in the posts below aren’t clinical trial papers—they’re real-world guides that connect the science to everyday decisions. You’ll see how dolutegravir compares to other HIV meds, what side effects people actually report, how it fits into combination therapies, and why it’s become the standard in so many countries. Whether you’re someone living with HIV, a caregiver, or just trying to understand modern treatment options, these articles cut through the noise and give you what matters: clear, practical info based on what the research actually says.
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