Comprehensive medication guide to Tivicay including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
With commercial insurance, Tivicay is generally covered but may be placed on a specialty tier; the ViiVConnect Savings Card can reduce your copay to $0, and Medicare Part D patients may pay around $73 per month.
Estimated Cash Pricing
Without insurance, Tivicay (dolutegravir) 50 mg costs approximately $2,800 to $2,925 for a 30-day supply, though discount cards like GoodRx or SingleCare can bring the price down to around $2,259 to $2,276.
Medfinder Findability Score
45/100
Summarize with AI
On this page
Tivicay (dolutegravir) is a prescription medication used to treat HIV-1 infection in adults and children weighing at least 3 kg. It belongs to a class of drugs called integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) and is always used in combination with other antiretroviral medications as part of a complete HIV treatment regimen. Tivicay is manufactured by ViiV Healthcare, a company majority-owned by GSK. It is also a key component of several combination HIV pills including Triumeq, Dovato, and Juluca.
Tivicay works by blocking a specific HIV enzyme called integrase. During HIV replication, the virus needs to insert its genetic material into the DNA of human immune cells. Integrase is the enzyme that performs this critical step. Tivicay binds to the active site of HIV-1 integrase and blocks the strand transfer step, preventing viral DNA from integrating into the host cell's genome. Without this integration, the virus cannot hijack the cell to produce new copies of itself, effectively stopping viral replication.
![Why is Tivicay so hard to find? [Explained for 2026]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fvur4atr4%2Fproduction%2Fa0851c1c5720b1e1fefcd47a053e8f9f53955230-1024x1024.png%3Frect%3D0%2C256%2C1024%2C512%26w%3D400%26h%3D200%26auto%3Dformat&w=828&q=75)
![How to Find a Doctor Who Can Prescribe Tivicay Near You [2026 Guide]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fvur4atr4%2Fproduction%2F2088d77ad81648ebdb90b7f85ec70685e6300cb9-1024x1024.png%3Frect%3D0%2C256%2C1024%2C512%26w%3D400%26h%3D200%26auto%3Dformat&w=828&q=75)
We have a 99% success rate finding medications, even during nationwide shortages.
Need this medication?
50 mg film-coated tablets
The standard dose for adults and adolescents, taken once or twice daily depending on treatment history and drug interactions.
5 mg dispersible tablets (Tivicay PD)
Designed for pediatric patients weighing at least 3 kg; dissolved in water before administration.
Tivicay scores a 45 on the Medfinder Findability Scale, meaning it can be moderately difficult to locate at your local pharmacy. While Tivicay is not currently listed on the FDA or ASHP drug shortage lists, the 10 mg and 25 mg tablet strengths were permanently discontinued in January 2024, leaving only the 50 mg tablets available. Because Tivicay is distributed through specialty channels, some patients may experience intermittent stock issues at retail pharmacies. Using Medfinder can help you quickly identify which pharmacies near you have Tivicay in stock.
Tivicay is most commonly prescribed by infectious disease specialists and HIV care providers. However, internal medicine physicians and family medicine doctors who manage HIV patients may also prescribe it. Because HIV treatment requires ongoing lab monitoring (including viral load and CD4 counts), patients are typically managed by providers with experience in antiretroviral therapy. Tivicay can also be prescribed through telehealth HIV care platforms.
No, Tivicay (dolutegravir) is not a controlled substance. It does not have a DEA schedule and is not subject to the prescribing restrictions that apply to controlled medications. It is a standard prescription medication that can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider.
Serious but less common side effects include hypersensitivity reactions (rash, fever, organ dysfunction), hepatotoxicity, immune reconstitution syndrome, weight gain, and elevated creatine kinase. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience signs of a severe allergic reaction or liver problems.
Know what you need? Skip the search.
Biktarvy (bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide)
A complete single-tablet INSTI-based regimen and the most commonly prescribed first-line HIV treatment.
Dovato (dolutegravir/lamivudine)
A two-drug complete regimen that contains dolutegravir with fewer components than traditional triple therapy.
Isentress (raltegravir)
A first-generation integrase inhibitor taken twice daily; available as a generic.
Cabenuva (cabotegravir/rilpivirine)
A long-acting injectable regimen given monthly or every two months, eliminating the need for daily pills.
Prefer Tivicay? We can find it.
Dofetilide
majorContraindicated; dolutegravir increases dofetilide levels via OCT2 inhibition, which can cause serious heart rhythm problems.
Rifampin
moderateRequires Tivicay dose increase to 50 mg twice daily.
Carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, oxcarbazepine
moderateStrong enzyme inducers that require a dose increase to 50 mg twice daily.
Metformin
moderateDolutegravir increases metformin levels; dose adjustment of metformin may be needed.
Antacids, calcium, iron, and magnesium supplements
moderateTake Tivicay 2 hours before or 6 hours after these products, or take together with food.
St. John's wort
moderateAvoid; significantly decreases dolutegravir levels.
Tivicay (dolutegravir) remains a cornerstone of modern HIV treatment thanks to its high efficacy, once-daily dosing, and high barrier to resistance. While the cash price is steep at nearly $2,900 per month, savings programs from ViiV Healthcare, discount cards, and patient assistance programs can dramatically reduce costs. With the discontinuation of lower-strength tablets, patients needing dose adjustments should work closely with their provider. If you're having trouble finding Tivicay at your local pharmacy, Medfinder can help you locate it in stock near you.
Medfinder Editorial Standards
Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
ChatGPT
Claude
Perplexity
Grok
Gemini