Switching from Biktarvy to Dovato...?

Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits > Questions About Treatment & Side Effects

(1/3) > >>

MrAlwaysAnxious:
Hello,

I hope everyone has been doing well. It has been about 7 months since I was diagnosed during acute seroconversion, and am undetectable.

I switched from Symtuza to Biktarvy about three or four months ago. I have been doing better on it than Symtuza, and haven't really had an issues with it. My doctor and I talked about switching to Dovato, and I was wondering if anyone had any experience with Dovato?

I am hoping it will have less side effects, but am also a little worried since I know very little about this drug.

Jim Allen:
Hiya

Dovato contains Dolutegravir + Lamivudine. It's two of the drugs in my regime.
Dolutegravir is okay, I love it but it's not everyone's cup of tea.

Since you are not having issues with the Biktarvy and have only been on it for a very short time was it the Doctor initiate the idea of switching again?

Jim

fabio:
What issues did you have with symtuza btw?
I will be getting symtuza,since its just one pill instead of the 2 i take. In my case it doesnt really do anything different.

FarmBoy:
Hi Mr Anxious

Glad to hear you are undetectable and doing well.

I switched to Dovato on July 1 after I used up my Triumeq which I had started on 3 years ago. I had asked my Dr. at my May 27th appointment if I could switch and he agreed to the change. As Jim stated, Dovato is a 2 drug version of Triumeq I already was taking but without the abacavir. There has been no difference nor issues for me in switching and I like the idea of taking fewer drugs for the same result.

One reason your doctor may be suggesting the change now is that Dovato (which wasn't widely available yet when you were diagnosed) is the first first-line, single-pill treatment option where the cost is cheaper than what was previously available. Dropping the abacavir reduced the price $750/month over Triumeq but also, its one less drug going into my body every day with no change in outcome.

It appears that both of these new combo pills are highly effective, have minimal side effects, are well-tolerated and neither has a food requirement.

The difference then is the cost. In the US, Bictarvy is listed at $3250/month and Dovato is listed at $2295/mo. or $11,500 less per year for the same outcome of suppressing the virus. So I feel that what any good doctor in the US should do is to consider the cost of treatment if all other factors are the same. (Dovato also is 1 less drug entering your body long-term). Outrageous drug prices in the US are a major contributor to the health insurance crisis in the US.

Gilead got a head start in approval and promoting Bictarvy. They know that most doctors won't switch patients. Also, I notice that they heavily advertise Bictarvy on TV in the evening in our market where Viiv doesn't spend the money on advertising Dovato on TV - so I assume that they also heavily promote their drug to the doctors to lock in their high price.

Both companies offer co-pay assistance for private insurance:
Bictarvy - $7200/year with no monthly limit.
Dovato - $6250/year with no monthly limit.

Since my max out of pocket on my company provided insurance is $6000/year, I don't pay any cost out of pocket for my medicine either way. So I see it as benefiting me by taking less medicine and saving my insurance almost $10,000/yr so hopefully premiums won't rise quite as fast.

Either way, it's up to you and your doctor to determine what's best. As for me, I've had no issues switching to Dovato.

MrAlwaysAnxious:

--- Quote from: fabio on October 11, 2019, 06:56:06 am ---What issues did you have with symtuza btw?
I will be getting symtuza,since its just one pill instead of the 2 i take. In my case it doesnt really do anything different.

--- End quote ---

Hi Fabio,

The only issues I was having while on Symtuza were higher-than-usual liver panel readings, gastrointestinal issues, and nightmares. I will say, I was taking this medication during an acute infection (seroconversion).

--- Quote from: FarmBoy on October 11, 2019, 11:07:19 am ---Hi Mr Anxious

Glad to hear you are undetectable and doing well.

I switched to Dovato on July 1 after I used up my Triumeq which I had started on 3 years ago. I had asked my Dr. at my May 27th appointment if I could switch and he agreed to the change. As Jim stated, Dovato is a 2 drug version of Triumeq I already was taking but without the abacavir. There has been no difference nor issues for me in switching and I like the idea of taking fewer drugs for the same result.

One reason your doctor may be suggesting the change now is that Dovato (which wasn't widely available yet when you were diagnosed) is the first first-line, single-pill treatment option where the cost is cheaper than what was previously available. Dropping the abacavir reduced the price $750/month over Triumeq but also, its one less drug going into my body every day with no change in outcome.

It appears that both of these new combo pills are highly effective, have minimal side effects, are well-tolerated and neither has a food requirement.

The difference then is the cost. In the US, Bictarvy is listed at $3250/month and Dovato is listed at $2295/mo. or $11,500 less per year for the same outcome of suppressing the virus. So I feel that what any good doctor in the US should do is to consider the cost of treatment if all other factors are the same. (Dovato also is 1 less drug entering your body long-term). Outrageous drug prices in the US are a major contributor to the health insurance crisis in the US.

Gilead got a head start in approval and promoting Bictarvy. They know that most doctors won't switch patients. Also, I notice that they heavily advertise Bictarvy on TV in the evening in our market where Viiv doesn't spend the money on advertising Dovato on TV - so I assume that they also heavily promote their drug to the doctors to lock in their high price.

Both companies offer co-pay assistance for private insurance:
Bictarvy - $7200/year with no monthly limit.
Dovato - $6250/year with no monthly limit.

Since my max out of pocket on my company provided insurance is $6000/year, I don't pay any cost out of pocket for my medicine either way. So I see it as benefiting me by taking less medicine and saving my insurance almost $10,000/yr so hopefully premiums won't rise quite as fast.

Either way, it's up to you and your doctor to determine what's best. As for me, I've had no issues switching to Dovato.

--- End quote ---

Thank you for sharing your experience with Dovato! I recently got it and found out my insurance covers the entire cost of the drug (it did not with Biktarvy and had to use the copay card). I feel a little better after just taking it for two days. I'll report back after about a month and after getting another VL test done!

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page