A. General Tool
This tool provides holistic and comprehensive advice to patients undergoing TLD transition. This tool was adopted from the Clinton Health Access Initiative counseling job aid for TLD transition published in 2018.
Key DTG Counselling Messages What is TLD?
TLD is a pill that contains three medicines: tenofovir (TDF), lamivudine (3TC), and a new medicine – dolutegravir (DTG). It has several benefits. It is very effective for treating HIV, has fewer side effects than other medicines.
Take it upon waking up.
Take your TLD pill in the morning because DTG sometimes causes insomnia. This usually gets better after 1–2 months of taking the medicine. If it persists, please discuss this side effect with your clinician.
TLD can be taken with or without food
TLD can also be safely taken with or without food. However, taking DTG with food may increase absorption and this may impact side effects. Calcium (milk, dairy, green leafy vegetables) and iron (red meat, chicken, pork) can reduce absorption of your TLD medicine. This can be avoided by taking calcium or iron supplements 2 hours before or 6 hours after you take your TLD.
No interactions with birth TLD has no interaction with hormonal birth control methods. It is safe to take TLD control with any hormonal birth control method. Patients using a hormonal birth control method should also use condoms to protect against STIs.
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