Acriptega is a single daily tablet containing three antiretrovirals — dolutegravir, lamivudine and tenofovir disoproxil. It is a complete HIV treatment regimen in one pill, and the standard first-line treatment in South Africa. Taken consistently it suppresses the virus to undetectable levels, which also means it cannot be passed on sexually.
What is Acriptega?
Acriptega is a fixed-dose combination of three antiretroviral medicines in one film-coated tablet:
- Dolutegravir 50 mg — an integrase inhibitor, which blocks the enzyme HIV uses to insert its genetic material into your cells.
- Lamivudine 300 mg — a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI).
- Tenofovir disoproxil 300 mg — a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor.
Those three attack the virus at two different points in its life cycle, which is what makes the combination effective and makes resistance far less likely than any single medicine.
This combination is widely known as TLD — tenofovir, lamivudine, dolutegravir. It is South Africa’s standard first-line regimen and one of the most widely dispensed medicines in the country. It is supplied here by Viatris and by other manufacturers under different names.
It is a Schedule 4 medicine, taken as one tablet once a day.
What is Acriptega commonly used for?
Acriptega is used to treat HIV-1 infection in adults, and it is a complete regimen rather than part of one.
This is the practical difference from a two-drug product such as Hetemcit, which is a backbone needing a third medicine alongside it. Acriptega already contains all three. If you are taking Acriptega, you should not normally be taking additional antiretrovirals — and if you have been given both, check with your clinic before starting.
What consistent treatment achieves:
- Viral suppression. The virus becomes undetectable in blood tests, usually within a few months.
- Immune recovery. The CD4 count rises and the immune system rebuilds.
- Prevention of transmission. Sustained undetectable viral load means HIV cannot be passed on sexually — the principle usually summarised as undetectable equals untransmittable.
- A normal life expectancy, which is now the realistic expectation with consistent treatment.
Tenofovir and lamivudine are also active against hepatitis B, which matters when treatment is changed or stopped.
How Acriptega fits into this medicine category
Within HIV and antiviral medicines, Acriptega is a complete single-tablet regimen, and the distinction from other products in this section is worth holding on to:
| Product type | Example | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Complete regimen | Acriptega (TLD) | All three medicines; taken alone |
| Two-drug backbone | Hetemcit, Duotemtric | Needs a third antiretroviral alongside |
| Single antiretroviral | Lamivudine, tenofovir alone | Part of a regimen, never used alone |
| Other antivirals | Aciclovir, oseltamivir | For herpes, influenza — unrelated to HIV |
HIV treatment always uses medicines from more than one class working together. Using fewer than a full regimen allows resistance to develop, which narrows future options — which is why the single-tablet approach is now standard. See the HIV, antiviral and infectious disease medicines hub.
What to check before using Acriptega
Take it at the same time every day. Consistency is what makes antiretrovirals work.
Tell your clinician if:
- You have hepatitis B. This is important. Lamivudine and tenofovir are both active against hepatitis B, and stopping them can cause a serious flare of that infection. Anyone with hepatitis B needs a specific plan before any change.
- You have kidney problems, or risk factors. Tenofovir disoproxil affects kidney function in some people and is monitored with blood tests.
- You have bone thinning or osteoporosis. Tenofovir disoproxil can reduce bone mineral density.
- You are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding. TLD is widely used in pregnancy in South Africa, but the discussion belongs with your clinician.
- You take antacids, calcium, magnesium or iron supplements. These bind dolutegravir and reduce absorption — take them well apart, and ask your clinic exactly how far.
- You take metformin. Dolutegravir raises its level and the dose may need adjusting.
- You take rifampicin for tuberculosis, or carbamazepine — these reduce dolutegravir levels and the regimen may need changing.
- You take St John’s wort, which reduces antiretroviral levels significantly.
Weight gain has been observed with dolutegravir-containing regimens, more commonly in women. It is worth raising with your clinic if it concerns you, rather than stopping treatment.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
Take it every day. Missed doses allow the virus to replicate and are the main route to drug resistance. If you miss one, take it when you remember unless the next is nearly due — do not double up. Tell your clinic if misses are becoming frequent; they can help rather than judge.
Do not stop without advice, even if you feel completely well — and especially with hepatitis B.
Keep your monitoring appointments. Viral load confirms the treatment is working; kidney function tests catch problems early.
Expect some early effects. Headache, nausea, difficulty sleeping and unusual dreams are common in the first weeks and usually settle. Report them rather than stopping.
Tell every prescriber what you take, including over-the-counter medicines, supplements and traditional remedies. The antacid and mineral interaction is easy to miss because those feel harmless.
Seek medical advice promptly for persistent nausea and vomiting, unusual muscle pain or weakness, reduced urination, breathlessness, yellowing of the eyes or skin, or symptoms of an allergic reaction such as rash with fever.
Treatment is available free through South African public clinics.
Related medicine guides
- Browse HIV, Antiviral & Infectious Disease Medicines guides
- Read: Hetemcit used for
- Read: Duotemtric used for
Frequently asked questions
What is Acriptega used for? Treating HIV-1 infection in adults. It contains dolutegravir, lamivudine and tenofovir disoproxil — a complete regimen in one daily tablet.
Do I need to take anything else with it? No. Acriptega is a complete regimen. If you have been given other antiretrovirals as well, check with your clinic before starting.
What does undetectable mean? That the virus is suppressed below the level a blood test can measure. It means the treatment is working, the immune system can recover, and HIV cannot be passed on sexually.
Can I take antacids or calcium with it? Not at the same time. They bind dolutegravir and reduce absorption. Ask your clinic how many hours to leave between them.
What if I miss a dose? Take it when you remember unless the next is nearly due; do not double up. Frequent misses risk resistance — tell your clinic.
Can I stop if my viral load is undetectable? No. Undetectable means it is working. Stopping allows the virus to rebound, and with hepatitis B it can cause a serious flare.