Generic Actoplus Met

Currently, no generic Actoplus Met is available for sale. Unless circumstances arise to extend the exclusivity period for the medication, several drug companies are expected to manufacture a generic form as soon as the patent with Takeda Pharmaceuticals expires in 2011. Until then, do not purchase any so-called generic Actoplus Met products because these drugs may be fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous.

 

Generic Actoplus Met: An Overview

Actoplus Met® (pioglitazone and metformin) is a prescription medication that has been licensed to treat type 2 diabetes. It is a combination of two different diabetes drugs: pioglitazone hydrochloride (Actos®) and metformin hydrochloride (Fortamet®, Glucophage®, Glucophage XR®, Glumetza®, or Riomet®).
 
Actoplus Met is manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals. It is currently under the protection of a patent that prevents any generic Actoplus Met from being manufactured in the United States. Yet, if you search the Internet for "generic Actoplus Met," you may find a number of companies selling it. These medicines are fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. There may be generic Actoplus Met available from another country, but there is really no way of knowing if you are getting genuine Actoplus Met or not. You should not buy any generic Actoplus Met until there is an approved generic version available in the United States.
 

When Will Generic Actoplus Met Be Available?

The first patent for Actoplus Met currently expires in 2011.
 This is the earliest possible date that a generic version of Actoplus Met could become available. However, circumstances could come up to extend the exclusivity period beyond the time. This could include such things as other patents for specific Actoplus Met uses or lawsuits. Once Actoplus Met goes off-patent, several companies will likely begin manufacturing a generic Actoplus Met drug.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;