Generic Actos: An Overview
Actos is manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals and is currently under the protection of a patent that prevents any generic Actos from being manufactured in the United States. Yet, if you search the Internet for "generic Actos," you may find a number of companies selling it. The fact is, these medicines are fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. There may be generic Actos available from another country, but there is really no way of knowing if you are getting genuine Actos or not. You should not buy any generic Actos until there is an approved generic available.
When Will Generic Actos Be Available?
The first patent for Actos currently expires in 2011. This is the earliest possible date that a generic version of Actos could become available. However, there are other circumstances that could come up to extend the exclusivity period of Actos beyond 2011. This could include such things as other patents for specific Actos uses or lawsuits. Once Actos goes off patent, there may be several companies that manufacture a generic Actos drug.
Is Pioglitazone a Generic Actos?
The answer is no.
Pioglitazone is the active ingredient in Actos but is not a generic version of Actos. Oftentimes, the active ingredient of any drug is referred to as the "generic name." The generic name is different from a generic version of a medicine. In order for there to be a generic version of a medicine, the original medicine must have gone off patent, and then another company (besides the original manufacturer) would make the product.
