Generic Actos

There is currently no generic Actos available in the United States. Although the current patent with Takeda Pharmaceuticals expired in 2011, it is expected that other Actos patents will provide protection from generic competition until at least 2012. Since some companies sell fake medications claiming to be generic versions, you should avoid any so-called generic Actos products until an approved version becomes available.

Generic Actos: An Overview

Actos® (pioglitazone hydrochloride) is a prescription medication that has been licensed to treat type 2 diabetes. It is part of a group of diabetes medications called thiazolidinediones.
 
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 may be 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 expired in January 2011.
 However, there is very good reason to believe that other Actos patents (which expire later) will provide protection against generic competition for this medication. Takeda Pharmaceuticals has settled several lawsuits about generic versions of Actos. In these settlements, various generic manufacturers will be allowed to start selling generic Actos starting August 17, 2012.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
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