Generic Avandia

A patent currently prohibits any generic Avandia from being manufactured and sold. There are places that claim to sell "generic Avandia," but these medications are fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. The earliest date that a generic version of Avandia could become available is in 2012, when the patent expires.

 

Generic for Avandia: An Overview

Avandia® (rosiglitazone maleate) is a prescription medication that has been licensed to treat type 2 diabetes. It is part of a group of diabetes medications called thiazolidinediones.
 
Avandia is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. It is currently under the protection of a patent that prevents any generic Avandia from being manufactured in the United States. Yet, if you search the Internet for "generic Avandia," you may find a number of companies selling it. The fact is that these medicines are fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. There may be generic Avandia available from another country, but there is really no way of knowing if you are getting genuine Avandia or not. You should not buy any generic Avandia until there is an approved generic available.
 

When Will Generic Avandia Be Available?

The first patent for Avandia currently expires in 2012. This is the earliest possible date that a generic version of Avandia could become available. However, there are other circumstances that could come up to extend the exclusivity period of Avandia beyond 2012. This could include such things as lawsuits or other patents for specific Avandia uses. Once Avandia goes off patent, there may be several companies that manufacture a generic Avandia drug.
 

Is Rosiglitazone a Generic Avandia?

No, it isn't.
 Rosiglitazone is the active ingredient in Avandia, but it is not a generic version of Avandia. Oftentimes, the active ingredient of a drug is referred to as the "generic name." The generic name is different than 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 another company (besides the original manufacturer) would make the product.
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;