Generic Glucovance

A patent currently prohibits any generic Glucovance from being manufactured and sold. While some companies claim to sell "generic Glucovance," you should be advised that these medications are fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. The earliest date that a generic version of Glucovance could become available is in 2020, when the patent for Glucovance expires.

 

Generic Glucovance: An Overview

Glucovance® (glyburide and metformin) is a prescription medication that has been licensed as a type 2 diabetes treatment. It is a combination medication containing glyburide (DiaBeta®, Glynase®, or Micronase®) and metformin hydrochloride (Fortamet®, Glucophage®, Glucophage XR®, Glumetza®, or Riomet®).
 
Glucovance is manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. It is currently under the protection of a patent that prevents any generic Glucovance from being manufactured in the United States. Yet, if you search the Internet for "generic Glucovance," 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 Glucovance available from another country, but there is really no way of knowing if you are getting genuine Glucovance or not. You should not buy any generic Glucovance until there is an approved generic available.
 

When Will Generic Glucovance Be Available?

The first patent for Glucovance currently expires in 2020.
 This is the earliest possible date that a generic version of Glucovance could become available. However, there are other circumstances that could come up to extend the exclusivity period of Glucovance beyond 2020. These circumstances could include things such as other patents for specific Glucovance uses or lawsuits. Once Glucovance goes off patent, there may be several companies that manufacture a generic Glucovance drug.
 
(Generic Glucovance Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;