Generic Losartan

Although a generic losartan currently does not exist, it is expected to become available as early as 2010, when Losartan's first patent with Merck & Co. expires. However, if certain circumstances arise, such as lawsuits or other patents for the medicine, the exclusivity period of losartan may extend beyond 2010. Until an approved version is available, do not purchase any generic losartan products because these drugs may be fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous.

 

Generic for Losartan: An Overview

Losartan potassium (Cozaar®) is a prescription medication that has been licensed to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetic nephropathy. Losartan is part of a class of drugs called angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs for short). As the name of the drug class implies, losartan blocks angiotensin II receptors. This decreases the effectiveness of a chemical known as angiotensin II, which normally causes blood vessels to narrow (constrict). By blocking the effects of angiotensin II, losartan causes blood vessels to relax, which can lower blood pressure.
 
Losartan is manufactured by Merck & Co. It is currently protected by a patent that prevents any generic losartan from being manufactured.
 
Yet, if you search the Internet for "generic losartan," you may find a number of companies selling it. The fact is, these medicines are fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. You should not buy any generic losartan until there is an approved generic available.
 

Losartan Patent Expiration

The first patent for losartan currently expires in 2010.
 This is the earliest date that a generic version of losartan could become available. However, there are other circumstances that could come up to extend the exclusivity period of losartan beyond 2010. This could include such things as lawsuits or other patents for specific losartan uses. Once losartan goes off patent, there may be several companies that manufacture a generic losartan drug.
 
(Generic Losartan Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;