Generic Symlin: An Overview
Symlin is manufactured by Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. It is currently under the protection of a patent that prevents any generic Symlin from being manufactured in the United States. Yet, if you search the Internet for "generic Symlin," 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 Symlin available from another country, but there is really no way of knowing if you are getting genuine Symlin or not. Therefore, you should not buy any generic Symlin until an approved version is available.
When Will Generic Symlin Be Available?
The first patents for Symlin currently expire in March 2011. This is the earliest predictable date that a generic version of Symlin could become available. However, circumstances could shorten or extend the exclusivity period for Symlin. This could include such things as other patents for specific
Symlin uses or lawsuits.
Is Pramlintide a Generic Symlin?
No -- pramlintide is the active ingredient in Symlin, but it is not a generic version of it.
What can be confusing is that, oftentimes, the active ingredient of a 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 another company besides the original manufacturer must make the product.
