Generic Atomoxetine: An Overview
Atomoxetine hydrochloride (
Strattera®) is a prescription medication that has been licensed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (
ADHD). Atomoxetine was the first nonstimulant approved to treat ADHD.
Atomoxetine is manufactured by Eli Lily and Company. It is currently protected by a patent that prevents any generic version the drug from being manufactured. Yet, if you search the Internet for "generic atomoxetine," you may find a number of companies selling it. The fact is that these medicines are fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. You should not buy any generic atomoxetine until there is an approved generic available.
When Will There Be a Generic Atomoxetine?
The first patent for atomoxetine currently expires in 2017. This is the earliest date that a generic version of atomoxetine could become available. However, there are other circumstances that could come up to extend the exclusivity period for atomoxetine beyond 2017. These circumstances could include things such as other patents for specific atomoxetine uses or lawsuits.
Once Atomoxetine goes off patent, there may be several companies that begin manufacturing a generic form of the drug.
Is Atomoxetine a Generic Atomoxetine?
The answer is no.
Atomoxetine is the active ingredient in atomoxetine, not a generic version of the drug. What can be confusing is that, oftentimes, the active ingredient of any drug is referred to as its "generic name." The generic name of a drug is different from a generic version of it.
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 have made the product.
