Generic Janumet

Currently, generic Janumet is not available, because the diabetes medication is under the protection of a patent that prevents any drug companies from making a generic version of it until February 2019 at the earliest. Patents for specific uses for Janumet or lawsuits could extend this, however. As soon as the patent expires, a number of companies are expected to begin manufacturing generic Janumet products.

Janumet Drug Information

Generic Janumet: An Overview

Janumet^® (sitagliptin and metformin) is a prescription medication that is used to treat type 2 diabetes (also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes or adult-onset diabetes). It is a combination medication, containing sitagliptin (Januvia^®) and metformin (Fortamet^®, Glucophage^®, Glucophage XR^®, Glumetza^®, or Riomet^®).

Janumet is manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc. It is currently under the protection of a patent that prevents any generic Janumet from being manufactured in the United States.

When Will Generic Janumet Be Available?

The first patent for Janumet currently expires in February 2019. This is the earliest possible date that a generic version of the drug could become available. However, other circumstances could come up and extend the exclusivity period beyond 2019. This could include such things as other patents for specific Janumet uses or lawsuits. Once the patent expires, several companies will likely begin manufacturing generic Janumet.

Are Sitagliptin and Metformin Generic Versions of Janumet?

No -- sitagliptin and metformin are the active ingredients of Janumet, but are not generic versions of it. What can be confusing is that, oftentimes, the active ingredient of any 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.