Generic Rosiglitazone

At this time, there is no generic rosiglitazone (Avandia). This is because Avandia is protected by a patent that expires in 2012 (at which point a generic rosiglitazone could be manufactured and sold). However, there are other circumstances that could come up to extend that date past 2012, including lawsuits or other patents for specific uses of rosiglitazone.

 

Generic for Rosiglitazone: An Overview

Rosiglitazone maleate (Avandia®) is a prescription medication that has been licensed to treat type 2 diabetes. It is part of a group of diabetes medications called thiazolidinediones.
 
Rosiglitazone is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. It is currently under the protection of a patent that prevents any generic rosiglitazone from being manufactured in the United States. Yet, if you search the Internet for "generic rosiglitazone," 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 rosiglitazone available from another country, but there is really no way of knowing if you are getting genuine rosiglitazone or not. You should not buy any generic rosiglitazone until there is an approved version available.
 

When Will Generic Rosiglitazone Be Available?

The first patent for rosiglitazone currently expires in 2012. This is the earliest possible date that a generic version of rosiglitazone could become available. However, there are other circumstances that could come up to extend the exclusivity period of rosiglitazone beyond 2012. This could include such things as other patents for specific rosiglitazone uses or lawsuits. Once rosiglitazone goes off patent, there may be several companies that manufacture a generic rosiglitazone drug.
 

Is Rosiglitazone a Generic Avandia?

No, it isn't. Rosiglitazone is the active ingredient in Avandia, but it is not a generic version of the drug. 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 than 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) would make the product.
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;