A patent currently prevents any generic Actonel from being manufactured in the United States. So-called generic versions may be available on the Internet, but the safety of these drugs is questionable. Generic Actonel is expected to become available in 2011, when the patent expires, although other circumstances (such as lawsuits) could delay this.
Generic Actonel: An Overview
Actonel® (
risedronate sodium) is a prescription medication used to treat both Paget's disease and
osteoporosis. It is part of a group of medications known as bisphosphonates.
Actonel is made by Procter and Gamble Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and sanofi-aventis. It is currently under the protection of a patent that prevents any generic Actonel from being manufactured in the United States. Yet if you search the Internet for "generic Actonel," you may find a number of companies selling it. The fact is that these medicines may be fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. Generic Actonel may be available from another country, but there is really no way of knowing if you are getting genuine Actonel or not. You should not buy any so-called generic Actonel until an approved version is available.
When Will Generic Actonel Be Available?
The first patent for Actonel currently expires in November 2011. This is the earliest possible date that a generic version of the drug could become available. However, other circumstances could come up to extend the exclusivity period beyond 2011. This includes such things as other patents for specific
Actonel uses or lawsuits. Once the patent expires, several companies will likely begin manufacturing generic Actonel.
Is Risedronate the Same as Generic Actonel?
No -- risedronate is the active ingredient in Actonel, but it is not a generic version of it. 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.
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