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