Generic Arimidex

A patent currently prevents any generic Arimidex from being manufactured in the United States. The patent is set to expire in December 2009. However, additional patents for specific uses or lawsuits could cause this exclusivity period to extend beyond this time. Once the patent expires, several companies are expected to begin producing generic Arimidex.

 

Generic Arimidex: An Overview

Arimidex® (anastrozole) is a prescription medication used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It is part of a group of medications called aromatase inhibitors.
 
Arimidex is manufactured by AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals. It is currently under the protection of a patent that prevents any generic Arimidex from being manufactured in the United States.
 

When Will Generic Arimidex Be Available?

The first patent for Arimidex currently expires in December 2009. This is the earliest possible date that a generic version of Arimidex could become available. However, circumstances could extend this exclusivity period beyond 2009. This could include such things as other patents for specific Arimidex uses or lawsuits. Once the patent expires, several companies will likely begin manufacturing generic Arimidex.
 

Is Anastrozole a Generic Arimidex?

No -- anastrozole is the active ingredient in Arimidex, but is not a generic version 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.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;