Generic Norvir

There are currently no generic Norvir products licensed for sale. While certain companies may claim to sell a generic version of the medicine, these products may be fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. Until an approved version of generic Norvir is actually available (once the patent expires in June 2013), do not purchase any of these so-called "generic" medicines.

 

Generic Norvir: An Overview

Norvir® (ritonavir) is a prescription AIDS and HIV medication. It belongs to a class of medications known as protease inhibitors. It is most commonly used to "boost" other HIV medications to increase the level of other HIV medications in the blood, making them more effective.
 
Norvir is made by Abbot Laboratories. It is currently under the protection of patents that prevent any generic Norvir from being manufactured in the United States. Yet, if you search the Internet for "generic Norvir," you may find a number of companies selling it. The fact is that these medicines may be fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. Generic Norvir may be available from another country, but there is really no way of knowing whether you are actually getting genuine Norvir. You should not buy any generic Norvir until there is an approved version available.
 

When Will Generic Norvir Be Available?

The first patent for Norvir currently expires in June 2013. 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 2013. This could include such things as other patents for specific Norvir uses or lawsuits. Once the patent expires, several companies will likely begin manufacturing a generic Norvir drug.
 

Is Ritonavir the Same as Generic Norvir?

No -- ritonavir is the active ingredient in Norvir, 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;