Generic Trizivir

There are currently no generic Trizivir products available in the United States. The medication is currently being protected by a patent that prevents any generic versions from being manufactured. This patent expires in December 2009, however, meaning other drug companies can begin producing generic Trizivir at that time.

 

Generic Trizivir: An Overview

Trizivir® (abacavir/lamivudine/zidovudine) is a prescription HIV and AIDS medication. It contains three different medications, all of which belong to a group of medications known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs).
 
Trizivir is made by GlaxoSmithKline. It is currently under the protection of a patent that prevents any generic Trizivir from being manufactured in the United States. Yet, if you search the Internet for "generic Trizivir," you may find a number of companies selling it. The fact is, these medicines could be fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. There may be generic Trizivir available from another country, but there is really no way of knowing whether you are getting genuine Trizivir. You should not buy any generic Trizivir until there is an approved generic available.
 

When Will Generic Trizivir Be Available?

The first patent for Trizivir currently expires in December 2009. This is the earliest possible date that a generic version of Trizivir could become available. However, there are other circumstances that could come up to extend the exclusivity period of Trizivir beyond 2009. This could include such things as other patents for specific Trizivir uses or lawsuits. Once Trizivir goes off patent, there may be several companies that will begin manufacturing a generic Trizivir drug.
 

Is Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine a Generic Trizivir?

The answer is no. Abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine are the active ingredients in Trizivir but are not a generic version of the medication. 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 would make the product.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;