Generic Viracept

There are no generic Viracept products available on the market at this time. The medication is currently under the protection of a patent that prevents any generic versions from being manufactured. When this patent expires (which could be as soon as April 2014), several drug companies are expected to begin manufacturing a generic Viracept drug.

 

Generic Viracept: An Overview

Viracept® (nelfinavir mesylate) is a prescription AIDS and HIV medication. It should always be used in combination with other medications for the treatment of HIV or AIDS. Viracept belongs to a class of medications known as protease inhibitors.
 
Viracept is made by Pfizer, Inc. The drug is currently under the protection of patents that prevent any generic Viracept from being manufactured in the United States. Yet, if you search the Internet for "generic Viracept," you may find a number of companies selling it. The fact is that these medicines may be fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. There may be generic Viracept available from another country, but there is really no way of knowing whether you are actually getting genuine Viracept. You should not buy any generic Viracept until there is an approved generic available.
 

When Will Generic Viracept Be Available?

The first patent for Viracept currently expires in April 2014. This is the earliest possible date that a generic version of Viracept could become available. However, there are other circumstances that could come up to extend the exclusivity period of the drug beyond 2014. This could include such things as other patents for specific Viracept uses or lawsuits. Once Viracept goes off patent, there may be several companies that will manufacture a generic Viracept drug.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;