Generic Viramune: An Overview
Viramune® (
nevirapine) is a prescription
AIDS and
HIV medication. It belongs to a class of medications known as non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). Viramune is approved to be used only in combination with other HIV medications.
Viramune is made by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. It is currently under the protection of patents that prevent any generic Viramune from being manufactured in the United States. Yet, if you search the Internet for "generic Viramune," 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 Viramune available from another country, but there is really no way of knowing whether you are actually getting genuine Viramune. You should not buy any generic Viramune until there is an approved generic available.
When Will Generic Viramune Be Available?
The first patent for Viramune currently expires in May 2012. This is the earliest possible date that a generic version of Viramune could become available. However, there are other circumstances that could come up to extend the exclusivity period of Viramune beyond 2012. This could include such things as other patents for specific
Viramune uses or lawsuits. Once Viramune goes off patent, there may be several companies that will manufacture a generic Viramune drug.
Is Nevirapine a Generic Viramune?
The answer is no. Nevirapine is the active ingredient in Viramune but is not a generic version of the medicine. 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.
