Generic Zerit

Generic Zerit is not expected to become available until December 2008 at the earliest. However, if you search the Internet, there may be several companies claiming to sell so-called "generic Zerit" products. Because these drugs may be fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous, you should wait until an approved version is actually available before purchasing any generic forms of Zerit.

 

Generic Zerit: An Overview

Zerit® (stavudine) is a prescription medication used in the treatment of HIV and AIDS. Zerit belongs to a class of medications known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (also known as NRTIs). Zerit is approved to be used only in combination with other HIV medications.
 
Zerit was first made by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. It is currently under the protection of a patent that prevents any generic Zerit from being manufactured in the United States. Yet, if you search the Internet for "generic Zerit," you may find a number of companies selling it. The fact is that these medicines may possibly be fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous. There may be generic Zerit available from another country, but there is really no way of knowing if you are getting genuine Zerit or not. Therefore, you should not buy any generic Zerit until there is an approved generic available.
 

When Will Generic Zerit Be Available?

The first patent for Zerit expires in December 2008. This is the earliest possible date that a generic version of Zerit could become available. However, there are other circumstances that could come up to extend the exclusivity period of Zerit beyond 2008. This could include things such as other patents for specific Zerit uses or lawsuits. Once Zerit goes off patent, there may be several companies that manufacture a generic Zerit drug.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;